Tip: #1 Do you or someone you know struggle with ADHD and find it difficult to explain how or why you have done something?As an Executive Communication Coach, I have noticed more and more clients sharing their struggles with ADHD. Often, this can lead to not receiving credit for their work or having a hard time explaining to others how to replicate their process.

If you resonate with this, try using a pen-and-paper mind map or audio recording app to capture your thought process in real-time. This can be a game-changer for those who struggle with the traditional method of writing updetailed plans or processes. Remember back in math class when you had to “show your work”? It may have been infuriating at the time, but it can be a helpful reminder to document your process for future reference.    ADHD people bring innovative strategies to the workplace (awesome!), but you can’t expect others to think the exact same way you do.

As coaches, we deeply respect and provide confidentiality regarding any communication challenges, so don’t hesitate to share any struggles or concerns with us. Let’s work together to help you communicate with confidence and ease!

Tip #2: Use Reflective Listening. Listening is critical in both personal and professional settings, yet it remains an elusive skill. However, cultivating deep listening skills can give you a superpower with colleagues, job interviews, direct reports, and even family and friends.     In our workshops, we teach a technique called Reflective Listening, which helps the speaker feel heard and understood. (There are always lots of laughs and personal stories in these breakouts, aka venting, about when people don’tlisten to us, from kids to dogs to spouses to direct reports!)

To practice Reflective Listening, start with a transition phrase like “I hear you saying…” or “From your perspective…” and then add verbatim or connect the dots to show that you’re truly listening, e.g.,” From your perspective, we need to have performance reviews monthly, not yearly.” This technique can improve communication in any scenario, from job interviews to family conversations.

If are interested in exploring advanced communication skills, save this post and tag a colleague who might want to practice with you. And if you think your team could benefit from this superpower, let us know. Our clients have found success in offsite events that build morale, team building, and communication skills. Over the next few months, I’ll be coaching in Boston, Los Angeles, and Toronto for client programs. Let us be part of your event to master updated communication skills!

Tip #3: Don’t get ambushed!Have you ever been put on the spot and didn’t know how to respond?

A C-level executive recently shared a frustrating experience she had during a group meeting with an outsider. While preparing for a Management Presentation, the banker put up a revised slide deck she hadn’t seen before and asked her to talk through a few specific slides. Feeling flustered, she stumbled through a response and later regretted how she handled the situation.

But what if there was a way to prevent this from happening? If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, try using this response: “Great, let’s take a look at this updated deck. Since this is the first time I’m seeing it, talk me through what we’re looking at and the type of feedback that would be most helpful to you.”

By taking a moment to process the information and respond in a helpful, brief, and polished manner, you can avoid being ambushed and stand up for yourself. Remember, only you can control how you respond in these types of situations. Confidence is key!

Tip: #4 Aim for the no-look pass in team presentations.Passing the ball back and forth smoothly, gracefully, and with ease is critical to any successful team game. And, it’s also crucial for team presentations.

In fact, one of my favorite sports moves – the no-look pass – can be a valuable technique for team presentations. Whether planned or spontaneous, passing the ball around (aka the content) can keep the listeners engaged and prevent one person from monopolizing the spotlight.

Remember to aim for that no-look pass next time you’re presenting as a team. Making team presentations look easy and conversational takes work!

Tip: #5 Three quick tips on Management Presentations. Preparing for (and surviving) Management Presentations can be one of the most difficult situations as a speaker. (Management Presentations are typical when a company is preparing to sell. They are often four hours long with a 50-page deck)

Recently, our team was brought in to help two companies prepare the leadership team for Management Presentations. Both teams performed exceptionally well, with one company having all nine potential buyers wanting follow-up meetings. Impressive!

Recently, I’ve spent time in Chicago and Boston for these clients and helped them with messaging, speaker style, brevity, clarity, and managing nerves.

Here are three quick tips to help you thrive in these fast-paced, all-hands-on-deck situations:

1. When in doubt, leave it out. If someone wants to know more, they will ask.

2. Be more succinct and specific. Use brevity in stories and answers. You must make your point quickly and then STOP TALKING unless you want the presentation to go from 4 to 6 hours.

3. Be conversational. On occasion, talk about your kids or how you personally look at the situation. Avoid getting right into the micro of the market growing at 7%, etc. The more conversational you are, the more you come across as a comfortable, dynamic C-level asset.

Welcome to my second annual blog on the best use of humor at global annual meetings across investment, private equity, and financial services. (For the first blog from 2025, click below)

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/eight-moments-got-big-laughs-annual-investor-meeting-sjrme/

As always, I spent most of May with some trusted colleagues, helping with speaker coaching for their annual investor meetings. After the coaching, whether for solo presenters, pairs, or business‑unit groups, we’re often onsite for the dry run and the event itself, timing each talk and capturing specific feedback for every speaker.

Even though most AGM speakers I meet with have been presenting for many years, even decades, the most impressive presenters are the ones still looking for feedback on small ways to add polish or impact.

What gets a room of smart investors- people who attend hundreds of meetings a year- to laugh?

Luckily, it’s not stand‑up comedy, telling a joke, or something random you found on the internet. I’ve done the analysis for you below to break down what gets a laugh and why. Use these ideas to add levity to your next update or presentation.

Here are eight of the best laugh‑out‑loud moments I witnessed at various 2026 AGMs. Details have been changed for client confidentiality, but the heart of each example is exactly what got the big laughs.

1. The callback to history

A leader opened by joking, “I presented this same slide to Jack more than a decade ago.”Why it works: shared history + institutional memory + self‑awareness + everyone loves a joke about slide decks.

2. The unexpected confession

A highly accomplished industry expert admitted he would never have predicted this career path given his poor grades. The room loved it.

In another segment, a speaker asked a difficult question and said, “So what’s the answer? (pause…) Well, even I had to ask Claude.”Why it works: competence + humility is an extremely likable combination.

3. Admiration disguised as teasing

“I was hoping she wouldn’t be at this meeting today.” Translation: this person is terrifyingly smart or a high performer, so we can joke that we don’t want her around while we’re presenting. Why it works: it gives a colleague public credit without sounding overly fawning.

4. The oddly specific origin story

Not the same old vague “we built a great partnership,” but the strange little story about where it actually started: “Tampa lightning storms, three delayed flights, a random introduction over $47 airport burgers…”Why it works:specificity makes people smile and remember.

5. The elephant in the room

“I’m aware we’re a bit behind schedule, and also that I’m the only thing standing between you and lunch.”

If the room is freezing, everyone knows. If lunch is late, you can feel the fidgeting. If your session title sounds like a doctoral dissertation, everyone is worried it will be dry. Why it works: a quick acknowledgment creates an instant connection.

6. The ‘we’ve all done this’ moment

“I was told by one highly esteemed CEO back in 2023 that ‘AI will always be completely unfit for professional use.’”

We laugh at outdated attitudes (smoking on airplanes?!), at how wrong we were about a deal, or at universally embarrassing human behavior. Why it works: shared recognition builds immediate trust.

7. The visual surprise

Unexpected old photos. A bingo card of impossible tasks. A before‑and‑after video. Rooms are visually starved, and most slides read like awful eye charts. Why it works: a smart image, video segment, or physical item immediately changes the energy.

8. The rule of three

This works because rhythm is effective, and using three items is effective in many settings.

“I didn’t want to pay airport coffee prices. I didn’t want another 4 AM alarm. And I definitely didn’t want to be the final speaker of the day.”

Why it works: catchy structure + acknowledging we’re all tired + unexpected confession = laugh opportunity.

I could have easily added more, but it’s a good challenge to stick to eight observations. Humor in senior rooms is rarely about “being funny” or telling jokes. We want to hear about your fears, missteps, inner dialogue, thought process, challenges, and failures. We want to be surprised. We want to learn. We want to feel connected.

If you can add humor successfully as a presenter, you’ve tapped into the thrill of true human connection. Give some of these a try and let me know how it goes.

I’m sitting in a meeting, internally rolling my eyes, because “Chad” has hijacked it again. At this point, his voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me, as he repeats the same tired axe that he always grinds. This meeting isn’t even about what he’s talking about! And I can’t help noticing that he’s wrong about some of the things he’s saying. I choose not to engage because I’ve learned from past attempts that it’s better to just sit through it than try to correct him and start an argument.

Have you ever worked with someone like this? Poor communicators such as “Chad” actively waste time and money due to their ineffective communication.

Effective communicationinvolves many skills, one of which is following the unwritten rules of communication. These rules are known as Grice’s Maxims, and they look like this:

Maxim of Quantity: Give as much information as required, but no more.

How it works: Avoids wasting the time of high-level decision makers. Keeps detail-oriented discussions at the right level of the organization.

What to do: Calibrate in advance on how much information the listener needs or wants to make a decision or move forward. Aim for less information when dealing with high-level decision makers.

Maxim of Quality: Try to be truthful and avoid giving false information.

How it works: Builds psychological safety and trust. Strengthens your credibility.

What to do: Do not “fake it till you make it.” Learn how to say “I don’t know” effectively.

Maxim of Relevance: Say things that are relevant to the current topic of conversation.

How it works: Keeps the meeting/conversation on task, allowing you to get things done.

What to do: Do not “hijack” the meeting/conversation with your own agenda. Use a “parking lot” for items that are not relevant now but need to be revisited later.

Maxim of Manner: Avoid ambiguity; be clear, brief, and orderly.

How it works: Eliminates confusion about what is meant in conversations and meetings.

What to do: Avoid jargon and “word salad.” Use plain English that everyone can understand. Plan ahead to organize your thoughts and how to say them.

The next time you’re glazing over while someone speaks at work or in a meeting, ask yourself: Is it the right amount? Is it truthful? Is it relevant? Is it clear? And then be a friend and share your feedback with the speaker at another time. Or send them to a good communication coach who can help them implement some changes! (I might know one.)

This is how you save time and money with communication—become more effective and help those around you do the same.

Bonus: It also saves you the pain of listening to the “Chads” of your office.

Just as breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day, analyzing who is listening to us speak is one of the most important parts of speech preparation. Unfortunately, as with breakfast, analyzing who is listening to them is a step speakers often skip.

Generally, when an executive is asked to be on a panel, give a keynote, appear on a podcast, or even present to a board of directors, they go straight to content. While this is not incorrect, if you do so without considering the listener’s needs, your impact will not be as strong.

You may be asking, “So, how do I make sure I get this right?” Here are some simple tips for understanding your listener.

Think about the listener, not yourself.

Much like grabbing a coffee on the go seems like a good breakfast replacement, it’s easy to fall into a trap of obsessing over the content you believe you need to cover. The time that it takes can cover as much as doomscrolling on social media.

Aristotle gave some great advice: Focus on the people you’re addressing.

Ask yourself: Who are my listeners? What is their demographic *age, race, gender, orientation, education, etc. How many will be listening? What is their prior knowledge of my topic? Why should they listen to you? What’s in it for them? How will what you are speaking about help them?

Before you begin preparing, consider your overall goal. Do you want to inspire? teach? inform? persuade?

Taking all of this into consideration before you write will help you focus on the listener rather than yourself.

They connect with their listeners’ emotions.

That coffee on the go may bring you happiness, but how does it impact those around you? When preparing for a presentation, in your mind, the subject of your talk may be quarterly sales, company policy, or your amazing invention. Your audience, however, is focused on an entirely different topic; why does all this matter to them?

Aristotle identifies pathos as one of the three essential modes of proof by his statement that “to understand the emotions”.

To be a successful speaker, you need to add the persuasive element of Pathos into your presentation, rather than rambling about what you feel is important. Talk with your listener. Bring them into the subject. Make them feel the benefit you’re giving them through your presentation. Make an emotional connection with them.

Using emotional connection through your word choice will give you a greater impact on your listener.

They speak in their listeners’ language.

Whether you order an Espresso, a latte, or an Americano, there’s no arguing that it is created from coffee beans. Getting your audience to accept your words and ideas depends on how credible they find you.

“When speakers behave inappropriately,” wrote Aristotle, “their credibility is questioned even when they speak the truth.”

Credibility not only comes from status and source citations, but also from word choice and physical presence while presenting.

If your listener thinks in kilometers, don’t explain something in miles. If they work in spreadsheets, don’t speak in metaphors alone. If they’re parents, show them how it affects families. If they’re scientists, show them the data.

It’s less about changing your message and more about translating it.

In the end, great speaking isn’t about having the most slides, the smartest data, or the sharpest soundbite. It’s about resonance. As Aristotle understood centuries ago, persuasion lives at the intersection of logic, credibility, and emotion, but all three only matter if they land with the listener.

A balanced breakfast fuels you. A listener-centered message fuels impact.

Credibility is a building block for many communication goals, such as persuading, educating, and informing others. Whether you are pitching to a VC, working to develop new partnerships, or convincing a patient to listen to your medical advice, establishing and strengthening your credibility lays a strong foundation to help you reach your communication goals.

In a previous blog, I explained how to boost your credibility through the content you deliver. A second way to boost your credibility is with your delivery of that content. You can demonstrate the elements of credibility: your expertise, trustworthiness, and goodwill, simply by the way that you speak, move, and gesture.

First, delivering with confidence will show your expertise. Speaking with the confidence you have rightfully earned as an expert in your subject will go a long way toward being viewed as a credible source. For example, learning to manage the nerves that lead to a shaky voice can make all the difference in sounding confident. One of the most important things I do with clients is to watch them speak and identify elements of their delivery that we can strengthen together.

Second, speaking comfortably and confidently in front of others shows that you are trustworthy. Recently, I saw a new dermatologist and although he seemed to know his stuff about skin, he also seemed nervous talking to me. If I had been coaching him, I would suggest he practice making eye contact. Appearing nervous can take away from a speaker’s trustworthiness.

Third, goodwill can be shown in delivery by employing the proper tone, showing your passion for the subject, and nonverbally demonstrating care for the listeners. If you are a financial planner, you need to choose when to take a serious tone. For many people, money is a serious topic, so ensuring that your passion for this topic takes on a serious tone will establish that you have goodwill toward the listeners.

There are many ways to build credibility. Consider how you can demonstrate expertise, trustworthiness, and goodwill in the way you speak and move. If you aren’t sure what elements of your delivery need to be changed or improved, a communication coach makes an excellent partner in identifying and strengthening how you come across to listeners.

When there’s a consistent communication disconnect between you and someone on your team, no matter who reports to whom, there’s a good chance that threat and defensiveness are at play. Often, it’s not even conscious.

Competition and negative reinforcement can drive short-term performance, but long-term success depends on opening communication channels.

Start by asking yourself: What about me might be threatening to this person? The answer can be surprising.

Maybe they admire you yet feel intimidated by your abilities.

Maybe you speak too quickly… jump through too many technical details… or come across as too brief in conversation. Even small patterns can create unintended tension.

Once you have an idea, make a small adjustment.

Slow your speaking rate, pause longer before responding.

For example: briefly explain why a request matters.

Sometimes it’s as simple as softening your tone, offering a smile, or acknowledging their point before moving forward.

These subtle cues build psychological safety. When they notice your effort, they’ll appreciate it, even if it’s a bit awkward.

Then, take it one step further: validate them by first observing closely what they emphasize when making decisions and noting details they care about. Listen for repeated themes, ask clarifying questions if needed, and reflect back what you notice. Next, find one small, consistent thing they do (especially something others probably overlook) and express genuine appreciation for it, making your validation specific and authentic.

It might be as simple as how they organize their notes, the way they prepare a meeting space, or even the kind of paperclips they always use. Recognition of that detail makes them feel seen. And here’s the bonus: every time they repeat that behavior, they’ll feel a quiet neurochemical echo of that validation.

This isn’t just easing tension—it’s building trust.

Even for those who are already very good communicators, there is always room to level up. Below I discuss three areas in which communicators can grow in effectiveness. Understanding even one of these is a good step toward growth. You should…

KNOW THAT FAMILIARITY AFFECTS COMMUNICATION

There is a huge difference between communicating with people you know and people who do not know you. I am a longtime soccer fan and a soccer coach, so I watch a lot of soccer games. One thing anyone can see when watching soccer is the difference between teams that have played together for a long time and teams that were just put together for a tournament. The familiarity gained from practicing together makes things flow more smoothly.

Communication is the same: when you gain familiarity with others, communication can flow more smoothly. When you are not familiar with others, you need to work harder to have an effective interaction. The first step is awareness of the difference between these two groups. With listeners who do not know you, you will need to work harder to…

REMOVE BARRIERS FOR THE LISTENER

Much of our expertise in speech communication focuses on how to help listeners hear the important information you, the speaker, want to communicate to them! A catchphrase in our company is “It’s not about YOU”—meaning that, as speakers, we are often very self-centered, focusing on what we are going to say and how we are going to say it. This is to the detriment of the listener because what is good for the speaker is often not good for the listener.

For example, putting lots of words on your slides can be a comfort for the speaker. Many speakers want to deliver a lot of information, especially if they are experts in their topic. They want to make sure they include all of that information on the slide. However, having lots of words on slides can create cognitive overload for the listeners, making their job of understanding the speaker harder. If the job of listening gets too difficult, people simply stop doing it!

Too much information in the presentation and on the slides makes the task of listening too difficult. Carefully curating the information you will present enables your listeners to understand your message better. To more effectively determine what information you should include, you need to…

PRACTICE THINKING ABOUT THE OTHER PERSON

Thinking about the other person does not come naturally; we tend to be self-focused. To be an effective communicator, you need to think hard about what it is that will help the listener be able to hear you. Is the listener an expert? Is the listener pressed for time? Does the listener know you personally? All of these will change the way you communicate.

Getting into the practice of considering the listener is a good first step to communicating more effectively, whether it is with your familiar teammates or a new group of listeners. Remember: with a little effort, you can always improve.

As an executive communication coach, I often talk with clients about the importance of credibility or ethos for speakers. If you want people to listen to, care about, and be persuaded by what you say, it is incredibly important to establish credibility with your listeners. If you’re an executive, you are certainly experienced and have many credentials and degrees, but listing those verbally can be boring and at worst may be seen as pretentious!

How do you demonstrate credibility when speaking beyond listing your credentials, degrees, or position? Research in this area breaks credibility down into expertise, trustworthiness, and goodwill of the speaker. One way to boost your credibility across these areas when speaking: with your content.

First, carefully choose and organize your content to demonstrate that you have expertise in this subject area. Show that you have done your homework and are familiar and comfortable with this subject. This starts with clarity and organization of your content to help listeners follow you.

Second, ensure accurate content to establish that you are trustworthy.This means no made-up facts! Accuracy shows that you can be trusted to tell the truth.

Third, show that you feel goodwill toward the listeners. One way you can do this is to admit when you do not know something. Doing so shows you would rather admit your own (small) weakness than send the listeners astray. And of course, you will find the answer and get back to them, because you care about them.

There are many ways to build credibility. Consider how you can integrate expertise, trustworthiness, and goodwill to show listeners you are a credible source of information. If you aren’t sure how to do so, a communication coach makes an excellent partner in strengthening your organization, accuracy, and ability to answer questions.

Attending a professional conference can be a powerful way to expand your network, showcase your expertise, and open doors to new opportunities. However, the benefits don’t come automatically. The key is thoughtful preparation. Here are actionable tips to ensure you maximize your time and investment at your next conference:

1. Strategize Your Connections – Make a Target List:Review the attendee and speaker lists before the conference. Identify the people you want to connect with—aim high! This could include industry leaders, potential mentors, or collaborators.
2. Research and Prepare:Learn about their work, challenges, or interests. This preparation will enable you to ask insightful, specific questions demonstrating your knowledge and genuine interest.
3. Craft Your Conversation Starters:Unique and Relevant Questions: Think beyond clichés. Prepare questions that allow others to share their expertise and shine. For example, instead of asking, “What do you do?” try, “I saw your recent work on [specific project/topic]. What inspired that direction?”
4. Be Ready to Listen:While preparation is crucial, listening during sessions or conversations can help you craft more thoughtful, relevant questions.
5. Polish Your Personal Presentation – Dress with Intention:Your attire communicates before you speak. Choose clothing that aligns with your professional goals and sends the right message.
6. Add a Conversation Piece:Consider a unique accessory, such as a printed tie, a bold scarf, or a lapel pin. These small touches can spark easy conversations and help you stand out.
7. Be Prepared to Speak ‘The Language of Benefit’ – Focus on Value:Be ready to articulate how who you are or what you do is beneficial to the person you’re speaking with. Why should they listen to you or care about what you’re saying? If you can’t find a reason, it’s best not to engage.  Example: Instead of saying, “I’m a software developer,” you could say, “I help companies streamline their operations by creating custom software solutions that save time and reduce errors.” This reframes your role in terms of the benefit it provides.
8. Be Strategic in Sessions – Prioritize Key Sessions:Aim to attend talks by the most well-known speakers or on topics that align with your goals. Arrive early to secure a good seat and prepare to ask a thoughtful question.
9. Have Backup Questions:If someone else asks your question, have a second one ready. This ensures you’re still able to engage meaningfully.
10. Make Every Conversation Count – Wrap Up with an Action:Don’t let the conversation end without a next step. A simple but effective close is, “May I connect with you on LinkedIn?” Set a specific follow-up, like sending an article or scheduling a call if appropriate.
11. Remember, It’s Just the Beginning – Focus on the Long Game:Conversations with important leaders are just the starting point. When handled well, they can lead to future engagements.
12. Keep It Simple:Avoid launching into a full business idea or plan during an initial interaction. Instead, offer a teaser and ask for another meeting.
13. Build Credibility and Trust:Earning trust takes time and effort. Use the face-to-face opportunity at conferences as a powerful foundation for deeper relationships.
14. Maximize ROI:The Power of Preparation. Conferences require significant investment in time, energy, and money. To make the most of it: Plan Who to Meet: Don’t leave networking to chance.
15. Prepare What to Say:Tailor your questions and conversations to stand out.
16. Think Ahead:From your attire to your follow-up actions, intentionality ensures you leave a lasting impression.

With thoughtful preparation, you’ll turn a simple conference into a launchpad for meaningful connections and career growth. Don’t just attend—excel!

Tip #1: Enhance Your Professionalism Through Thoughtful Greetings and Endings Want to project more confidence in professional settings? Start by mastering your greetings. Instead of casual “Hey” or “What’s up,” opt for formal greetings like “Good morning” or “Good afternoon.” These greetings convey respect and instantly elevate the tone. For instance, swap “Hey, how’s it going?” with “Good morning, how are you today?” This subtle shift can make a big difference, highlighting your professionalism and attentiveness.      Remember, a formal closure is equally important. Instead of a casual “All right, see ya!” try “Thank you for your time today, [name]. I appreciate it.” While it may seem like a minor detail, incorporating these simple yet powerful greetings can significantly boost your professional image and communication skills. Try it in your next professional interaction.

Tip #2: Don’t tip the scales with data-heavy presentations In my work with high-performing C-level leaders in financial services, I’ve noticed a common pitfall in presentations: an overload of data. While data is crucial for establishing credibility, incorporating personal elements like stories, examples, and appropriate humor is key. Connecting on a human level alongside expertise is vital for engagement and impact.      Research from Scientific American highlights how people’s brain waves can synchronize during interaction. This synchronization reflects a deeper connection beyond words, shaping how we interpret and respond to shared experiences. Read the full study here.Remember: embracing imperfection, adding spontaneity, and revealing vulnerabilities can make presentations more relatable and memorable. Building trust through authenticity is fundamental for fostering strong relationships.

Tip #3: Think about the required level of preparation.I particularly enjoy supporting high-performing companies during their annual global meetings. Our clients often wonder, “How much preparation should you do?” The short answer: your preparation should match the importance of the event. For a quick 2-minute update or an informal meeting with trusted colleagues, a few minutes of prep might suffice. For a high-stakes meeting where you want to demonstrate trusted-advisor leadership, begin preparing at least two weeks in advance.    Remember: there are no strict rules, but adequate preparation is crucial to appear confident, speak confidently, and build trust. Your effort will pay off in making a lasting impression.

Tip #4: Don’t play Hot Potato when answering questions In a recent one-on-one coaching session with a senior executive, we discussed a common tendency when getting a question lobbed at you. Many of us, including this Executive, tend to answer extremely fast and then lob it back. We laughed when we realized how similar it is to the children’s game ‘Hot Potato.’

Does anyone remember that game? When I was a kid, we played with a balled-up sock, so it was as low-tech as you could get! The goal was to throw back the “potato” as soon as it was tossed your way to stay safe when the rhyme finished. (“…If you have the hot potato, YOU-ARE-IT!”)    If you answer a question immediately and barely even take a moment to pause, you are missing an opportunity to show thoughtfulness and share an insightful response. The goal is NOT to answer fast and get the spotlight off you! By not rushing to throw the ‘potato,’ you value the conversation and the person asking the question. Remember, your role as a listener is just as important as a speaker in fostering a meaningful discussion. Instead, when you are asked a question: Listen, pause, think, THEN respond.       The pause can be short; 1-3 seconds helps you gain composure. No hot potato toss is needed. Take your time.

Tip #5: Add Reflection Points to your company meetingsAs an executive coach, I love exploring topics people haven’t considered until they take a moment to slow down and reflect. It’s like meeting with a trainer at the gym and taking time to consider your short- and long-term goals Recently, I spoke with a successful IT executive who shared his strategy to make meetings more productive. He does a regular “tech overhaul” and thinks about why the meeting is important and whether it could be executed in a way other than as a meeting. He calls these “Reflection Points.”

Adding brief reflection points to your agenda can make meetings more intentional, efficient, and impactful.