10 Presentation Skills Top Executives Live By

"10 Presentation Skills Top Executives Live By"

In summary of Author Rob Sherman's article "10 Presentation Skills Top Executives Live By" has noted that effective presentation skills is not granted based on a professional title but is an acquired talent based on ones desire to learn to become an effective communicator.

Sherman's article defines ten presentation skills that top executives must have to develop a successful career. He believes that while many top executives run successful corporations, they are not reaching their full potential due to not being able to effectively communicate. Great leaders are brilliant speakers which is a skill that is acquired through learning.

Sherman's ten techniques to becoming a successful speaker are as follows:

1. Start with a bang

2. Speak in your natural style

3. Always "Work" The Room

4. Relax before you say your first word

5. Use an outline rather than read your speech

6. Use your own stories

7. Speak with passion

8. Make your ending as memorable as your beginning

9. Adequately prepare for each presentation

10. Recognize that speaking is an acquired skill

In conclusion, the author states that some of the best executives agree that there is a considerable amount of correlation between being a great speaker and their leadership influence. Although I agree however the author failed to show research to support his views, his knowledge is based on personal past experience.

Learning Takeaways

* Brilliant CEO's and leaders don't constitute brilliant speakers.

* Great speaking abilities can be learned with great practice and application.

* Having passion, participation and visual aids are key to a great presentation.

"How To Keep Discussions Short"

Author Jim Slaughter's offers discussion meeting advice from Theodore Roosevelt which states that to "Be sincere... be brief... be seated" keeps discussions moving. Additionally, Slaughter summarizes three procedural points from Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (1990 Edition) along with 7 suggestions that can be used to shorten any meeting discussion.

Slaughter pulls three points from the RONR 1990 as helpful restrictions on debate that apply to most meetings and conventions which are:

1. No one can speak more than 10 minutes.

2. No one speaks a second time until everyone who wishes to have spoken once. 3. No one can speak more than twice on the same issue.

Seven practical suggestions noted in the article are summarized as follows:

1. Announce the adjournment time before the meeting. 2. List starting and ending times for each discussion item on the agenda.

3. Set the discussion time prior to starting on lengthy issues.

4. Encourage new discussion by asking for speakers who have not yet spoken.

5. Alternate pro and con.

6. Ask for a motion to end discussion.

7. Set guidelines to limit the amount of debate and number of speakers.

In conclusion, the Slaughter highlights some great insights on keeping meetings brief, achieving desired meeting results