President Harry S. Truman had a famous sign on his desk that read: “The Buck Stops Here.” A clear indicator that he accepted accountability for all the decisions of his administration. There are leaders like Truman in politics and organisations today, though not many. Accountability starts with honesty. Being able to set aside personal pride […]
Encourage Imagine that someone created a red pill that adds years to your life; it reduces the risk of having a heart attack or stroke; cuts your risk of Alzheimer’s disease by more than fifty percent; helps you relax during the day and sleep better at night; it doubles your chances of staying drug and […]
There’s a lot of excitement about artificial intelligence (AI) and the potential for robots to autonomously make decisions about what gets done, how it gets done, and who does it. As the technology fast approaches the dreams of science fiction, many professionals, blue and white colour workers are beginning to fear a future where their […]
“Where do you see yourself in five years time?” This insidious little question invites the interviewee to begin a little game that finishes as a belief built on sand. You guess what your prospective employer wants to hear, and then you give it to them. It’s almost as bad as your Aunt’s favourite: “What do […]
Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. Mike Tyson’s excellent response to a reporters question before his fight with Evander Holyfield. And isn’t that just true about all of the best laid plans we make? No plan survives contact with the enemy Attributed to Helmuth von Moltke in the 19th century. […]
Part 5 of our series on Being an Exceptional presenter takes us into the OW of KNOWing your Audience. Blame the ‘O’ for millions of people being fearful of presenting at all. And blame the ‘W’ for most presenters failing. It’s also why most telemarketing sucks. Both to receive and to do. To give your case the […]
If there’s one complaint I hear about a presenter’s skills from their boss or a their HR, it’s that they don’t adjust their presentation for their audience. And yet those presenters genuinely believe that they do adjust for their audience. So who is right? Well, they’re both correct of course. The presenter thinks they are […]
What makes Exceptional Presenter? It’s all about being “natural” or “charismatic”! It is, you’re right of course. So shall we mere mortals give up then? It is true that some people appear “natural” and “charismatic” when they deliver a talk or presentation. But they usually neglect to tell you the real secret of their confidence […]