Posted on Thu, May 02, 2013 @ 01:38 PM
Posted by Leslie Dickson
Have you really thought about what it means to be respectful? I always thought of myself as a respectful person; saying “please” and “thank you” comes easily to me. However, I now have an expanded appreciation for what it means to be respectful.
I have just completed a month-long trip that had VoicePro® delivering programs to a client with offices in the Asia Pacific region. We were in Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Australia (Sydney and Melbourne). As I went from country to country, I found there is a different level of respect in different parts of the world. The people I met and worked with In the Asian countries showed a higher level of respect to others, as well as a significant level of respect for themselves, their surroundings and their families.
At some locations, we were treated to lunch as the “guests” of our groups. This falls into the typical range of respect that I know well. But it went much deeper than this, and the subtleness and ease of execution had a great impact on me. People seemed easier, less threatened than we do in the west. They weren’t as quick to take offense. They smiled more and showed a natural courtesy to everyone around them.
For instance, throughout the entire month, our workshop participants honored us with their attention. They didn’t work on their laptops or phones during class time. They held their demanding workload for breaks. Now, I am the first one to recognize how busy everyone is and that client needs don’t take a hiatus just because someone decides to take a training program. However, it was moving to me to experience this level of respect from these incredibly important people. In South Korea, where several people even had trouble understanding our language, they stayed dialed in throughout the entire program.
Also, I am sure you have heard in some cultures to accept a business card with two hands and place it on the table, rather than put it away in your pocket. I never knew why this was the case until I experienced it myself. It is about attention. When someone offers you their business card and receives yours with two hands, it is about giving you their undivided attention. The power and impact of this is amazing.
So, think about your own relationships. Do you set things aside when someone comes into your office? Do you focus just on them? Do you help your colleagues out by giving them your full, uninterrupted attention? Do you honor them with your respect?
I challenge you to try showing respect to the people you interact with in a deeper way. It isn’t about your intention to be respectful. We all have that. It’s about changing your behavior to let others “feel” respected by you. It is this “feeling of being respected” that holds the power.
Posted on Wed, Nov 28, 2012 @ 12:11 PM
by Scott Danielson
Over the past month, the Bond franchise has come roaring back with the International hit Skyfall. Of course, considering the character, the movie is full of incredible stunts, gorgeous locales, and even some high tech gadgetry. However, unlike Bond films of the past, which pit Bond against a maniacal villain bent on world domination or destruction, James struggles with his confidence and deals with a villain that challenges him on a very personal level.
Speakers new and seasoned run into the same problems, just before they take the stage. They question their abilities, get stuck in their head, and quickly kill any confidence they had. So, how can you give yourself the confidence you need? Learn from James’ latest triumph.
#1 Don’t Rely on Technology
Considering his adversary is a master computer hacker, Bond realizes that high tech approaches are not going to work. In fact, they’re only detrimental to his cause. Consequently he goes off the grid, and decides to use old fashioned methods to dispatch his foe.
Whether it’s a projector, laptop, or even a flash drive with a PowerPoint presentation, many speakers use technology as a crutch instead of a tool. To avoid a potential disaster via a malfunction, be ready to give your presentation without any technology. Even if your presentation has a video segment practice the speech without it, at least once. That way you can avoid panicking if something goes ary.
#2 Look the Part
For the first quarter of the movie, Bond doesn’t quite look himself. He looks exhausted, labors during exercise and even has a thin beard. Not exactly the suave character we’ve come to know. Thankfully, Bond realizes how important his appearance is to his job and gets a shave and new suit before entering a high end casino.
When you’re introducing yourself to a group of strangers or potential business partners, appearance does matter. So look the part. If the crowd will be wearing casual business attire, a high-end suit will stick out like a sore thumb. We generally recommend matching the attire of room or going one step above. Slightly overdressing is never as bad as underdressing.
#3 Trust Yourself
Despite numerous indications that Bond is unfit for active duty his superior, M, puts him back in the field without question. Considering the dangerous nature of Bond’s mission, many other characters question M’s decision. She makes it very clear why she made the choice: she trusts Bond.
In the moments leading up to your speech, you may become overwhelmed with doubts or worries. Don’t let them takeover. Take these moments to relax your body through deep breathing, shake out your nervous energy, and use positive affirmations to build your confidence. Now you can take the stage feeling relaxed but invigorated.
The latest incarnation of Bond is hardly perfect, but he does know how to rise the occasion. Learn from the flawed hero for your next speech and present with power.
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Posted on Tue, Nov 20, 2012 @ 10:54 AM
by Leslie Dickson
Is there anyone who distills ideas into concentrated communication better than poets? And by poets, I mean everyone from Robert Frost to Dr. Seuss, pop singers to rap artists. That’s why a recent article in The Atlantic magazine caught my attention. Dorothea Lasky, an educator and poet, penned the article What Poetry Teaches Us About Persuasion.
Lasky’s focus is making students better writers, but I think her argument applies to all communicators. “It would be hard to say that any outstanding essay does not involve meticulous word choice or the ability to persuade a reader through sheer aesthetic prowess. Poetry teaches students how to do this.”
Think about it.
Poetry helps us hear things differently, make a rational and an emotional connection, remember ideas better and longer. Lasky likes to use lyrics from pop singer Jay-Z’s songs to make her poetry point with students. You may not know his music, but I bet you remember these:
-“Would you eat them in a box, would you eat them with a fox…”
-And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land…
-Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by…
-Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…
Another of Lasky’s points hits home, too: “[B]ecause I am a poet, I am always searching for ways to change language.” That’s a powerful way to make sure your words aren’t just verbal wallpaper – always there, never noticed.
You know who may have been the best language inventor in history? William Shakespeare, the poet playwright. James Shapiro, a Shakespeare scholar, launched a steady stream of the bard’s best on the Radiolab. As Shapiro says, Shakespeare shoved ideas together “to achieve a kind of atomic power.” He captured ideas so memorably, 400 years later they’re still part of our everyday language: I’m in a pickle, dead as a doornail, forever and a day, in my mind’s eye, kill with kindness. Not bad.
So is it time to start rhyming your presentation?
No. But it is worth your while to spend a little time thinking about new ways to say what’s been said before. Here are a few ideas to borrow from the poet’s craft.
-Choose words worth a thousand pictures. The word “history” and “heritage” seem synonymous at first glance. But while “history” connotes the factual past, “heritage” suggests more. History can be good or bad, but a heritage connotes richness, tradition, something worth keeping.
-Is there a metaphor? A new way of thinking can help people grab on. A writer I know calls it “reincarnation”. Maybe a problem is a landmine or a buzzing mosquito. A goal might be a holy grail or Mt. Everest. A competitive situation might be a cage match…or a chess match.
-Think about inventing words. Channel your inner Shakespeare. Maybe a college campus is a brainspace, a computer lab is a techscape.
-Borrow someone’s else’s words. There are poetic persuaders everywhere with great words to express ideas – even different shades of the same one. Michael Jordan said, “I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.” Winston Churchill offers “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Which works for you?
Next time you’re preparing for a presentation, invite your inner poet to the planning session. Let’s give poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge the last word on the topic: “[P]rose = words in their best order; poetry = the best words in the best order.
Let’s talk more about how VoicePro programs can help you and your team achieve more by building stronger communications skills.
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Posted on Thu, Nov 08, 2012 @ 09:24 AM
by Leslie Dickson
It happens…we hear it from a number of VoicePro clients. You walk into a meeting (business, service club, community), and one of the organizers asks, “I know this is short notice, but could you say a few words about the project…the plan…the new product?
Even someone who’s a regular public speaker will feel the heart skip a little beat. And the rest of us? A wave of panic may ensue. It doesn’t have to.
Here’s an emergency checklist of pointers to help you not only survive the extemporaneous experience, but make the most of the opportunity to share ideas and shape opinions.
First, remember, you’re the expert.
That’s why you were asked to say a few words. Breathe, settle your mind, and focus on the information you know.
Second, what’s the most important takeaway?
You’ll only have a few minutes with your audience, so make them count by focusing attention on the single most important idea. Save the details for another time. If you’re having trouble separating the wheat from the chaff of your information, jot down a few possible key phrases. Imagine people will walk out of the room repeating one of them. That process can help clarify your thinking.
Make a quick outline of your message.
You want just a few bullet points – and the most important ones. You can’t pack a 3-page memo into 2 minutes. Ask yourself: what’s the best evidence, strongest story, most important background to support the message? Now organize the 3 or 4 points into a logical order.
Write it down, it’ll give you confidence.
Just note the main message and bullet points. You need no more than would fit on a 3x5 index card…or a cocktail napkin. Don’t read from it, don’t memorize it. Use it simply as a mental checklist of your message. It also serves as a confidence builder. The fear of “brain freeze” is actually one of the major causes of it. Your outline serves as a safety net.
Channel your nerves into energy.
Stand strong, but relaxed. Speak your first sentence with confidence and you’re on your way. Remember that the visual you present and the sound of your voice communicate as much as the words you speak. Keep in mind, too, that your nervousness about your speech can come across as nervousness about the project or program you’re discussing. Don’t let that happen.
What do you want people to do? Embrace a new program? Watch for a memo? Volunteer? Talk to customers? If there’s a call to action, make it clear.
Finish where you started. A final restating of your main message helps reinforce it.
It’s ok to ask for questions.
That can be an excellent way to be sure nothing was missed because of your abbreviated prep time. You can also offer to answer questions after the meeting.
What if I mess up?
You will sometimes. Everybody does, and, by the way, that’s why audiences understand. Take comfort in that fact. Simply correct a misstep, bring it back to the topic, and, as the Brits say, “Remain calm and carry on.”
With this simple step-by-step approach, there’s no reason to fear the extemporaneous speech. In fact, with a little practice, you may start looking for opportunities to be a last-minute agenda addition when you have an important message to share.
Let’s talk more about programs that can help you be a stronger communicator – whether it’s with an audience of 500, your work team, or one on one.
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Posted on Wed, Oct 31, 2012 @ 10:37 AM
by Leslie Dickson
Remember this feeling? You’re at a conference or a networking event, having a conversation with a colleague. Suddenly you notice his eyes have wandered away from your face, over your shoulder, to scan the room for other contacts.
Or try this scenario. You’re sitting across the desk from your supervisor to discuss a project. Every time the email alert sounds, she glances away to check it.
Or this one. You finish explaining a plan to a team member, who simply nods, then launches into describing his own plan.
I’ve experienced these all too common situations with “listening impaired” colleagues. I bet you have, too. Is there any clearer proof that great communicators start by listening? Until we’ve truly heard what colleagues have to say, there’s no common ground for progress.
I call this kind of concentrated listening “power listening”. And the truth is, it’s not easy to do. Distractions abound in our time-starved world. We want to cut to the chase because we’re convinced of our rightness. Or maybe we have doubts about the speaker’s credentials.
That’s where would-be communicators go wrong – and organizations suffer. Shallow listening actually closes minds. Power listening opens them.
Keys To Power Listening
-Power listening is the basis of persuasion. It’s not until you’ve truly heard someone’s questions about or problems with your ideas that you can provide the answers that could resolve them.
-Power listening creates an honest, empathetic relationship. It’s the glue that binds a team together, the fuel that drives better outcomes.
-Power listening leads to better decisions and innovation. Surprise! You may actually hear information you didn’t know or creative ideas that change everything.
-Power listening turns conflict to strength. Not every decision is going to make every team member happy. Still, when people know their thoughts are heard, they’re better able to move forward in a positive frame of mind.
So how do you practice power listening?
-Turn off the distractions. Start with the externals ones -- silence the email and text alerts and the cell phone. Then turn off the internal ones. Don’t be thinking about your next meeting or worrying about the stack of papers on your desk.
-Turn off the judgment. If your mind is at work stacking up objections, it’s building a wall against new ideas. Dig in to what’s being said and you may find a gold mine of possibilities – or at least a few nuggets.
-Turn on the listening signals. Keep eye contact, respond, maybe take a few notes – this helps the speaker open up. By the way, don’t confuse physical signals with real listening. We’ve all sat in front of someone who was nodding and smiling, but was obviously just going through the motions. No one is fooled by that hollow ruse – and it does more harm than good.
And let me repeat this one final reminder: power listening is hard. Really hard. Unbelievably hard. Everything in our busy days and get-to-the-point mind works against us. But I promise you this: it’s the only way to become a successful communicator. And it will pay dividends for your team, for your organization and for your career.
Let’s talk more about how VoicePro programs can help you and your team achieve more by building stronger communications skills.
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Posted on Wed, Oct 24, 2012 @ 06:40 PM
by Scott Danielson
Some public speaking topics are easier than others. If you’re talking about a breakthrough in modern medicine the new idea can carry the presentation. However, if you’re trying to convince a room full of potential clients to purchase your product, chances are you aren’t the first person to tell them about a very similar product. In these situations you need originality to stand out. Since your presentation topic may not stand out, here are three ways to make your presentation original.
#1 Your Word Choices
A couple years ago I was speaking to some colleagues in a group setting. I began to tell a story about my weekend and my coworkers were responsive. Halfway through the story, one woman in the back started chuckling. I asked her why she was laughing. She replied “You sound like you’re from the Middle Ages.”
Though, I’d argue using “yee” once in a conversation isn’t grounds for a medieval comparison, I can almost guarantee that very few people use the word in common conversation.
While you should always keep your audience in mind when choosing your words, don’t shy away from some of your favorites. As long as “plethora” makes sense within the context of your presentation you can sound like yourself and stand out.
#2 The “Way” You Speak
In an effort to mimic successful speakers, many new speakers attempt to imitate them. While learning lessons from the greats is a great strategy for new speakers, direct imitation has one glaring problem: it sounds (and feels) fake. Unless you’re a well-trained actor or frighteningly skilled liar, mimicking a famous speakers speech patterns will sound forced and the audience will write you off as disingenuous and unoriginal.
Much like your word choices, your “way” of speaking is unique to you. So view your speech like a conversation. You’ll be more comfortable using your natural speaking rhythms and body language and your audience will feel like they’re interacting with a human being.
#3 Your Experiences
If you want to tell a story your audience has never heard before, look at your own life. Stories from your own life are excellent ways to stand out for a number of reasons. First, they’re truly yours. Even if you’ve shared an experience with someone your perspective, insights and reactions are all your own.
Next, stories are great way to connect with your audience. The crowd may not have been frightened by a human Scarecrow on Halloween, but they will certainly remember their own Halloween experiences. Finally, once again you get a chance to show the audience your humanity and your personality.
Crafting an original presentation doesn’t have to be a chore. Frequently speakers spend so much time trying to find a new way to present their material that they forget the easiest way to sound original: be yourself. Your audience may have heard everything you have to say before, but they haven’t heard it from you!
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Posted on Wed, Oct 17, 2012 @ 09:36 AM
by Leslie Dickson
My best friend got her dream job in July. It was a perfect fit to her expertise, yet still stretched her beyond her current comfort zone. She would have the opportunity to make a difference in an organization that was growing by leaps and bounds – a big difference from her previous job that caused her to spend her day in complete boredom.
Fast-forward three months…all hell seems to be breaking loose in the dream job. There are new leaders in the organization, and their names are Chaos, Stress and Tension. The reactions from the employees are classic – poor communication, hurt feelings and panic. Actually, I heard that a mutiny is in the works. My friend asked me, “What am I supposed to do?”
My advice to her, and to anyone else facing a challenging situation, is this:
#1 Don’t Get Hooked
The easiest reaction to have when the people around you are in panic mode is to get hooked into their emotions too. It’s the classic “push-push back” reaction. “If you come at me, then I will retaliate back,” or “You can’t treat me like this, so I’ll show you!”
If you get emotionally hooked, you are likely to give up your strength and personal power. Instead (and this is far from easy), stay calm, get grounded, breathe and focus the big picture (your vision, goals, values, etc.) Now is the time to ask questions, clarify, and listen. Start to consider actions that will meet the needs of the situation and move you in the direction of the big picture. See the pattern? Turn off the reactionary auto-pilot, or else you will be knee deep in the mess along with everyone else.
#2 Show Some Compassion
When smart, experienced and fair people change their behavior and become raving lunatics – it’s a pretty fair assumption that they are under incredible pressure from another source. If they are yelling at you to do your job, chances are they are getting yelled at from higher ups to do their job. What would happen if you acknowledge the pressure they are feeling, validate their pain, and show some empathy? It might change the behavior coming your way. Or, at the very least, it will be remembered that you took the time to notice what was going on with them. Just think, wouldn’t you like to be acknowledged for a job well done when all you hear is criticism? Do you think you are the only one who hopes for this?
#3 What Do You Want Others’ To Say?
When you don’t know what to do in a challenging situation, it is a good time for some personal reflection. Ask yourself, “How do I want others to describe me?” If you could be a fly on the wall and could hear how everyone else talked about you, what would make you smile at their description? Do words like hard worker, professional, level-headed, even fun, come to mind? If so, all you need to do is behave in a way that demonstrates or supports these descriptors. It may not be easy, but it is simple and powerful. Your actions follow your thoughts. So, when you think “open” you will show up more “open.”
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Posted on Thu, Oct 11, 2012 @ 10:02 AM
by Leslie Dickson
In the communication development field, these statistics are often quoted: 93% of communication is non-verbal. 55% of impact comes from body language and 38% is tone of voice. Your words make up only 7% of the impact.
We hear those stats at VoicePro. We’ve even repeated it on occasion. But the fact is, it’s not true. Or, more precisely, it’s not accurate. There’s a lot more complexity below the surface that’s worth a closer examination.
The Study
Maybe we should start at the beginning. Albert Mehrabian, a UCLA professor, did communications research in the mid-1960s. He had subjects take two tests. In the first, they listened to nine words, spoken in various tones of voice, including some which contradicted the word, such as a positive reading of the word “don’t”. The findings showed that people’s response to the words was affected more by the tone of voice than the word itself.
The second test had subjects listen to a word read positively, negatively and neutrally, then view photos of three facial expressions conveying the same emotions. Respondents were better at accurately identifying emotion based on photos than sound.
Crunch the research numbers, and out comes the formula: 55/38/7. So we’re done, right? Not so fast. In the 40+ years since the research, legions of communications professionals have disputed the findings…with some fairly down-to-earth arguments. If words don’t matter, how does radio work? Why do we need to learn foreign languages? Will I understand driving directions if I roll up my car window so I can’t hear the person giving them?
Even Dr. Mehrabian himself has offered this clarification: “Please note that this and other equations regarding relative importance of verbal and nonverbal messages were derived from experiments dealing with communications of feelings and attitudes (i.e. like-dislike). Unless a communicator is talking about their feelings or attitudes, these equations are not applicable.”
So where does that leave us – as communicators and communication professionals? Anything goes? Are there no reliable guideposts?
The Reality
Not at all. Let’s start here: WORDS MATTER. If they didn’t, the likes of Shakespeare, Thomas Jefferson and Mark Twain would be forgotten. The words, though never heard aloud, have impact. And, I think you and I are having a pretty interesting conversation right now without benefit of sound.
So what about the rest? I believe – I know – that body language and tone either help to drive home spoken words or interfere with them. It’s an either/or situation. Here’s why:
Dissonance between word, tone and body distracts. It can even create distrust. Mehrabian’s own research fits here. When words say one thing and the face or tone “says” another, we notice. Humans are hardwired to watch all those elements. If they’re not aligned we wonder if the person is insincere or not clear on the facts. In any case, it’s not helping the message get through.
Conversely, tone and body language can – and do – elevate the impact of a message. Your confidence conveys mastery of the information, which predisposes the audience to give it credence. A comfortable poise is likable, and likability helps create open-mindedness. And, of course, enthusiasm is infectious.
So parse the percentages any way you like, but the bottom line math is clear: We need all three elements to add up to powerful communication. We need to craft the best words we can find into meaningful content. We need to use our voices like a fine musician. And we need our body language to add the 3-D visual power to our message.
Let’s talk more about programs that give you the foundation theories and the real-world experience to be a strong communicator.
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Posted on Thu, Oct 04, 2012 @ 02:21 PM
Posted by Lisa Ihnat
The Quotable Coach Series
"When the mind is thinking, it is talking to itself." ~Plato
We have all muttered a few words to ourselves when there was no one around to hear it. Maybe it was dinnertime and you were poking around the fridge for that elusive butter container “I thought I bought more butter, I know it was on the grocery list.” But what about those times when you talk to yourself and it remains unspoken, as if someone cranked the volume on your own inner stereo? That voice in our heads, or our self-talk, can sometimes get pretty loud.
It turns out that self-talk is powerful and using it positively to help ourselves is a skill that can be taught. Plato says that when we are thinking, we are talking to ourselves. Think about how often you have inner dialog with yourself in an hour, in a meeting, or a day. The self-chatter seems ever present. Understanding how to manage that chatter, instead of quelling it, is what positive self-talk is all about. Take a look at these three reasons to talk to yourself:
#1 Get What You Want
Increase your chance for success. The more you tell yourself how to get what you want in positive terms, the more likely you are to get it. Maybe it is confidence you are after, try saying to yourself “I am confident, I know I can do this.”
#2 Feel Like a Rockstar
Become your own biggest fan! If you are stressed out and telling yourself you have too much to do, change it up to positive self-talk and try: “I have done this much before, I know I can do it again, I know a plan will help me.” You’ll be on the right track in no time!
#3 Make Your Colleagues Jealous
Outperform others! For those of you with that competitive nature, positive self-talk can give you that needed edge. Sports trainers use it all the time with their athletes as well as other mental focus tools. So the next time your boss does a drive-by and dumps more work in your lap, use positive self-talk as your guide. Say “I know I can get this done. I can delegate this part and finish the other on my own.”
Because it is easy to take self-talk for granted, we have to become more intentional about managing it. We have to learn to hear and listen to that chatter in our head. Awareness is step one. So begin to eavesdrop on yourself, and little by little make sure the messages you send to you, are positive ones.
Think back to your childhood and picture The Little Engine That Could, chugging along on the tracks to a tune of “I think I can, I think I can!” Remember, the more you think that you can, you will! Go ahead and give it a try; after all you are your only audience member when it comes to this speaking skill. Don’t worry about what they say about people who talk to themselves, because in this case no one will hear you but you, and you will be helping yourself to success.
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Posted on Thu, Sep 27, 2012 @ 09:57 AM
by Scott Danielson
As the NFL® prepares for week 4, I’ve noticed many of my friends rushing to their computers and smart phones at seemingly random intervals. Why? They are updating their fantasy football rosters. The level of obsession demonstrated by some fantasy football leaguers is astounding. On an hourly basis they check for injuries, look at the best match-ups and free agents. Anything that will give them the extra edge.
Fun? Sure. Scary? A little bit. But after watching the strategy that goes into the game, I began to see some lessons for speakers.
#1 Do Your Research
The amount of research that goes into a fantasy football draft is impressive. What were the players’ statistics last year? What teams are they playing? Are they prone to injury? Did they just get a new contract? Fantasy owners ask themselves all of these questions before picking their team.
Research is also important for public speakers, and sadly is often neglected. If you’re speaking to an unfamiliar audience, learning as much as possible about them will help guide your presentation. How many people will be there? What are their jobs? What are their potential questions or concerns? The fewer questions you have about your audience before your speech, the better.
#2 Avert Disaster Ahead of Time
During the NFL season, every team gets a bye week, or a week off, to rest before they begin playing again the next week. This can spell disaster for a lazy fantasy owner. If you’re not aware of the teams that have the week off, you could end up starting a quarterback who’s not even playing. Clever fantasy owners usually memorize said dates and have their backups or second backups ready to go in case of emergency.
Too many public speaking mishaps could easily be avoided with proper preparation. Any technical issues can be sorted the day before just by testing your equipment. You’re far less likely to trip over yourself if you practice walking up the steps to the platform. Even a simple microphone adjustment is good to know about before you take the stage.
#3 Be Ready To Adapt
Much like real NFL teams, fantasy football teams need to adjust for unthinkable injuries, unexplained declines in performance, and even suspensions. Your top performer might be a star running back, but if he injures his ankle or ends up suspended for the season for performance enhancing drugs, you’ll have to find a way to make up for the decline in productivity.
Because there’s no such thing as a perfect performance, it’s a safe bet, that something will go wrong during your presentation. You might stumble over your words, an audience member might say or do something that interrupts your concentration, or the time allotted to you could be unexpectedly reduced. Whatever the crisis, don’t panic. Take a moment to breathe, collect your thoughts, and adjust to the situation with poise and confidence.
Fantasy football owners and speakers have a lot in common. They're slightly obsessed over details, they constanty worrry, and some of them are a bit superstitious. They also prepare, know their players/audience, and adapt when disaster strikes. Though you're next business presentation may not be in front of thousands of screaming fans or give your bragging rights amongst your fans, you can still prepare like a real, or fantasy champion.
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