by Steve Adubato, PhD
Jane is an attorney in her early 30s, who is hoping to become a partner in her firm some day. She is smart, hard working, and a great team player…but she is scared to death of speaking in public. Jane is not alone. Millions of professionals face the same problem, or better yet, don’t face it and suffer through countless meetings, sales presentations and, what become for them, pressure-filled situations where they may be asked to “stand and deliver.”
In a recent coaching session with Jane, I asked her where this fear of speaking in public came from. At first, she insisted she didn’t know. She kept saying things like, “It’s just not my thing.” Then she told me she didn’t think it was “such a big deal,” or that it would get in the way of her making partner. Unfortunately, Jane is wrong. Her inability to communicate under pressure in public situations is a real problem. Her performance evaluations consistently refer to it. And her bosses at the law firm make reference to Jane’s “problem” on a regular basis.
by Steve Adubato, PhD
CEOs and other corporate executives are consistently asked to make public presentations. It’s a job of a leader in the corporate world to be the face and, yes, the brand, of an organization. The same thing is true for non profits, educational institutions, and every other type of organization.
But one of the biggest mistakes that leaders make when it comes to making these presentations is to rely too heavily on their “in-house communications team” to write a speech they are expected to effectively deliver. Don’t get me wrong. Communication and/or PR professionals have great value. But, from my coaching and teaching in the field of leadership and communication, I find that too often top level professionals approach the preparation process in a sloppy and inefficient fashion.
by Steve Adubato, PhD
Recently, I delivered a keynote speech for a group of students at the Berkeley College High School Business Forum. Set at the Papermill Playhouse in Millburn, hundreds of seniors were looking for some tangible and practical communication advice as they set out into the world, particularly when it comes to career choices.
One of the hardest things about speaking before such a group is to get their attention, much less keep it. I decided that instead of lecturing to them (which they are used to), a better approach would be to get them involved from the beginning. Simply put, to engage them.
by Steve Adubato, PhD
As leaders, we are often guilty of acting in a rash and hasty fashion. We make snap decisions on the spot based on frustration, confusion and fear.
Consider the case of a small business that was facing significant challenges in its sales and development operation. The demands on the organization were becoming greater in terms of its need to bring in more revenue and to take advantage of market opportunities and trends. Yet, the existing sales and development staff just wasn’t getting the job done. The CEO was getting increasingly frustrated, often lashing out and playing the “blame game” in his communication. He would say things like, “Why is it taking so long to get a meeting with Jim Smith? I asked for it a week ago. What’s wrong with you guys?” Or, “You’ve got to be kidding me. How could it be that we didn’t follow up? You made all of us look bad. Don’t you even care?” Very counterproductive communication.
by Steve Adubato, PhD
As I write this column, I am preparing to deliver a commencement address at Montclair High School. Delivering such a speech is a great honor, but with any public communication like this, it is important to remember that the event is never about the speaker when people come together to celebrate the accomplishments of others; it is about the audience.
This is true for a wedding toast, a seminar, an annual shareholders meeting or wherever someone is expected to communicate and connect with their audience.
by Steve Adubato, PhD
Recently at a charity banquet, one of the speakers started out his presentation by saying, “I know I was asked to speak about XYZ, but I decided I would just wing it tonight and see what comes out.” Well, let me tell you what “came out.”
by Steve Adubato, PhD
A friend recently sent me a video that demonstrated in a powerful and dramatic fashion how one person can connect with millions in the way he communicates. The video was from a recent episode of Oprah featuring Randy Pausch, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University and who was recently diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer. Randy, who is only 47 years old, was told he had only a few months to live and decided that he would deliver what would come to be called “The Last Lecture.” The father of three small children ages 5, 2 and 1, Randy appeared to be the picture of good health, yet the multiple tumors he had made his prognosis painfully clear.