Executive Leadership Communication Skills

Part Two

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During Part Two you will reinforce the skills you built in Part One and gain additional skills to:

Listen actively
Write and present effective Board presentations
Motivate people to think and act differently
Communicate on short notice

This page asks you to set goals for Part Two and provides an overview of the sessions.

Set goals

Here’s a quick reminder of the skills framework we introduced in Part One.

Intellectual dimension

Deliver messages that are clear, relevant, and convincing

Emotional impression

Create a connection, earn trust, and convey conviction

Physical skills

Engage with presence, body language, and focused energy

Name

First Name

Last Name

If your role has changed since Part One, let us know.

In what situations have you used the skills and tools from Part One? What was the result?

Since Part One, what has improved about the way you prepare for meetings and presentations?

Since Part One, what has improved about the way you conduct meetings and presentations?

What three skill areas would you like to work on during Part Two?

Overview of the sessions

Session 1

Opening

We discuss your experiences since Part One, current challenges, and Part Two goals.

Listen actively

You practice listening effectively, drawing out information, and helping a colleague to solve a problem.

Create a visual outline of a storyline

We reinforce the preparation tools provided in Part One and introduce a visual approach to structuring your storyline — to help you prepare more effectively, as an individual and as a leader of a team. You create a visual outline of the material you brought to practice.

Exchange feedback on visual outlines

You receive feedback on your visual outline — to help you create stronger written and spoken versions of this content for the next two sessions.

Session 2

Effective Board papers and decks

You bring in a Board paper and / or deck based on the same topic used for the visual outline in Session 1. We discuss what makes effective papers and decks at the Board level.

Exchange feedback on written material

You receive feedback on your written communication skills, with a focus on:

Are the message and storyline clear and compelling?
Are the supporting data points and examples convincing?
Does the design help the reader understand what is important, what needs decisions, and what needs action?

Grammar or other basic writing skills are not the focus here.

Session 3

Present the Board paper or deck

You practice presenting the same topic used in Sessions 1 & 2. Your colleagues role-play Board members, asking questions, interrupting, and challenging you. We make your first video

One-to-one coaching

You review your first video privately with a coach.

Session 4

Lead a discussion to motivate people to think & act differently

You practice a meeting about a change initiative or other innovation where other meeting participants see the world differently — for instance, they might be happy with the status quo, they might prefer investment be directed towards their own initiative, or they might believe in a different strategic direction.

You combine a collaborative approach and open questions to productively move people towards a more aligned view and, when possible, gain commitment to action. We make your second video.

One-to-one coaching

You review your second video privately with a coach.

Session 5

Communicate on short notice

You practice communicating about two or three different work-related subjects, with very little preparation time. Then you practice a completely spontaneous situation.

Commit to a plan

You identify a few meetings over the next couple of weeks and plan the skills you will apply in each one to increase your chances of success.

Questions?

Email us goals@mcalinden.com or call us +1 212 986 4950

About us

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