How do stellar presentation skills impact your success at work? In every way. If you’ve ever wrestled with a presentation or communication snafu in an important meeting, you know what I mean. When leaders invest the time to boost their ability to present and communicate, they reduce miscommunication, increase employee engagement and raise their confidence level. Even the most seasoned leaders encounter presentation mistakes that can trip them up. Here are 5 mistakes you won’t want to make the next time you’re in the spotlight, including simple fixes you can use right away. What’s the good...

Fluid, consistent, approachable communication seems easy, right? Not always. Do try this back in your office: I like to use what I call a Communication SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) to help leaders plan their own strategy.  Here's the task:  Take a look at what your team does really, really well in communications and where everyone could benefit from improvement. Jot those ideas down, just as you see on my sample SWOT. Here's the secret: After you’ve noted your own ideas, put them aside and do the same thing with your team. This is an ideal way to see what they’re...

What first-rate communication skills do the best leaders need, right now? Today I’ll share 3 key tactics you - and every leader on your team - can use to get results. Unexpectedly, I learned them straight from the stage and here’s how these lessons can benefit you. A couple of years ago I decided to go back to class - acting class, that is, at a dynamic regional theatre in my area.  I took the plunge, figuring that my expertise, experience and platform skills as a speaker and trainer would speak for themselves. After all, I was used to being up in front of people and had studied theatre...