“Why are executive presentations so boring?” Unfortunately, I hear this question often. Corporate leaders rarely receive the honest feedback they need to become powerful and persuasive communicators. My friend Sims Wyeth wisely calls public speaking, “the number one tool of leadership.” Good presentation skills are no longer a nice skill to have; they can mean the difference between career life and death.
When you’re a leader, even if you have a communications department or an army of speechwriters working for you, YOU must be actively involved in the creation of your own presentations. Fortunately, even if you are not a born communicator, the strategies behind powerful presentations can be learned. As a leader who can speak publicly with confidence, you have the power to persuade, influence, and inspire others; build confidence in your corporate strategy; cultivate loyalty within your organization; move your team to action; and demonstrate to others why your products, services, and ideas are truly valuable.
You do not have to be perfect. You do have to be personable. Your audience needs to see the person behind the position.