Presentation Skills

A top writer’s good–and bad–habits

April 29, 2016
A Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist, Charles Duhigg has written popular books on making and breaking habits.

Limit your talking to make it count

April 15, 2016
When you’re in charge, you can monopolize a meeting. It’s easy to ramble and veer from the agenda as the chair of the proceedings.

Cut your meeting time in half

February 18, 2016

To figure out whether your goals are best served by a meeting, look at the alternatives. Can the work be accomplished other ways? Do you have clear goals for the meeting? Will the right people be there? Are you prepared?

Unleash your inner Ferrari

February 9, 2016
A presentation expert gives these tips on how to captivate your audience in public and in meetings.

Buy time when facing tough question

December 23, 2015
Leaders often get hit with tough questions. The way in which they respond can either reinforce their trustworthiness or leave others feeling dubious or even suspicious.

Light a fire under your audience

December 11, 2015
The next time you’re leading a meeting or giving a speech, turn your audience into participants. Let them steer the discussion in the direction they want to go.

Steve Ballmer wows his Clippers’ fans

October 27, 2015

In August 2014, Steve Ballmer purchased the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team for $2 billion. A few days later, Ballmer introduced himself to fans by delivering a 13-minute over-the-top speech. He acted more like a passionate cheerleader than a corporate billionaire.

6 ways to make meetings more productive

September 25, 2015

Staff meetings can prove hit or miss. If everyone contributes to a meaningful discussion of a relevant topic, then the gathering makes sense. But if the leader rattles on for 30 minutes, the rest of the group can resent the time wastage and yearn to return to work …

Convey bad news in good ways

September 18, 2015

When effective leaders need to deliver bad news, they dive right in. They speak clearly and don’t mince words. Follow these guidelines to convey your disappointment gently but firmly.

How Tesla’s CEO wows the crowd

August 6, 2015

As Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk delivered a presentation in May about the company’s new battery system. For 20 minutes, he spoke with an authenticity and enthusiasm that set him apart staid auto executives. What differentiated his speech?