MINNEAPOLIS, April 14, 2009 — When top corporate executives present to their boards this quarter, what is more important than the numbers, the data, the analysis or even the strategies?
"The most critical priority today," says Anett D. Grant, president of Executive Speaking, Inc., a global speaking coaching company founded in 1979, "is setting the right tone – that subtle integration of style and substance which establishes a commanding leadership presence, a compelling leadership vision and a dynamic sense of urgency."
To help establish the right tone, Grant advises executives to think beyond the words, the data and the charts and think more in terms of what role four key communication components play – the role of the storyline, the role of PowerPoints, the role of gestures, and the role of voice.
As Shakespeare professed that all the world's a stage and that one man in his time plays many parts, Grant believes that leaders can learn to set the right tone by applying this concept of roles to the key components of their communication.
The role the storyline plays is to establish the thinking at a strategic level.
When executives present chart after chart of disconnected data, they demonstrate fragmented thinking. "Executives without a strong storyline project the image of a reactor versus an actor," says Grant.
When executives establish the storyline, emphasizing the linkages between facts, they demonstrate that they have a coherent approach, the pieces fit together, the whole is greater than the parts, they have a strategy, and they are ahead of the curve.
The role your PowerPoints play is focus.
When executives present PowerPoints cluttered with data, they project an image of confusion. What are the critical indicators in that wallpaper of numbers? What ratios really matter? "The board can easily question the executive's ability to prioritize," says Grant.
When executives present PowerPoints with a clear focus, organized to guide the board's attention to the key points, they establish themselves as clear thinkers. "Charts must have a focal point," says Grant. "You must guide your board's attention to what is relevant."
The role gestures play is to demonstrate power.
When executives gesture unconsciously, moving their hands anywhere, anytime, any way, they project an image that is weak. "When gestures are floppy, unweighted, and uncoordinated," says Grant, "they show lack of engagement and raise concerns about the executive's ability to handle the pressure and be in control."
When executives gesture with strong, smooth movements, using their hands to create images of concepts, they communicate that they are in command – ready to face any challenge. "Power is the feeling that comes from the strength of the executive's movement," says Grant.
The role voice plays is to demonstrate conviction.
When executives speak in a monotone voice, they project an image that is flat, two-dimensional. They do demonstrate calmness, which may be great if the company's platform is truly burning. But in most situations they will be perceived as aloof and dull.
When executives speak in a rich, resonant voice they project an image of confidence, composure and passion. "A strong relaxed voice establishes a commanding leadership presence," says Grant.
By recognizing these roles, executives can set the right tone and face their real leadership challenge, or as Shakespeare says, "To be or not to be."
For more insights about the challenges executive face speaking to boards of directors, contact Anett D. Grant at 612-338-5748, http://www.executivespeaking.net.
Executive Speaking, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, coaches leaders from global companies including PepsiCo Inc., General Electric, DHL, Pfizer, MasterCard, Verizon Communications, Honeywell, SABIC, Novartis and Societe Generale.
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