by Steve Adubato, PhD

Recently Jim, a middle manager, was asked to give a presentation to other members of his team regarding a new project he was working on. Jim was asked to present an update on where things stood and identify areas where his colleagues could provide valuable feedback.

The first thing he did was distribute a thick handout with lots of detailed information about the project. There were numerous charts and graphs along with about 20 pages of text. Within 30 seconds of Jim’s presentation, half of the 10 other managers started thumbing through the handout. This clearly distracted Jim and from that point on he had a really difficult time getting the audience’s full attention.

by Steve Adubato, PhD

Last week I talked about how hard it is to be a good listener and I explored the benefits of improving listening skills.

This week, some concrete advice that you can put to work right away. So, forget David Letterman. Here are my top 10 tips for better listening:

by Steve Adubato, PhD

Previously, we have focused on some of the keys to motivating employees beyond giving them more money or a bigger office. Two of the motivators we highlighted involved giving more authority to people and providing direct feedback. This week we expand the list.

At a recent seminar on team building, I asked a group of professionals in a struggling company what truly motivates them to give it their all, even when they know the organization’s future is especially unclear. Here is a sampling of what they had to say:

by Steve Adubato, PhD

Talking about what makes someone a great communicator is one thing. Watching a masterful communicator perform his craft is quite another. Recently, I interviewed former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani at the Annual Yogi Berra Celebrity Golf Classic. Giuliani also gave a dinner speech to a crowd of several hundred of Yogi's friends and admirers.

Giuliani is considered by many to be a top-notch platform speaker, particularly on the subject of leadership. Yet, watching him speak at the Yogi event crystallized why he connects with his audience on a variety of levels.

by Steve Adubato, PhD

More and more people are either asked or required to make presentations--team presentations, group presentations, presentations that require professionals and others to work together and communicate in a cohesive, coordinated and compelling fashion. But presenting as a team can sometimes be very different than doing it alone.

by Steve Adubato, PhD

Most people think that motivating employees is largely about how much we pay them. This is a simplistic view, which isn't particularly helpful for team leaders and managers who are trying to get the most out of their people in these most challenging of times. First of all, most organizations don't have the money to simply give more to their people. Second, employee surveys have found that at best, money is a short-term motivator, which doesn't compare to a variety of other incentives that matter to most people.

by Steve Adubato, PhD

President George Bush's recent press conference provided numerous communication lessons for the rest of us who go into pressure filled meetings, conferences or conference calls. We are always facing difficult, sometimes hostile, questions from bosses or colleagues looking to score points.

The president is at his best when communicating in a relaxed, more conversational, tone. Like any chief executive, he wants to control the environment. That's why the president spoke for 17 minutes before taking the first question. This communication technique is an attempt to get your message out before your audience has a chance to reframe the discussion with questions or commentary built into the body of a question.