Leadership Matters

Mastering the Art of Introducing a Keynote Speaker: Tips for a Seamless Transition As a leadership coach, I’ve seen firsthand how a well-crafted introduction can set the stage for an impactful presentation. Here are some key tips to keep in mind when you’re introducing a keynote or second speaker: Know Your Role: Remember, your primary job is to introduce the other person. Keep it brief and focused on setting them up for success Have a Clear Structure: Start with a warm welcome, introduce yourself, provide a brief overview of the speaker’s credentials, and hint at what’s to come without giving too much away Introduce Yourself: Don’t forget to let the audience know who you are. A quick introduction helps establish your credibility and connection with the audience Engage with a Smile: A genuine smile and eye contact can go a long way in engaging your audience and creating a positive atmosphere Be Resilient: Think of yourself as the warm-up act. Your energy and enthusiasm can help set the tone for the main event Hint, Don’t Reveal: Tease the audience with what’s coming up, but leave the main points for the keynote speaker to unveil Pass the Baton Gracefully: Clearly hand over to the main speaker and then step aside. This ensures a smooth transition and keeps the focus where it belongs There is a reason why bands (and speakers) have support acts or at least someone to introduce them to the audience. It allows them to come out at full energy and deliver a great show. As the warm up act we need to keep that in mind. We can be the difference between a great start or a lukewarm beginning. Happy presenting! #LeadershipMatters #PresentationSkills #PublicSpeaking #ProfessionalDevelopment

Leadership has many forms. Sometimes we need to take a lead and help others to understand a vision that may go counter to their usual thinking. Sustainability is not a new concept but bringing that concept into the workplace and home on a daily basis to effect long term change takes leadership and vision. Leadership is more than just looking after the P&L or inspiring people to sell more of the company’s products. It is about leading people in a direction that is sustainable for the long term; and that can also mean the way we do business not just the business itself. Slow Food and Slow Fashion are concepts that may seem to go counter to a consumer and sales oriented business but can have profound and long lasting effects on a business and the consumers they serve. #LeadershipMatters #SlowFood #SlowFashion #Sustainability

The Multiple Personality Leader: Navigating Communication Styles Some leaders seem to have different personalities depending on the medium they are using. Clear in writing and all over the place in person. Or friendly in presentations and brutally direct in text messages. Here are some key questions to ask ourselves about our own communication: • Chameleon Communication: Are you serious and overly direct in emails, but relaxed and open in face-to-face conversations. • Mixed Signals: Do your friendly and supportive direct interactions, yet judgmental and critical when discussing you with others, send mixed signals to staff? What to aim for: • Consistency is Key: Effective leadership requires a consistent communication style to build trust and credibility. • Self-Awareness: Leaders should be aware of how their communication style varies and its impact on their team. • Authenticity Matters: Strive for authenticity in all forms of communication to foster a positive and transparent work environment. Navigating these dynamics can be tricky, but awareness is the first step towards improvement!

Sustainability is a necessity. Leadership Matters attended a thought-provoking sustainability forum organized by The Green Book in Taiwan. The discussions highlighted the transformative impact of sustainable practices across various sectors, including tourism, finance, and alcoholic beverages. Tourism: Dr. Gina Tsai of Green Book, Allessandra Turco of Slow Food Byron R of Pasona N A, Inc. and 黃偉傑 of Heping Island Tourism talked about how Embracing sustainability in tourism not only preserves our natural and cultural heritage but also enhances the visitor experience. Eco-friendly practices attract a growing segment of conscious travelers, driving long-term growth and resilience in the industry. Finance: 黃郁菁 from Visa in Taiwan shared that Sustainable Finance is reshaping the way we invest. By integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria, financial institutions are not only mitigating risks but also unlocking new opportunities for innovation and value creation. Sustainable investments are proving to be both profitable and impactful. Alcoholic Beverages: Terence Ong from Pernod Ricard shared that the alcoholic beverage industry is also making strides in sustainability. From sourcing ingredients responsibly to reducing carbon footprints in production and packaging, companies are recognizing that sustainable practices can lead to better products and stronger brand loyalty. The forum overall underscored that sustainability is a shared journey. By adopting sustainable practices, businesses can drive positive change, enhance their reputation, and ensure long-term success. This is Leadership showing us the way. #LeadershipMatters #Sustainability #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #GreenBook #Tourism #Finance #AlcoholicBeverages

Leadership is key to culture A thriving leadership culture hinges on three critical elements:   Leader’s Attitude and Culture: As leaders, our mindset sets the tone for the entire organization. If we believe we know everything and dismiss the potential to learn from our team, we risk stagnation. Embracing humility and a continuous learning mindset not only fosters personal growth but also inspires our teams to do the same. And just because you were successful in the past doing it "your way" doesn’t mean it will always be this way. Markets change, tastes change, media changes, consumers change. Open yourself to the world as it is now and invite your teams to teach you.   Curiosity and Openness Among Staff: A culture of curiosity and openness to learning is vital. When team members are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and seek new knowledge, it propels the organization forward. Stagnation occurs when curiosity is stifled, so let’s champion a culture where learning is celebrated. And be aware of this at the hiring phase. Ask questions that help demonstrate curiosity and a desire for ongoing learning. Create opportunities where staff can learn from each other about topics related or unrelated to work.   Nurturing New Ideas: Innovation thrives in environments where new ideas are welcomed and nurtured. Creating a safe space for creativity and expression ensures that fresh perspectives can flourish. Without this, even the most promising ideas may wither away, leading to organizational stagnation. As a leader invite opinions, welcome them and be prepared to accept ones that just might be better than yours.   By focusing on these three elements, we can cultivate a leadership culture that not only survives but thrives. Let’s lead with humility, foster curiosity, and create spaces where innovation can take root.   For interviews with Global Leaders feel free to go to our Leadership Matters podcast at https://lnkd.in/gNgF9ZhZ   #LeadershipMatters #Leadership #Culture #Innovation #ContinuousLearning #LeadershipDevelopment

Continuing our series on storytelling, let's look into how we can effectively report to management using the power of narrative. When presenting to leadership, it's crucial to structure your story around these five key elements: What is the Same Highlight the constants. What remains unchanged? And what do you bring that shows you are like-minded? This provides a sense of stability and continuity, reassuring management that core values and strengths are intact and in alignment. What is Different Identify the changes. And identify what you bring that separates you from the competition; other countries, other industries, other people. What new developments or shifts have occurred? This shows adaptability, responsiveness, and demonstrates your added value. What is the Greatest Strength: Emphasize your team's or project's strongest asset. What sets you apart? This is your opportunity to showcase your unique value proposition and build management confidence in your capabilities. What is the Biggest Opportunity Point out the potential. Don’t just report achievements. Talk about where growth or development can happen. If growth is off the table then talk about efficiencies or processes. Where do you see the most significant growth or improvement? This helps management focus on future possibilities and strategic planning. What is the Biggest Challenge Address the hurdles. What obstacles are you facing? Being transparent about challenges demonstrates honesty and prepares the ground for collaborative problem-solving. And no one likes surprises that they were never warned might be possible. By including these elements into your business narrative, you create a compelling report that not only informs but also engages and inspires management. Remember, effective storytelling is about taking the Audience on a shared journey. Bring them with you with clarity, connection, and driving action. #Leadership #Storytelling #BusinessStrategy #ManagementReporting #LeadershipDevelopment

Continuing our conversation on presentation skills, let's look into storytelling. We've all seen speakers who can just get up and start talking with seemingly no preparation—a so-called "weaving" approach to storytelling. In my honest opinion, it doesn't always work. Here are five key areas to focus on for effective storytelling in your presentations.   Know Where to Start and Finish   A great story has a clear beginning and end. Knowing where to start and finish helps you stay on track and ensures your audience follows along. Outline your key points and stick to them to keep your narrative focused and impactful.   Understand What Emotion You Want to Convey   Every story should evoke an emotion. Whether it's excitement, empathy, or inspiration, understanding the emotion you want to convey will guide your storytelling. This emotional connection is what makes your story memorable and engaging.   And you don’t always have to be funny. Some topics. And some people don’t lend themselves to being funny all the time. I was once accused of making light of everything. It’s a trap to think that laughter equals good storytelling. Engaging is better than funny.   Ask for Support from the Audience if You Need It   Don't be afraid to ask for support from your audience. Engaging them can make your story more interactive and relatable. A simple, "What do you think?" or "Can anyone relate?" can turn your presentation into a conversation. Allow some silence for reply. Or build a mechanism to allow the audience to discuss with each other.   Be Authentic and Honest with Your Audience   Authenticity is key in storytelling. Be honest and genuine with your audience. Share your experiences and insights openly. This builds trust and makes your story more compelling. And remember, although not necessarily everyone agrees, honest weakness and an ask for help can sometimes build trust way more than a display of strength.   Connect Your Story to the Topic at Hand   Stories are great. But, and I can’t emphasize this more strongly, ensure your story is relevant to your topic. Draw clear connections between your narrative and the main points of your presentation. This helps reinforce your message and keeps your audience engaged. Background Photos in the attached from Story Wear event on October 17th at W Hotel as part of Taipei Fashion Week. Brands need to tell stories as much as people do...   #LeadershipMatters #StorytellingSkills #PresentationTips #PublicSpeaking #EngageYourAudience #AuthenticLeadership #EmotionalConnection #EffectiveCommunication #PresentationSkills #InspireThroughStory

There is a lot to making a great presentation. It is one of the topics Leadershio Matters gets asked about most often. It’s a huge topic but here are just five simple things that we ask clients to focus on. Preparation This sounds like it should be obvious but often we see clients and seasoned professionals prepare the “slides” and then that’s it. They are done. Preparation is a lot more than just using Canva or PPT to make notes. Prepare your presentation. The deck should be done or at least refined AFTER you prepare. Practice You don’t have to deliver your speech a thousand times before you do it. And to be honest some spontaneity can add value to a speech. But at least know the flow. And get the opening and closing clear in your mind. People remember how you begin and how you end. The content, honestly, less so. Engage with the audience Just remember that there are people in the presentation. Engage with them. Make it a conversation with friends or trusted colleagues. Storytelling This helps in both memory and in delivery. Tell the story of what you want to share. Have an idea of development and reveal your thoughts over the course of ten minutes, 30 minutes, one hour or however much time you have. Overcoming Nervousness Often you will be told to practice breathing exercises and other mindful type activities for overcoming nervousness. All useful. But the key to overcoming nervousness is to shift your perception from the personal (you) to the public (the audience). Just share what you came to share. Think about why you are doing it and what you are delivering. And just share. I hope these tips help you deliver more impactful presentations! There are many other aspects to delivering great presentations. Let us know how we can help. …and check out the podcast for more sharing from great leaders. #LeadershipMatters #Presentations #Management #Storytelling https://lnkd.in/gNgF9ZhZ

Saying "no" in negotiations or to requests seems to be one of the hardest things for many early stage (and maybe a not so early stage) leaders to do. Here are some thoughts on how to manage those conversations. Preparation and Setting Your Boundaries Up Front   Before entering any negotiation, whether it's about the terms of a deal or requests for sharing information, it's crucial to know your limits. Clearly define what you can and cannot accept. This preparation helps you stay firm and confident when it's time to say "no."    Clarity in Communication   When you need to say "no," be direct and clear. Avoid ambiguous language that might leave room for misinterpretation. Whether you're declining a deal term or a request for information, a straightforward "I cannot agree to this" is more effective than a vague response.  Clarity beats out Culture, always.   Being Polite but Firm When It Feels Too Late   Sometimes, you realize you need to say "no" after the question has already been asked. In these cases, acknowledge the request respectfully but stand your ground. For example, "I appreciate your offer, but I must decline," works well for both deal terms and information requests.    Giving Reasons That Make Sense   Provide logical and understandable reasons for your refusal. Instead of citing "policy," explain the rationale behind your decision. This approach fosters respect and understanding. For instance, "I can't agree to this timeline because it would compromise our project's quality," or "I can't share this information due to confidentiality agreements." Moving On to the Next Topic Appropriately   After saying "no," smoothly transition to the next topic to keep the conversation productive. You might say, "While we can't proceed with that option, let's explore other ways we can collaborate effectively," or "Although I can't share that information, let's discuss how we can achieve your goals within the available parameters." The more you do it the easier it gets, but having (reasonable and clear) boundaries helps you do business better and in the long run will actually improve the respect business partners have for you. #LeadershipMatters #Communication #negotiationskills #sayingno

Is Referencing Dates in Follow-Up Emails a Power Play or Good Practice? One question that I frequently get asked is whether referencing specific dates in follow-up emails—like “as I mentioned in my email of September 3rd”—is a passive-aggressive power play or simply good practice. Here’s my take:  🔹 Clarity and Context: Referencing specific dates provides clarity and context. It helps the recipient quickly locate the original message, reducing misunderstandings and saving time.  🔹 Professionalism: It demonstrates attention to detail and professionalism. By being precise, you show that you value clear and organized communication.  🔹 Accountability: It holds both parties accountable. By referencing a specific date, you create a clear record of the communication timeline, which can be crucial for project management and follow-ups. However, it’s essential to strike the right tone. And as the author ask yourself the question whether you are providing clarity or just trying to prove a point. The goal should always be to achieve the best results for the team or project. Shouldn't it? And also ask yourself if it really matters if someone missed this particular email. A simple reminder directed to the person themselves may be better than the potentially judgmental "As I said in my email of September 3rd". Especially if you are copying (or suddenly adding in!) Senior Managers, colleagues, or clients. Here are a few tips to ensure your follow-up remains professional and courteous:  Be Polite: Always start with a (brief) friendly greeting and express appreciation for their time.  Be Concise: Keep your message to the point.  Be Constructive: Frame your follow-up as a way to ensure alignment and progress, rather than as a reminder of a missed action. In conclusion, referencing dates in follow-up emails is not about wielding power but about fostering clear and effective communication. It’s a practice that, when done thoughtfully, can enhance professionalism and efficiency in any workplace. What are your thoughts? Do you find this practice helpful or unnecessary? #LeadershipMatters #EmailCommunication #Clarity #Powerplay