Digging out from winter

This month's blog post features news about a project I have been working on this winter, and a reminder to schedule all of your spring tune-ups.

More details available on the schedule for my Executive Communications Skills: One-Day Blitz!

Tips you can use!

Don't bury your lead
If you're doing any kind of Q & A,  it's best to get to the point right away. Don't embellish or feel you need to give lots of context. Answer the question as clearly and succinctly as possible. At worst, over-explaining can land you in hot water. At best, you'll bore the audience. Not much of a choice, is it?

Practice your zen face
If you've been told your face in repose makes you looks mean or unhappy, you're not alone! Lots of us look a little "frowny" when we're thinking. Get comfortable wearing a "zen face"—relaxed, not super-smiley or overly (falsely) enthusiastic—and those comments will disappear.

A word about PowerPoint
Don't! . . . unless you need those charts, graphs or maps—and then make sure they are big enough to be seen at the back of the room. Don't be lazy and just put your outline up. Find a thematic visual that reinforces your theme. Or just tell the story. Revisit my blog post to find out why.