Presentation Skills

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?

Now this is how you pitch ideas

July 20, 2015

The story of how a Nabisco exec wowed senior management with her presentation on building the Life Savers brand is an excellent lesson in how to deliver a message.

Make your gestures come alive

June 23, 2015
Gesturing comes naturally to dynamic leaders. They use their body—head, hands, arms—to reinforce their message. Here’s how to go about it.

How to schmooze when it’s just not your thing

June 16, 2015
Even the most confident leaders may cringe when entering a crowded room of strangers. And introverts face special challenges. How do you make the experience pay off?

How to make your speech memorable

June 8, 2015
How many of them have you sat through, compared to how many you actually remember? Here’s how to leave a lasting mark.

Stop talking and start demonstrating

May 1, 2015

After Jason Curry invented a device to help deaf people communicate, he wanted to enlist the help of an influential entrepreneur named Jason Fried. So he showed up at an event that he knew Fried would attend. Yet rather than introduce himself to Fried and make a quick elevator speech, Curry took a different tack: He demonstrated his invention.

Take the stage with the skill of Steve Jobs

April 25, 2015
The basic principles of engaging listeners haven’t changed too much since the time of Aristotle, who described the three key elements of persuasive speaking long before the invention of PowerPoint and the wireless mic. Steve Jobs may not have intentionally adopted Aristotle’s list, but its wisdom sure found its way into his talks.