Five Things People Never Say

“Wow, that meeting was great. I wish it was a lot longer.”

“I love how complicated you make everything sound.”

“It takes you so long to get to the point, and I love it.”

“Your presentation was really hard to follow, and I was totally engaged the whole time.”

“Your slide deck looked like a page from Moby Dick. I wish my decks looked more like that.”

These phrases, and many others like them, are things that no one has ever said… ever.

Instead the vast majority of people complain about meetings and presentations and slide decks that are never clear, never get to the point and never end on time. We all know how it feels to be on the receiving end of really bad meetings and presentations.

But here is an important question for you to ponder. What do people say about your meetings and presentations? Do you know? Are you sure?

Here’s how you can avoid being part of the problem. The rules are simple:

Be clear. Your first draft is never as clear as you think it is. It will take some thought and several iterations to get it right.

Be brief. Some detail is fine. The operative word is “some.” Rather than assume all the detail needs to be included, assume very little of it does. Make the detail have to earn its way in. Otherwise put it aside.

Be seated. There is almost no such thing as “too short.” Be the person who gives time back to your colleagues.

Have a great day.