Cyrus Tsui, CEO of Lattice Semiconductor, knows better than to try and
write his own speeches. He has very definite ideas about what he wants
to say, but often asks me to
help him craft the words.
This speech was especially challenging because it was delivered through
an interpreter
to an audience of Japanese dignitaries. Mr. Tsui asked
me to base his remarks on the
writings of Konosuke Matsushita.
"We are joined here to celebrate the transformation of our company into something exciting and new. I am reminded of what Konosuke Matsushita said, 'All things in the universe change, but they do not just disappear. New things are produced out of the things which perish. The old is gone, the new is born and develops.' "
Was he satisfied?
Our first few meetings were tentative and sometimes awkward. Once we established
the process, I was more comfortable in creating words that matched his
style, and Mr. Tsui
began to blossom as a public speaker.
Now, he calls me even when he needs to talk for five minutes at the annual Christmas party.
"I'm too smart to make a speech without help," he says.
