Everyone seems to think that the best leaders, salespeople, athletes or performers in any business or endeavor utilize some mysterious formula or have secrets to which mere mortals are not privy. People think that because I was on the professional speaking circuit for years that I also must have some arcane knowledge that I'm not sharing.

Truth be told, the best do have a secret. According to James Dale, former President and CEO of the W.B. Doner ad agency, the secret is that when it comes to leadership there is no mystery, Shazam or secret. The same applies when it comes to speaking, or sales, sports, or any human enterprise.

Mankind has always known most of the simple truths. But we fail to make advances in our leadership, management and other endeavors because we simply fail to execute.

University of Florida football Coach Urban Meyer says "I have yet to be in a game where luck was involved. Well-prepared players make plays. I have yet to be in a game where the most prepared team didn't win."

But most of us don't plan, prepare, practice, and follow through. That's why we don't succeed.

Comedian and icon George Burns said, "I did practically the same act for 23 years. However, I never once did it on stage without first practicing in my room!"

Apply that rationale to your relationships, presentations, and other outreach. Planning, Preparation, Practicing, Presenting - that's the formula. There is no mystery, no secret, no hocus pocus. The magic is in the four P's! That's what gets you to the next level.

Ty Boyd, CEO of Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems, is in the Broadcast Hall of Fame and the Speakers Hall of Fame. He has taught public speaking and presentation skills to Fortune 1000 executives in more than 40 countries. Zipline is Ty's award-winning monthly newsletter. http://www.tyboyd.com/