TheCorporateCounsel.net

I don’t think there’s a more intimidating moment in a corporate lawyer’s career than the first time they’re asked to make a presentation to a board of directors. Heck, even experienced lawyers get a little nervous when they’re presenting to a board they haven’t worked with in the past or addressing a particularly complex topic. In this month’s issue of The Boardroom Insider, Ralph Ward offers some tips from personal development coach T.J. Walker on making more effective board presentations. I think this one is particularly relevant for lawyers:

You are the expert on the topic you’re addressing to directors, so the temptation is to stuff in every factoid and data bit you’ve accumulated. “The biggest problem I see is trying to cover too many facts. You don’t want them to think you’re stupid or unprepared, so you tell them everything you know.” This overwhelms the directors, and sets them to checking their cell phones. Write up your board talking points. Condense them. Then condense them some more.

Walker also cautions against being too formal in your approach – writing out and memorizing your comments will put the board to sleep. It’s okay to make a verbal slip every now and again, because trying to perfectly script yourself will cause any stumble to throw you off and will make you less flexible in responding to questions from directors.

– John Jenkins