Have a big presentation? Learn to ice the cake; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 6/21/16

Matthew Gutierrez, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; Have a big presentation? Learn to ice the cake:

"On channeling nervousness...

Mr. English has taught public speaking for 15 years, yet he still gets “painfully” nervous before speaking to large groups. To lessen the nerves, he meditates, spending a few moments to be alone in his thoughts. He thinks of each speech as an opportunity to share something cool with his friends. Lowering the stakes makes the occasion more manageable...

On engaging your audience

Whether you’ve got a one-on-one talk or a speech in front of 400 people, think storytelling. Stories are powerful because they combine data and information with emotion. “The way to a person’s head is through their heart,” Mr. Carter said. “People buy into emotion.”

Stories paint even the most complex of topics in a new light. They can portray something new and enhance the message. Sometimes all it takes is a few seconds to connect an audience member with a story, Mr. English said."

Did Poor Communication Skills Do In Yahoo's COO?; Forbes, 1/17/14

Carmine Gallo, Forbes; Did Poor Communication Skills Do In Yahoo's COO? :

"New York Times reporters spoke to some of de Castro’s former colleagues, all of who described him as very smart. “They also said he was a poor communicator with an arrogant, abrasive manner.” One again we’re reminded of the critical role communication skills play in leadership. It’s why I write columns and books on the topic. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been asked to work with leaders who are described as smart, yet are uninspiring and unpersuasive.

Executives with poor communication skills don’t last very long while those who are committed to improving in the area outshine and, yes, often outsell their competitors. It’s the reason I stated in this earlier column that public speaking is the one skill that can boost your value by 50 percent in 2014. Good communicators also get noticed and rise through the ranks faster than average speakers. Two years ago I was invited by an executive at Coca-Cola to help improve his public speaking skills. Although he was a successful leader, he realized that being able to tell a more inspiring story and to deliver a more effective presentation would help him stand apart. Two years ago he was running a country division; today he’s running a continent for the company...

The point I’m making is that the most successful leaders I’ve met or who I’ve written about study the art of public speaking, persuasion, and presentations. They rehearse, they work on body language and vocal delivery, and they are relentless in seeking feedback on their performance. ”A person can have the greatest idea in the world, but if that person cannot convince enough other people, it doesn’t matter,” writes Gregory Berns in Iconoclast."