As you may know, I have talked and written about my dad and his WW2 service. He was in a cavalry division, I actually have a photo to prove it! In a very wide sense, he served under General George Patton, along with over 200,000 enlisted men. 

Let me make it clear, it’s not like they dined together in a foxhole. He was in the thousands that helped move the Lipizzan horses to save them from slaughter and extinction.

A very few trained Lipizzan stallions are sold and end up in countries around the world. When I was a little girl, a couple of these stallions were performing at the Medina Fair. I still remember the excitement of seeing them in person, this breed that my dad had helped save, in his very small way.

Perhaps you can imagine my anticipation as I arrived at the Spanish Riding School, located in the heart of Vienna for almost 300 years. As I toured the barns and watched a performance I could feel Herbie on my shoulder.

A fashion designer explained the procedure from fabric to finished product. As I listened and watched, although I possess no ability and no interest in sewing, I was fascinated.

Watching material tacked and chalked on its way to become a piece of haute couture, was just like creating a speech. My job is to weave words, thoughts and memories into a haute couture speech, toast, video or interview! Click the picture above to watch the designer with this piece of art!

Lessons From Vienna

1.  Our Hotel Had Been a Police Station

Sitting in bed working on this newsletter the first night in Vienna, I thought about the venue I was in as well as the city. I have always been uber interested in the Holocaust, my thesis topic. So I asked myself, during WW2, did Nazi’s sleep in my hotel room? 

Lesson Learned: Let me first say, Vienna was a lovely, CLEAN city. I found out that my hotel sat on ground that until 50 years ago, was a police station. A police station in the 40’s was probably an SS headquarters. A place I would have been taken for detainment, I now sit in 21st century luxury. And the lesson is?

2. When Bombs Fell

We talk a lot about “networking”, the value of establishing and developing relationships in our professional lives. The Lipizzan breed was saved during WW2 largely because of a relationship between General Patton, and Colonel Alois Podhajsky, head of the Spanish Riding School. They knew each other as they were both former Olympians, having competed in the 1912 Olympics.

Lesson Learned: Performing at the Spanish Riding School in the same location for 400 years, this product of a 1000 years of training is rewarded with a sugar cube! Correct execution of a command results in a cube, poor execution, no response. What consequences do you give?

3. Sisi the Empress of Austria

When I was going through the easiest and nicest customs, I asked the official if I was going to see one thing in Vienna, what would it be? She answered the Schonbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Sisi is still popular 100+ years after her death. 

Lesson Learned: Sisi’s strategy to stay youthful was to refuse to be painted after the age of 35. She didn’t wear earrings as a way of saying she was beautiful without any adornment. A memorable turquoise is everywhere in Vienna, an homage to her favorite color. What do you think you will be remembered for?

A highlight of any European trip for me is the dogs. Dogs everywhere. Little dogs, big dogs and everything in-between. Dogs are accepted in hotels, restaurants, and big shopping venues, little venues, and everything in-between. 

In Paris there is a department store on the Left Bank, Bon Marche. It is two huge buildings that are connected by a covered walkway. In one of the buildings, there are products for dogs that span prime footage on three floors. An array of product from personalized photo stickers to customized collars and everything in-between. 

As you arrive at each floor on the escalator, the railing is spotted with caricatures of dogs that are animated. With purchase shoppers are given a distinctive bag that says, “Je t'aime comme un chien, I love you like a dog”. Wherever you are in Paris, when you see the bag you know where that shopper has been.

This has to be a part of an amazing business plan. Kudos to Bon Marche, question to every other major retailer, why not you?

HorseTalk: Lessons in Leadership dates for 2025 

Welcome to the wonderful world of HorseTalk where magnificent 4-legged creatures will teach you more about your communication and leadership skills than you could learn in a decade . . . or even a lifetime.

Bring yourself to one of these dates or bring your whole team to the date of your choice.

• June 27
• July 18
• August 15
• September 19

Join us at these unique events by emailing Leslie at leslie@electricimpulse.com or calling at 330.607.5730.

Ask me about my 10 in 10!