Guessing is not a strategy: How to build decision velocity with AI and real-time data
June 10, 2026 | Live Webinar
Not-So-Great Communicator
The project manager and project sponsor are set to speak. Everyone at this meeting needs to hear what they have to say about the company’s new strategic initiative, but within ten minutes most are either hopelessly confused or falling asleep. What are these speakers doing wrong? Here are 10 traps to avoid when you speak to your team.
Whenever you open your mouth, whether your audience is one person or a thousand, you want to get a specific message across. Maybe you want your opinions heard at strategic planning meetings, or perhaps you are giving a formal project status update, internally or externally. Possibly your project team needs to hear about a change in direction, or you're giving a “30-second elevator speech” to the CEO and CIO on why they should care about your project.
Anyone who sets out to present, persuade and propel with the spoken word faces 10 major pitfalls. Avoid them at all cost.
1. Unclear thinking. If you can't describe what you are talking about in one sentence, you may be guilty of fuzzy focus or trying to cover too many topics. Your listeners will probably be confused too, and their attention will soon wander. Whether you are improving your own skills or helping someone else to create a presentation, the biggest (and most difficult) challenge is to start with a one-sentence premise or …
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