The Effective Executive

There is no argument that today’s executive is effective to the degree that he or she is able to communicate with other people.

The executive has to be able to speak to other people–one-on-one or one-on-many–in terms other people appreciate, in ways that move and motivate them, and in words and tones that are credible and non-menacing. The “exec” must present himself or herself as a role model, as well as convey the message of the corporation, company, or department.

Some people may be “born speakers,” others may have “learned on the job.” But everyone feels the need to do it better–examine the basics of public speaking and match performance to changes in the audience’s moods, expectations, and markets. Everybody can learn to make a better impression and communicate better. Our results prove it.

For the last dozen years I have been conducting a popular–and powerful–course for the Canadian Management Centre. It is called “Effective Executive Speaking” but I do not present all by myself. Originally I worked with Peter Urs Bender, Canada’s leading public speaker...