If you have ever prepared a meal, a vacation, or even a business trip, you know how unproductive–and stressful–it is to try to think of everything you will need to do simultaneously. More likely you think in linear stages. For example, for the business trip, first, you decide where you want to go, then, who …
As the election narrows down to the conventions, we can expect more insults to be fired across the campaign bows. Anyone who is impressed with the current array of (juvenile, schoolyard, incredible, etc.) name-calling heard so far needs to read these famous insults to see what real imagination and wit can do (although John Boehner’s …
Does Serena Williams stop her tennis swing in mid-air? Does golf pro Adam Scott freeze after he makes contact with the ball? Would baseball pro A-Rod hit a home run if he stopped his swing at the point of contact with the ball? Of course not. These pros know the importance of follow through to …
Several years ago. I was running a presentation program for a leading investment bank. On a break, I said to one of the bankers, “You must really enjoy meeting all these CEOs and getting involved in such important deals.” He stopped dead, looked me straight in the eye, and said, “Hell (he used stronger language, …
Like some songs that you can’t get out of your head, I heard a phrase last week that keeps repeating itself in mine. Erika Karp, CEO, Cornerstone Capital Group, used it at a Financial Women’s Association program I attended at Bloomberg. She said, “Be the signal, not the noise.” Although a quick Google search shows that that …
At the end of a session, I always ask my coaching and workshop clients to think back on what we did and to identify the three best ideas they are taking away from our meeting. This forces people to reflect on what they just did and to connect with what resonated for them. (It also …
People always ask me where I find the content for this weekly blog. Not unlike comedians, I take my content from events and people I observe around me. For example, this week I watched an otherwise good client self-destruct because of the way he handled the conclusion of his presentation. Unraveling at the Close At …
Recall a great presenter you saw or heard and I will bet you he or she has a really High PQ. You’ve heard of IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Intelligence). PQ is Presentation Intelligence, the ability to keep listeners engaged and excited throughout a demo or traditional presentation and move them successfully to a …
Did you ever have this experience? You and a friend hear a speaker in either a business or social situation and you each come away with a different reaction to that person? You: “I thought he was really interesting!” Your friend: “How could you say that? I was so bored by him!” Who is right? …
On two separate occasions last week, I saw presenters in different industries struggle with a common problem: how do you get people to listen to what is essentially an explanatory presentation? Begin with the Outcome For example, in one case , the first presenter (Ted) was explaining a process change to colleagues and senior management …
This year’s Time 100 list has just been published, which raises an interesting question: how vividly can you capture who you are or what you do when you are presenting, networking, or meeting someone for the first time? Many of their Icons, Leaders, Titans, Pioneers, and Artists are given mildly engaging descriptions, e.g., Apple CEO …