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SULLY'S BLOG //


Mastering the Crucial Art of Persuasion
Purdue University, Mitch Daniels School of Business March 18, 2025 I recently received an appeal from the John Purdue Club to reactivate...

Kevin Sullivan
Mar 183 min read


Preparation Triumphs Over Authenticity in Communication Skills
Purdue University, Mitch Daniels School of Business Nov 13, 2024 Many believe over-preparation stifles authenticity, but the truth is...

Kevin Sullivan
Nov 18, 20241 min read


How Sports Bring People Together
Sports have a unique ability to unite people, creating shared experiences that transcend everyday life. From the Texas Rangers' World...

Kevin Sullivan
Jul 12, 20241 min read


DON’T BE HAPPY, PLEASED, THRILLED OR DELIGHTED IN YOUR QUOTES
For executives – and the comms professionals who at times draft quotes for them – it’s easy to fall into a trite opening sentence when...

Kevin Sullivan
Jan 3, 20231 min read


I'd Be Lying if I Said I Don't Have Interview Pet Peeves
I’d be lying if I told you that it was a good idea to frame up an interview answer around the concept of lying. Instead of saying, “I’d...

Kevin Sullivan
Dec 20, 20221 min read


The Answer to All Your Questions is Preparation
Legendary television producer Don Ohlmeyer once told then-Washington Post columnist Tony Kornheiser, “The answer to all your questions is...

Kevin Sullivan
Jun 30, 20222 min read


Olympics are Starting a Year Late, But Maybe the Timing is Perfect
“Americans are more divided than ever, gridlocked over social issues, race, gender and the economy,” according to an Associated Press...

Kevin Sullivan
Jul 23, 20214 min read


McConaughey: Preparation Equals Freedom
Over the years in media coaching I have run into executives who tell me they don’t want to prepare too much for fear of losing their...

Kevin Sullivan
Feb 24, 20211 min read


Here's a Great Question: How Do I Eliminate Fillers in Interviews
Over the weekend I heard a very sharp CEO interviewed on one of my favorite podcasts. While her overall performance was strong, she...

Kevin Sullivan
Feb 15, 20211 min read
Today, Empathy is the Key Connector and Curiosity is the Path to Empathy
At the outset of the pandemic, one of my goals was to read more books. Instead, I have watched more TV. My wife, Jo, and I have binged...

Kevin Sullivan
Nov 20, 20202 min read


4 Keys to Getting Your Commentary Published
In any communications setting, focusing on what matters most to your audience is always a good idea. This includes written commentary...

Kevin Sullivan
Oct 12, 20202 min read
A Leadership Lesson and Other Reflections on Working the 2000 Olympics
Sometimes I get asked to tell stories about my days working at the White House, which was a life-changing and humbling experience. ...

Kevin Sullivan
Sep 29, 20203 min read


Communication Landscape has Shifted, but Earning Trust is Still Paramount
Communication has traditionally been viewed as the art of persuasion. Buy my product. Vote for my candidate. Donate to my nonprofit. This...

Kevin Sullivan
Aug 31, 20203 min read


At Work, It's a "Team," Not a "Family"
A number of years ago the head of human resources for a large corporate client told me he was opposed to referring to the employees as...

Kevin Sullivan
Jun 13, 20201 min read


Podcast Recommendations for Communications Pros
I was recently asked by my longtime friend and colleague Joe Favorito to be a guest on the Columbia University Sports Podcast (CUSP). As...

Kevin Sullivan
Jun 1, 20201 min read
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