Leading Discussions

Strategic Business
Communication
Discussion Deck – Leading Discussions • 0
Strategic Business
Communication
MBA 8015
Discussion Deck
Leading Discussions
We will review some of this information in class
before you go into your “meetings.”
Strategic Business
Communication
Discussion Deck – Leading Discussions • 1
Put “Lead” in Leading Discussions
When you use a discussion deck in a meeting:
• Exercise strong leadership skills so the discussion does not get
hi-jacked
• Prepare for the discussion, just as you would a presentation
– Know your desired outcome, and keep it in sight
– Know your message, and use your key points as touchstones
throughout the discussion
– Plan where you want to talk and where you want the
audience to ask questions or make comments
– Decide how much time you want to spend on each key point
you cover – time management is critical
Strategic Business
Communication
Discussion Deck – Leading Discussions • 2
Project the Credibility of a Leader
When you lead a discussion using a deck, you project
credibility by:
• Demonstrating you have done your research,
verified your facts, and thought through your ideas
• Being organized and knowing what you want to talk about
on each page
• Being authentic and comfortable with yourself and your
message
• Showing enthusiasm and interest in your recommendation
• Communicating with strength, accuracy, and clarity
• Listening to and “reading” your audience
• Being flexible, but focused on your outcome
Strategic Business
Communication
Discussion Deck – Leading Discussions • 3
Set Up for the Meeting
• Decide the best place for you to sit so you can
see everyone
• Set up your laptop where everyone can see it
• Have your printouts ready to distribute
• Greet attendees as they arrive
• Maintain a pleasant and positive demeanor
• Take your seat – sit up straight and look at
audience
Strategic Business
Communication
Discussion Deck – Leading Discussions • 4
Structure the Discussion
1. Use your first page to:
– Set common ground and state or suggest your main message
– Preview the key points that you want to discuss
– Explain the “ground rules” for discussion
2. Discuss the key content for the first content page
– Summarize briefly the gist of the content with salient details
– Ask an open-ended question that engages the audience and
encourages them to share their opinions
– Discuss as needed, keeping an eye on the time
– Summarize the agreement on one page before you transition to the
next point
3. Repeat with the same pattern for each of the remaining pages
4. Summarize the recommendation with any changes, and move the
audience to action
Strategic Business
Communication
Discussion Deck – Leading Discussions • 5
Stay in Control
• Talk your content – refer to the slides, but do not read
them
• Stay organized and on track
• Be concise and clear – stay within the time frame
• Remember when you want to invite questions or comments
• Maintain good posture and a positive attitude (even when
challenged)
• Observe the audience’s non-verbal responses, as well as
verbal ones
• Keep the audience with you
Do NOT use page titles as transitions
Strategic Business
Communication
Discussion Deck – Leading Discussions • 6
Speak with Impact
• Speak with energy and confidence
• Increase the volume about 5% louder than in casual
conversation
• Sit upright to maximize your height
• Look at your audience, not the computer screen
• Keep your feet and legs still
• Move your head, not your body, to engage everyone at the
table
• Keep your hands loosely in front of you on the table
• Use appropriate gestures to emphasize points