While most people assume that leaders are comfortable presenting, the skill set of public speaking can be a separate challenge. With Matt’s help, Alan offers simple, easy to follow pointers for leaders new to presenting. Related post: Presentation tips for new leaders.
Clumsy attempts at self improvement are better than smooth successes at nailing the status quo. A good, and immediate, example is feedback. We know (really, proven scientifically and anecdotally time and time again) that this is how to engage employees: Provide frequent, specific, behavior-based feedback that is more often positive than negative. I’ve never met … Read more
Let’s make the assumption that, as a leader, you’ve taken a number of human behavior assessments (like the Leadership Practices Inventory, Everything DiSC®, Strengths Finders or Myers-Briggs), and therefore you have some sort of description (or two or five descriptions) as to what kind of leader you are. What happens to those analyses after you … Read more
I once had two coworkers, Mark and Sally. In DiSC-speak, Sally was a high I, and used many many many exclamation marks in her e-mails. I am not exaggerating when I say that one of Sally’s e-mails could consist of three sentences and 13 exclamation marks. Mark, on the other hand, was a high D. … Read more
If you are a leader, it is your job to keep your people motivated, and stave off any demoralization.
But what if YOU lose your mojo due to some cranky folks in your organization? It’s so easy to be derailed by those one or two “downers” who complain, or scowl, or cross their arms at you all the time.
We are all ambassadors of every organization that we are a part of. Whether it’s our family, our workplace, our house of worship, our service club, our band, our athletic team, or our city/state/country, we are always “representing.” There’s a place in my town that serves food. Lots of people eat there. I don’t. Here’s … Read more
When presenting, stand still. Too much walking around makes your audience nervous and projects fear and nervousness. Also, when you stand still, it’s easier to make eye contact. If you’re talking longer than five minutes, it makes sense to deliberately move to a different place. Then stand there, feet shoulder width apart, looking at your audience.