The Woman Who Would "Leave No One Behind"
How One Great Speaker Inspired Not Just Audiences, But Colleagues
A few months back I was asked, “How are speakers inspired to do what they do? It looks like a lot of work!”
The question gave me pause, because frankly it is a lot of work. I have found that the best speakers are first inspired by their message. They have a deep expertise, unique experiences or significant insights that are worth sharing. A passion and perspective that they know will truly help others and ideally change someone’s life in some way for the better. Yet most of all -- speakers are inspired to be great by other great speakers.
Retired Colonel Jill Morgenthaler, a founding member of EDGE Women Speakers, was one of those great speakers. Earlier this year she passed away unexpectedly. Her impact as a military leader and as a speaker was enormous. Our EDGE speaker tribute is shared with tremendous gratitude for all that she contributed to the EDGE organization and to each of us as individuals.
How do great speakers inspire? How did Jill? Let us count the ways….
They tap their life’s experience to lead by example and they share that knowledge, over and over and over again:
“The greatest quote that Jill etched in my heart is: ‘Leave no man behind.’ Although it is a military slogan, Jill taught me to carry it through life. Whether it's an audience member who needs clarification or a friend who needs help, pull them up and take them along with you.”
- Nancy Depcik
“Jill taught me never to leave a question in the audiences' mind. Audience members will be distracted from your talk while they ponder the answer. Don't say that "something" happened to cause a chain of events or I will be wondering what that something was. Tell me what it was and move on so that I can give you my full attention.” - Carrie Lannon
“Jill made you feel like you could achieve anything, so long as you put in the hard work. Her military background informed everything she did. She reinforced: don’t just tell an audience what to do -- show them how. Whether it’s a process or approach -- show them the way.” - Jennifer Fondrevay
They push beyond their comfort zone to get continuously better at their craft:
“Col. Jill constantly explored new ways to deliver her message. At her encouragement, we went to The Moth, Improv Workshops and Stand Up Comedy Night where we participated in processes pushing us out of our comfort zones and benefiting our audiences. In these, and so many other ways, she was always a leader.” - Amy Segami
“Jill personified non-stop learning. She was always investing in new skills, new networks, new opportunities, and new experiences. Jill had an extraordinary gift for making you feel as if you could achieve whatever you set your mind to. It’s something I’ll never stop trying to emulate”.
- Allie Pleiter
They engage and enrapture audiences, enfolding them into their story:
“Col Jill was a master at audience engagement and participation when on stage and audiences loved that. She taught me to use an acronym to not only solicit participation from the audience but also to help them remember the key points of the presentation.” - Lynn O’Dowd
“Jill’s highly refined skill of storytelling was one of her gifts. I learned from her the power of well-crafted stories, how taking an audience through vivid journeys would bring them organically to your conclusion and they would always remember the point you were making”. - Debbie Vyskocil
In each and every way, Retired Colonel Jill Morgenthaler personified what a great speaker should be -- someone who inspired audiences around the world by her words and generously shared her expertise to make other speakers equally great.