Recently, Barack Obama was “inaugurated” as President of the USA. There are many things that we can do, prior to starting something new, that will increase our chance of success, even if we don’t have a budget of $150 million-plus for the effort. We can work on expectations, preparations, and celebrations:
| Set Expectations: Remember that you are being hired to solve a particular problem. Because you were chosen over everyone else, there is an expectation that you will do a great job. Implication: the more honest and authentic you are during the selection process, the more realistic these expectations will be.
Preparation: What will you do the first day on the job? The first week? The first month? Thinking through these questions – even if your plans eventually change – will help you determine your priorities… and the questions you should ask. President Obama was able to use the time between the actual election to his inauguration to prepare, although he arguably started preparing well before the election was even called.
Celebration: You got to where you are because of your friends, family, workmates, and managers; in fact, this expanded circle may even see your success as a validation of their mentorship – so why not celebrate it? Another reason for celebration: starting something new is often scary, so why not get a boost of self-confidence, especially before you begin? Remembering those who helped you can be done in many ways – no need for an inaugural ball.
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This week’s action item: Expectation/Preparation/Celebration is not just for when you start a new job; use this model whenever you begin a new project, meet a new client, or do something for the very first time.
Note: The Make It Happen Tipsheet is also available by email. Go to www.RandallCraig.com to register.
Randall Craig
www.RandallCraig.com
www.ptadvisors.com
Even though you may be on stage when you are making a presentation, it is your audience that deserves the focus. They don’t care about you – at best they only care about how you can “solve their problem” – at worst, they want to be entertained. Changing focus to the audience doesn’t happen by accident – it requires preparation, both before and after the presentation itself:
Before the presentation. Ensure that you really understand the audience and their objectives. Answering a few simple questions can make a huge difference: Why are they there? Do they have to be? What are they hoping to learn or accomplish, as a result of listening to you? Of course, if your presentation is worth giving, it is worth rehearsing: your style and fluency should help deliver your message, not hinder it.
At the end of the presentation. The purpose of your audience is not to be a “receptacle” for your ideas, nor are they there to feed your ego. The mark of a successful presentation is one that causes something to happen: mindsets are changed, action is created, or decisions are made. So why not end the meeting with a focus on action? Here are a few ideas:
- Challenge each attendee to commit to doing one thing based on what they each learned.
- Ask each pair of people to share with each other their most important take-away from the presentation.
- Ask each person to write down an idea that you will compile and circulate.
- Gain agreement, as a group, as to the next steps and responsibilities.
While all of these ideas apply to group presentations, they are equally applicable in small group meetings, networking meetings, and even one-on-one meetings with your manager or staff.
This week’s action item: Run through these ideas prior to your next group meeting or presentation. It’s all about your audience: what you do before and after can change a good presentation into an impactful one.
Note: The Make It Happen Tipsheet is also available by email. Go to www.RandallCraig.com to register.
Randall Craig
www.RandallCraig.com
www.ptadvisors.com
