One Great Meeting

Leadership Solutions: More Than Good

A good purpose does more than inspire your employees and impress your clients.

It tells the world that you deserve to be here.

Companies with a weak purpose could leave and no one would miss them. And in some cases, we would be better off without these companies.

What's the difference?

It's a matter of looking out or looking in.

A good purpose works to improve the world outside. Thus, it fosters strategies that produce long-term, sustainable gains for everyone.

A weak purpose, however, focuses on internal success. Thus, it fosters strategies that produce short-term gains for few at the expense of damage done to the whole.

Take a moment to reflect on the purpose for your business. How would you describe it?

Key Point: The only true success is one that produces sustainable results.

Much success,

Steve Kaye
One Great Meeting
714-528-1300

Meetings that matter. Workshops that work.
Website

blog

Leadership Solutions: Separation of Space

Some people make this mistake when giving a presentation.

They cross the boundary between their space and the audience's space.

And it's wrong.

Here's what to do.

Imagine a line on the floor. It should separate the stage, platform, or front of the room from the area where the audience sits.

Then stay on your side of the line.

If you want to interact with people in the audience, invite them to join you in your space.

Why?

When you mingle with the audience, you abandon your position of control. And you turn your back toward those who are now behind you.

Both of these reduce your effectiveness.

Your role when delivering a presentation is to communicate your message from a position of strength.

And you do that best on your side of the line.

Key Point: Location matters. And when speaking, it makes your message more powerful.

Much success,

Steve Kaye
One Great Meeting
714-528-1300

Meetings that matter. Workshops that work.
Website

blog

Leadership Solutions: Simple Answer

Question: Why do people hold bad meetings?

Answer: They imitate their bosses.

So, why do bosses hold bad meetings?

They're imitating their bosses, who have retired.

Bad meetings are thus a cultural sickness that is passed on from generation to generation.

Key Point: Examples start at the top. So, what example are you providing for those who follow?

Much success,

Steve Kaye
One Great Meeting
714-528-1300

Meetings that matter. Workshops that work.
Website

blog

Leadership Solutions: We Accept Dogs, Right?

Think about the last time that you saw a dog.

What do you recall?

Most likely you saw an animal that was fully committed to being a dog.

Now this becomes complicated because there are different types of dogs.

For example, if you saw a big dog, you probably saw one staring back at you with four paws firmly on the ground.

If, however, you saw a small dog, you probably saw one watching everything at once while moving quickly about.

And you didn't tell the dog (large or small) to behave otherwise. You just accepted that this was a dog being a dog.

So here is the question for today: if we can accept dogs for whom they are, why is it such a challenge to do the same thing for people?

You may have noticed that people are different, too.

Some are fast, others are slow. Some are direct, others are indirect. And so on.

Here's a friendly reminder to accept others for whom they are. Then find the good in what they're doing and talk about that.

You'll discover that everything becomes easier when you do.

Key Point: We're different. And that's a good thing because if we were all the same, they'd need only one of us.

Much success,

Steve Kaye
One Great Meeting
714-528-1300

Meetings that matter. Workshops that work.
Website

blog

Leadership Solutions: Where Does Time Go?

Have you ever reached the end of a day and wondered, "What happened to the time?"

Here's an easy way to answer that question.

This will also help you work smarter, balance priorities, and accomplish more.

Do this: Keep a log of how your spend your time.

That is, jot down quick (and brief) notations of what you did, when you started, and when you stopped.

Then at the end of the day review the log. Score each activity for its value. For example, you can note which activities:

1) Helped you make money.
2) Helped you increase skills.
3) Helped you build for the future.
4) Attended to personal maintenance.
5) Distracted you from things that matter.
6) Wasted time.

Then use your results to make better choices on how you spend your time.

Key Point: It's easy to waste time when you take take it for granted.

Much success,

Steve Kaye
One Great Meeting
714-528-1300

Meetings that matter. Workshops that work.
Website

blog

Leadership Solutions: Speaking Blunder

It was a good presentation until he said:

"My boss is an idiot."

Oops.

Admittedly, this is a small blunder. But small mistakes like this can ruin a good presentation.

If you say something like this, it shows that you can be negative. It also suggests that you can be judgmental and vindictive.

In any regard, statements like this work against you.

Now some of you may be wondering, "What if the boss really is an idiot?"

That's easy. Just tell stories about what happened. And let the audience form their own conclusions.

Key Point: Avoid petty insults. They make a bad impression.

Much success,

Steve Kaye
One Great Meeting
714-528-1300

Meetings that matter. Workshops that work.
Website

blog

Leadership Solutions: True Lies

Wait a minute! How can a lie be true?

Easy.

Lies become true when we tell them to ourselves.

And then they become very special lies. Because we will work very hard to construct arguments that support them.

This is bad for many reasons.

Certainly, we're fooling ourselves.

But worse, we're anchoring bad practices in fantasy. And as a result, we become less effective. Sometimes, this practice even leads to loss and failure.

So, take this as a opportunity to challenge your personal operating principles. Ask yourself, "What is the real truth on each?"

Or, explore what you would do if each were not true.

Here are some simple examples that I've heard:

"I have to crack a few jokes at meetings to liven things up."

"I have to drive my car to work."

"I have to watch the news on TV before going to bed."

"I don't need to prepare for presentations."

"I don't need to pay attention to what others say."

And so on.

So, what's on your list?

Key Point: Real truth always wins in the end.

Much success,

Steve Kaye
One Great Meeting
714-528-1300

Meetings that matter. Workshops that work.
Website

blog

Leadership Solutions: Choose Pain

Pain exists. It's a normal part of life. And thus it can't be avoided.

At first, this seems like a dismal message.

But, actually, it's good news.

Why?

There are different types of pain. And that means you can choose which one you want.

For example, consider something simple like setting a goal for a meeting.

This is painful. It involves effort: you have to think and figure out what the goal is. Then you have to find a clear way to express it.

Setting a goal also involves risk. Once you announce your goal, others will expect you to accomplish it.

And then some people may disagree with your goal. As a result, they may complain about your intentions, ask difficult questions, or start actions that prevent your progress.

All of this is painful.

So many people avoid setting goals.

And then they choose the other type of pain -- the pain of presiding over a pointless meeting. This leads to the pain of zero achievement and ultimately the pain of failure.

Key Point: The pain of disciplined effort is more rewarding than the pain of failure.

Much success,

Steve Kaye
One Great Meeting
714-528-1300

Meetings that matter. Workshops that work.
Website

blog

Leadership Solutions: Introductions Done Well

A good introduction reflects well on both the speaker and the introducer.

If you have been asked to introduce a speaker, here are seven considerations that will help you excel:

1) Be prepared. Write the introduction before the meeting. Then practice it so that you can say it easily and conversationally.

2) Be brief. The introduction is supposed to be shorter than the presentation. Ideally, an introduction should take less than a minute (or two). This limits the introduction to less than 120 (or 240) words.

3) Be selective. When describing the speaker's credentials, mention only the main achievements. For example, if the speaker has written 35 books, just state that "Our speaker has written 35 books" instead of reciting a list of 35 titles. And, yes, I've heard this done.

4) Be gracious. Your job is to introduce the speaker, and not replace the speaker. Save the speaker's content, stories, and humor for the speaker.

5) Be wise. Avoid setting extraordinary expectations. Regardless how well intended, these always work against the speaker.

And so never say something like: "Our speaker is the funniest comic on the planet." or "This is the most brilliant presentation you will ever hear."

6) Be smart. Ask the speaker to provide an introduction. Then take time to read and rehearse this introduction so that you can deliver it smoothly. Also, ask the speaker how to pronounce any unfamiliar terms.

7) Be consistent. Never announce changes in the program during the introduction. If changes do occur, talk about them as soon as possible before the program starts. Especially bad changes, for example, include, "We need to cut the time for this presentation in half." or "We'd rather hear about software development instead of market strategies." or "I hope our speaker leaves out all of the complex logic that appeared in the book."

Key Point: The audience and the speaker are relying on you to deliver an effective introduction. Take the time to prepare one that works.

Much success,

Steve Kaye
One Great Meeting
714-528-1300

Meetings that matter. Workshops that work.
Website

blog

Leadership Solutions: Introductions Made Easy

Suppose you have been asked to introduce a speaker. What do you do?

First, recognize that your introduction is a small presentation. As such, you now have an opportunity to influence an audience.

An introduction should answer three questions:

1) Why this topic?

Use this part of the introduction to show the audience how the topic applies to them. Provide background information, history, implications, consequences, and benefits related to the topic.

2) Why now?

Tell why it's important to hear this presentation today. Stress urgency, if appropriate.

3) Why this speaker?

Show why the speaker is qualified to speak on this topic. Mention accomplishments, experience, and history. Describe the person's credentials.

Note: In general, your job as the introducer is to sell interest in the presentation.

Tomorrow I'll provide seven important considerations that make an introduction effective.

Key Point: A good introduction makes it easy for the speaker to deliver a successful presentation.

Much success,

Steve Kaye
One Great Meeting
714-528-1300

Meetings that matter. Workshops that work.
Website

blog