How to Get Your Boss's Boss to Understand

I apply the 1200-word rule even when I have a 30-minute or 45-minute time slot. Keeping my formal remarks to 10 minutes allows more time for the slot to be more interactive and to focus on Q&A.

You need more than one communication approach because there are different situational contexts.

Certain patterns emerged that reflect the FINESSE Fishbone Diagram®: Frame, Illustrate, Noise Reduction, Empathy, Structure, Synergy, and Ethics.

Your goal isn’t to simplify the data—it’s to simplify the path to understanding.

I promised myself I would never step into a meeting again without being able to explain who I was and what I wanted in three sentences or less.

Microsoft Word and PowerPoint’s built-in color and contrast checker doesn’t always perform well, especially when it comes to backgrounds involving images or gradients.

Commit to being a person that executive leadership wants to hear from when the chips are down.

Executives do care about the details. However, initially, they simply don't have the time to wade through them all.

Senior management and boards of directors don’t need all the technical details.

Connecting the material to executives doesn’t mean dumbing down the work.

When something is obvious, it does not require embellishment.

Every major decision relies on an inner circle of trusted advisors.

A well-prepared communicator demonstrates competence naturally through clarity, relevance, and precision.

Remember to use a guiding graphic on your next big project and with every big presentation!

A well-timed pause isn’t a break in your speech—it’s part of your message.

Focus first on the opening. Focus next on the closing. The blind spot is that they spend too much time on time on the main body.

When you communicate evenly, you foster collaboration and show respect for the collective wisdom in the room.

Simple questions feel less intimidating, making people more likely to respond truthfully.

It’s a subtle shift that makes a world of difference.

Rare events can usually be identified within the seven categories of crisis.