Definitions of leadership abound, ranging from managerial to visionary, from charismatic to stately. Most people agree that effective, authentic leadership requires a creative combination of substance and style. But schools and organizations typically emphasize the importance of substance and competency. The way we present our expertise to others, our “style,” is often a distant second, […]
Verbal Presence, the Media, and a Search for Wisdom
I am a self-confessed news junkie. On one level, I am simply interested in the happenings of the world: the good, the bad, and most recently, the very ugly. On another level, I am a voyeur of sorts, watching, listening and observing the drama of these happenings, and the manner in which they are […]
TechWomen: Emerging Global Leaders and Visual Presence
Ninety-eight women, all emerging global leaders in “high-tech” from the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa, crowded into a room at LinkedIn in Sunnyvale, California for TechWomen Impact Day. These women had never been to the United States before and their excitement was contagious. Their eyes sparkled and each of them had a bigger […]
After You Speak, Do People Remember? Visual Communication, Part 2
As promised in my September 15th post, here are some strategies to use when creating the specific kinds of materials you use before, during, and after you speak. Your Electronic Media Whether using PowerPoint or video, or simply leading a group through a computer presentation, you are communicating with pages—electronic pages. So all the […]
TechWomen: Mentorship, Leadership and Technology
The Leadership Style Center had the remarkable opportunity recently to participate in the TechWomen Conference, held in California’s Silicon Valley. TechWomen is a professional mentorship program and exchange program developed in response to President Obama’s efforts to strengthen relations between the United States and the Middle East and Africa, following the events of the Arab […]
What Orchestra Conductors Have In Common with Business Leaders
I recently had an aha moment while watching a televised concert of the three tenors, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and José Carreras. They performed at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome and were conducted by Zubin Mehta. While watching Mehta conduct I realized that conductors have a lot in common with business leaders. Conductors […]
After You Speak, Do People Remember? Visual Communication is Key
You’ve gotten great information from the previous two posts about how to communicate and reinforce your message as a speaker. First, you make a great first impression through Visual Presence, then you engage with your audience immediately and consistently through Verbal Presence. Now it’s time to consider how well and how long your message will […]
When You Start Speaking, Do People Listen? Verbal Presence After Visual Presence
Diane Parente discussed Visual Presence for Speakers in our last blog post. She emphasized that clothing and appearance is vital for leaders to create a positive first impression on stage to maximize the opportunity to be heard. I agree. When you are on stage, both how you look and what you say—or don’t say—influences […]
When You Speak Do People Listen? Stage Presence for Leaders
You are about to receive an award, give an important presentation at your company’s annual conference, or make a speech. You want to make sure you communicate your ideas clearly without your visual appearance distracting from your message. Your Visual Presence can lead an audience to tune in—or tune out—before you speak. Remember, you want […]
The Instant Credibility of Visual Branding
How do you pull readers into your printed or electronic pages, and then help them feel confident that they can trust your message? To get people reading at all, you must first snag their interest, and you have to do it within a couple of seconds. Creating pages designed to be easily scanned—providing headings […]
Respected Leaders Use the Power of Story
“Mommy, tell me a story and put me in it.” Anyone who has cared for a child knows how a story captures a child’s imagination, and engages her or his attention. Children listen to stories, remember them, and want them repeated over and over. Storytelling is one of the oldest—if not the oldest—form of […]
