LSA Global Insights Newsletter: 4 Keys to Present Like a Rock Star to Senior Executives

April 28, 2018

4 Keys to Present Like a Rock Star to Senior Executives

A rock star is on stage with a wildly cheering audience

Senior Executives are one of the hardest-hitting crowds you will ever face as a presenter.

Here's what Senior Executives say that it takes to get the results you want. 

"If the first two minutes are good... I might give you five more."

What Makes Presenting to Executives So Challenging? 
We find that executive-level presentations typically have four characteristics that make them more challenging than your run-of-the-mill presentations.  

High Speed
Most executives are maddeningly time-pressed. Their schedules are jam-packed and they must make high-stakes decisions quickly. Even though you may feel you have important things to share, leaders simply don't have the time to listen to things that aren't 100% relevant to the strategic priorities they deal with.

High Expectations
Companies expect a lot from their senior executives; and senior executives expect a lot from their staff. Because of their time pressures, executives have high expectations for anyone presenting to them to be quick, clear, concise and compelling. 

High Stakes
High-powered executives make high-powered decisions and expect high-powered results. If you are presenting to an executive, the chances are that the situation, challenges and implications are visible, important and complex. 

High Level
Lastly, executives tend to work on the big picture and expect their presenters to think, speak and relate at their level...that is, until they have a detailed question related to one of your high level points. Stay at thirty thousand feet but be prepared to duck below the clouds to answer specific questions. 

If your presentation is short and insightful, you will be heard. Otherwise you have missed your opportunity to make an impact.

Four Keys to Present Like a Rock Star
We believe clear communication is a sign of clear thinking.  Walk into your presentation with the full confidence that whatever gets thrown at you, you can handle it because you got their attention, kept it simple, told a compelling story and practiced like a rock star. 

Voice of the Customer

"We selected LSA Global's Presenting to Executives Training over 5 other companies to help key executives improve their overall communication and executive presentation capabilities. Feedback has been great. Everyone had a great experience and many of them are feeding some of the lessons into their teams. I highly recommend LSA to any executive team looking to better organize and more effectively deliver key messages to C-Level individuals."
Todd Power | Office of the CEO | SAP AG.

About LSA Global
Founded in 1995, LSA Global is a leading performance consulting and training firm that helps high growth technology, services, and life-science companies create a competitive advantage by powerfully aligning their culture and talent with their strategy. Learn more about getting aligned