The New Articulate Executive: Look, Act and Sound Like a Leader, 2nd Edition

Ten Things Never To Do

An autopsy of the professor’s embarrassing performance turned up the usual culprits. For the sake of economy, I will convert some of them into a short list of recommendations:

1. Don’t turn off the lights—especially right after lunch.

2. Don’t use word slides.

3. Don’t allow your presentation to dominate.

4. Don’t use slides no one can understand.

5. Don’t get off track.

6. Don’t bury your face in a script and read.

7. Don’t take up people’s time unless you have a message they can use.

8. Don’t hide from your audience.

9. Don’t speak for two hours—unless you know the rules of the game.

10. Don’t make a mushy mess of what might have been an interesting story.

Back in the days when people relied on slide projectors and overhead transparencies the list of no-nos ...