Laura Baxter - Dealing with Divas

Writing a book can be one of the most rewarding and daunting experiences, and for me at least, there is no way that I would have been able to do this on my own.

First and foremost, I would like to thank all of my clients and seminar participants over the years who have allowed me to have a glance into their lives. For their trust and willingness to share I am truly grateful.

Also, for friends, colleagues and teachers both in the operatic world and in the training world, thank you for sharing your ideas about this subject. It is amazing how many parallels there are between the operatic world and business, especially when it comes to divas! Larger than life personalities, insecurities, and the need for recognition are as present in business as they are in theater; they are just a little more subtle. I am grateful for wonderful new insights into these parallels!

There are several people without whom I can definitively say I would not have been able to finish this book. First, my book coach and slave driver Les Kletke. At the top of my manuscript were engraved the words: Les has NO tolerance for not writing! Without his patience and encouragement (and very clear views on the nonexistence of writers block!), I think I would have long since given up. Thank you, Les!

Also, I would not have been able to make it through the last stretch of this without a dear friend and colleague of mine from my Duke days, Suzanne Purtee. Suzanne has the unique combination of understanding both the music world and running organizations. Her input has been absolutely invaluable.

My deepest thanks also goes to Peter Stutz, Christian Reist, Ralf China, and the late Juergen Schoemen of the STRUCTOGRAM International in Switzerland and in Germany. From the time that I rst began to work with the Biostructure Analysis, I have been convinced that it is one the strongest tools available to understanding human nature. I thank Evelyn Wild and Norbert Milde for introducing this method to me and for their many insights on the analysis and working with clients. I especially thank Juergen Schoemen for the time he spent working with me on this book and for the clarity he provided.

I believe that success comes by surrounding yourself with networks that support you. These networks should be measured not only by the interactions and exchange of its members but also by how much they force us to grow personally and professionally. The following networks have helped me grow and learn and become a better person and performance coach because of it.

One of my greatest honors is be associated with the Evolutionary Business Council, an organization of thought leaders, authors, and speakers, who are dedicated to changing the world for the better. Its founder, bestselling author Teresa de Groisbois, together with Pam Bayne, have supported me in this remarkable journey in so many ways, I cant even begin to list them here. Thank you both for sharing your knowledge and experience, for keeping me on track, and for helping me build up a wonderful network of thought leaders, so that we can reach and help as many people as possible. You are truly an inspiration to all who come in contact with you!

Another integral organization to my development in business and networking is the Business Network International. I would like to thank our Executive Directors Wolfgang Thoma, Ina Heinl, and Armin Lediger for their trust and support, and I would like to shout out a thank you to Bacchus, Kerner, and the Team of Directors for being an important part of my growth. In addition I would like to thank Harald Lais, Michael Meyer, Gunther Verleger, Ivan Misner, and Graham Weihmiller for their tips, advice, and support during the production of this book. I especially appreciate the opportunity provided by Ivan Misner and the Author Mentoring Group team for insights into the entire book writing and publishing process. Thank you!

It is not possible to mention all of the people who have helped me in this process through encouraging words, an exchange of ideas, sharing of experiences, or actually reading through different drafts of this book. I would like to thank my Mastermind Group with Gudrun Reinschmidt, Daniela Borschel, Monika Ladwein, Ulrike Horky, and Claudia Sigel. I would also like to thank the Ladies Who Read (a lot more than I do!): Marly Schaule, Wendy Ran, Karen Christenson, and Jen Lauterbach. For encouragement and support in ways unimaginable, I would like to thank Robert Dilts, the late Dan Poynter, Leslie Carroll, Herbert Guggenheim, George Gopen, Margit Hertlein, Martin Limbeck, Lothar Seiwert, Renee Moore, Audry Wagner-Morales, Stephen McGahee, and my mother, Jane McGahee. For their assistance in so many ways, thank you to Marivic Aurea, Lana Santa Marie, and Marife Gaspar.

Last but not least, I would like to thank my family. It is not easy coming home to a person who seems to spend hours on the computer talking about deadlines or asking about syntax. Norbert, Stephanie, and Benjamin, you are my inspiration and strength. Your patience, sense of humor, and ability to keep me grounded are what keeps me going. With my deepest love, thank you.

Laura Baxter

April 2017