No doubt you will hear many accolades to Steve Jobs over the coming days. As I look at Steve Jobs though my lens - business communication - he is iconic in his approach to constructing, preparing, rehearsing and delivering fantastic experiences in the form of his key note presentations at Apple product launches over the past three decades.
When I work with executives in coaching and workshops, I regularly use clips of Jobs in action to help de-construct what he does that is insanely great [to use a popular Job adjective].
If you have never seen his speeches or presentation, I would recommend his Standford commencement address in which he uses three personal stories to share his life passions and drives. For a business presentation, his 2001 ipod launch or 2007 iphone launch are great examples for how business presenters can put together a clear, compelling message and deliver it in a memorable well-paced fashion.
Over the course of The One Minute Presenter’s blog since 2009, we have featured Jobs in a number of blogs. Here are a selection:
Where are you on the “Speak with Executive Presence Pyramid”?
10 Warning Signs Your Leaders Lack Executive Presence
Executive presence is the hallmark of every successful leader
CFOs: Do you find yourself feeling uncomfortable when asked to present to the Board of Directors?
Seven lessons every great speaker needs to know
Why CEOs need to build executive presence among their senior executives
How to handle mobile phones during presentations Part 1 of 3: Set Ground Rules
Theater Rehearsals: What Executive Presenters Must Know Part 5 of 5: Dress rehearsal
iPad product launch: What Makes Steve Jobs a Great Presenter?
Theater Rehearsals: What Executive Presenters Must Know Part 4 of 5: Step 4 : Tops and Tails
Product Launch like an Executive - Memorable product launches Part 1
Conclusion
I am a strong believer in the power of role models as a catalyst to improving your own skills. Steve Jobs has left a legacy of fantastic presentations that will continue to set a high benchmark for all business communicators in the years to come.
About the Author
Warwick J Fahy
“I work with senior executives working for multinationals in Greater China who lack the executive presence to effectively influence key stakeholders. While these executives are very smart, very knowledgeable and highly capable, a key piece missing. Their executive communication skills need polishing. I help executives build a strong foundation in executive communication so that they are able to better think, speak and act like a leader to set and implement strategy. Recently, we helped a CEO turn his communication style from being nervous and uninspiring into a more engaging, confident and purposeful executive.” Learn more about who I help here.
Find out whether your executive team is performing to the best of their potential with Warwick’s article “10 Warning Signs Your Leaders Lack Executive Presence”. Email me and I’ll send you a PDF version.
Warwick is the author of “The One Minute Presenter: 8 steps to successful business presentations in a short attention span world”. Warwick is author of the forthcoming book ‘Speak with Executive Presence in China’
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