The Cranky Middle Manager Show #312 The Future of the MBA Ken Starkey
The Cranky Middle Manager #60 Present Like a Pro- Cyndi Maxey
Posted on 25. Aug, 2006 by Wayne in Podcast
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #60
Okay, kids. You know it was going to happen at some point. We’re going to talk about presenting and presentation skills. Yeah, I know a lot of you hate it but it’s one of the most important things you’ll do as a manager so suck it up. We’re talking to Cyndi Maxey about the book she’s co-authored with Kevin O’Connor, “Present Like a Pro”
While you’re buying books, you might want to check out my new e-book, “Meet Like You Mean It- a Cranky Middle Manager’s Guide to Productive and Painless Meetings”.
Show Notes
0:00 Welcome gang, today we talk presentation skills with a solid speaker and teacher, Cyndi Maxey. Communication skills is one of the “4 Disciplines of Management”- Communication Skills, Leadership, Business Acumen and Project/Process Management.
Today’s show is dedicated to Chief Canassatego chief of the 6 Nations in the early days of the colony- Yes, people do judge you by how well you communicate-especially people who underestimate you at the beginning…..
3:45 The quote of the week is from Aristotle - trainers take heart…educating anyone is a noble cause.
4:30 Welcome Cyndi Maxey. Of course, teaching presentation skills is my day job at Communispond so this is a chance to talk about the craft of presenting and why managers should care. I know a lot of you aren’t crazy about it… I think more of you like it than you’ll admit. I admit I talk too much at the beginning of this interview and my apologies to Cyndi, but get over it, it’s done from love and I do shut up eventually…..
9:30 Most presenters don’t really think about their audience- especially when they’re presenting up the food chain. They want it short, sweet and easy to pass on to whoever will do the real work. Take your first draft and edit the heck out of it- you’ll be impressed with the results.
12:15 Beware the zinger… not putting detail into the presentation is NOT the same as not being prepared or knowing your stuff. You know your stuff, you know what you’re doing so don’t be afraid….
16:40 I hate to say this but…. stop being so apologetic. Jump in and get to the point. It’s preparation that will save you in the end.
22:43 Tips for presenters from the book….what do you do if you’re the poor person going on after lunch?
24:00 Do you want to hold questions til the end? She doesn’t think so and neither do I, but it takes cajones to do that.
27:00 We now praise the low-tech flip chart. Use it wisely but do use it.
30:00 Cyndi’s Resources:
Speaking Channel (Note, the information in the podcast is wrong, this is the right url. My fault)
National Speaker’s Association
That’s it, drop us a line, join our frappr map, let us know what you think.
Don’t let the weasels get you down.
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Training and Retention Statistics Fom an Od Friend
Posted on 24. Aug, 2006 by Wayne in General
Our friend Ann Andrews ( from show #43) and Teams From Woe To Go has some interesting statistics you might want to check out. If you’re wondering how you’re going to find the managers and employees of the future you’re not alone. Among my personal faves are:
32% of companies have Enterprise-wide training systems… (which means 64% don’t. You’re on your own kids)
77% of companies say they’ll increase their talent development systems next 3 years (only25% will actually do it. That last number is mine but I defy anyone to call me a liar when they budgets are balanced out in January 2009)
43% of companies cite a skills shortage among workers as their top challenge. Anyone know a good podcast they can use to help get things started?
Check out Ann’s newsletter and all the other stats here.
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The Cranky Middle Manager Show #59- Emotional Intelligence with Dr. Ben Palmer
Posted on 19. Aug, 2006 by Wayne in Podcast
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #059
Welcome to the show. Today we’re talking Emotional Intelligence which is not an oxymoron. The ability to read and understand other people is as important as any of our “4 Disciplines of Management”: Project Management, Business Acumen, Leadership and Communication Skills.
Show Notes
0:00 This show is dedicated to Shaka Zulu. Now why him? Well, not only does he never get the credit (because Zulus had no written language it’s the first time in history the LOSERS got to write history) he deserves but he had great innate Emotional Intelligence.
3:33 The quote of the week is from Carl Jung…. Know thyself darn it. And before you take a job you’re not right for would be a good time……
4:55 Please welcome Dr. Ben Palmer of Genos EI in Australia. What is Emotional Intelligence and why do we care? Because despite our best efforts Emotions play a huge part in a manager’s life. There’s also some cool science associated with this.
8:45 When Daniel Goleman’s book came out in 1995 this topic was hot but it kind of faded away…How come? Dr Palmer tells us about some of the work he’s been doing since then in the real world. Figures the Sales Weasels would have the money to test it out…..
14:40 What are the behaviors that EI measures? We look at Sales people first, because like all good scientists you start with lower life forms.
Self awareness is one… do you know what’s going on inside you at any given time?
Awareness of others… do you know what’s going on inside other people?
I use the example of my daughter (Her Serene Highness) and my wife (The Duchess). Any time you’re dealing with emotions, I highly recommend studing a 13 year old girl.
18:00 Two techniques…disputation and distraction.
Distraction is basically letting yourself calm down because you’re no good when you’re flustered. Take a break.
Disputation has 4 components. If you examine all 4 you’ll have an emotionally intelligent response:
- Evidence
- Alternatives
- Implications
- Usefulness
21:36 A workplace example studying “learned helplessness”. Hands up if you recognize this scenario.
24:30 If I’m aspiring to management, what should I know about myself and my EQ? Check out the book The Emotionally Intelligent Manager.
Dr. Palmers company, Genos, has all kinds of assessments as well.
27:30 How do you know if you’re not cut out to be a manager? And Dr. Palmer never did tell me he was speaking hypothetically?
If you want everything you could possibly want to know about EI, check out Rutgers University’s EI Consortium
Eating My Own Dog Food….
Posted on 14. Aug, 2006 by Wayne in General
… I just love that phrase. It’s an old advertising term meaning “If you don’t follow your own advice or use your own product, why should anyone else?” In this case I’ve posted on how people don’t use their time off, they don’t take holiday, they work too hard sooooooo…..
This means I’m on vacation…outa here…..not working…..they can kiss my red pimply $#$%$%. It’s going to be me, The Duchess and Her Serene Highness up and down the coast of California for a week
I won’t be doing any podcast stuff either- not maniacally checking my stats every day, not posting and not sending email to total strangers asking them to be part of the fun. There will be a new show on August 17th or there abouts.. Cameron Reilly, head zookeeper at The Podcast Network will hit the button for me.
I’ll see you all in about a week or so….. be good and don’t let the weasels get you down while I’m gone.
By the way, this is The Duchess (Joan) and Her Serene Highness (Nora)…
