Role Model?

To be honest, I don’t care that Steve Jobs resigned.

Millions do, though, and the announcement sparked considerable praise regarding his vision, his strategy, and his leadership abilities. To most people he is an iconic figure worthy of emulation, although some do argue that Jobs is a terrible role model.

What kind of role model is Jobs? Or Vijay Mallya? Or Indra Nooyi? Who cares. Doesn’t matter. You and I, we don’t need a role model.

Kapil Dev, the cricket icon, would agree.

But we need role models — the more the better.

Apparently Jobs paid incredible attention to detail, drove outstanding results, ignored critics when he felt he was right, etc. All admirable qualities. Yet he also may not have been the most, um, sensitive and compassionate leader.

So do you want to be like Steve Jobs? Yes. And no.

That’s why looking for one role model doesn’t work. No matter how wonderful, people are still people, brilliance and flaws and talents and peccadilloes and all. Some traits are worthy of emulation, others are not.

So forget finding a role model. Instead look to different people for specific qualities or skills you want to emulate. Never start with a person; start with the talent or trait. Break attributes down into specifics, the narrower the better.

For example, I admire how the writer Arundhati Roy quickly establishes a scene and creates a mood. I admire how Salman Rushdie seamlessly blends information with story to foster understanding. I admire Winston Churchill’s wit and gift for phrasing. I can’t write like any of them — far from it. And I shouldn’t want to; I should be me, not them. But, if establishing a mood is critical, I can think, “How would Khushwant Singh handle this…?” drawing on his skills for guidance and inspiration.

And in the process hopefully become an even better me.

The same is true with speaking. When I speak I’m pretty casual. But at times, to make a complex point, I need to be more formal. Shiv Kherra is exceptional at marshaling facts, research, and examples to craft solid arguments. I can’t speak as well as Deepak Chopra — far from it — but I can draw on one aspect of his considerable skills to be a more effective speaker.

I can list lots more examples. I’ve been writing them down for years. Whenever I see someone do something well, I write it down. My list ranges all the way from the waitress who dealt with an overbearing customer to the CEO who handled an employee meeting that turned violent to Azim Premji’s knack for thinking about marketing as an integral part of creating substance.

You run into people who excel at something all the time, so you start your own list. Just don’t focus on the person, because you don’t want to be like them. Instead you just want to do something, usually a very specific something, the way they do.

If having a role model can help you be more successful, why not have dozens of role models? Then you can still be you and use your role models to be an even better you.

- Adapted from “Forget About Finding a Role Model” by Jeff Haden, a prolific writer of management books

Ten Presentation Probelms

REASON #10: It is all data, no story!

·          Diagnosis: You presented scads of information without any context or meaning.

·          Why you did it: You wrongly assumed a presentation was the same thing as a lecture.

·          What resulted: The audience pulled out their Blackberries when you clicked your fifth slide.

·          How to fix it: Make your presentation tell a story, ideally with the audience as the heroes.

REASON #9: Your slides are too fancy!

·          Diagnosis: You filled your slides with special effects and visual jim-cracks.

·          Why you did it: You were afraid that the audience would find you boring.

·          What resulted: Your audience watched the pretty pictures and missed what you were saying.

·          How to fix it: Use the minimum visuals that you need to tell the story.

REASON #8: Your slide background is too busy!

·          Diagnosis: You used a background template that was busy and obtrusive.

·          Why you did it: You wrongly thought it would make your slides look more “professional.”

·          What resulted: Your audience got headaches trying to see what was actually on each slide.

·          How to fix it: Use a simple, single color background. Always.

hREASON #7: Your fonts are unreadable!

·          Diagnosis: You used fonts that were too fancy or too small or both.

·          Why you did it: The fonts looked great on your computer; on the projector… not so much.

·          What resulted: The audience squinted and peered, and then gave up. Blackberry time!

·          How to fix it: Use large fonts in simple faces (like Ariel); avoid boldface, italics and UPPERCASE

REASON #6: Your graphics are too complex!

·          Diagnosis: You inserted giant, complicated graphics with lots of little details.

·          Why you did it: One picture is worth a thousand words, right? (Uh, wrong.)

·          What resulted: Your audience stared glassy-eyed, then pulled out their Blackberries.

·          How to fix it: Only include simple graphics; highlight the data point that’s important

REASON #5: You are all opinion, no fact!

·          Diagnosis: You expressed all sorts of opinions without any supporting data.

·          Why you did it: Laziness. It’s easy to claim “leadership”; it’s harder to actually be a leader.

·          What resulted: Your credibility with the audience leaped right down the toilet.

·          How to fix it: Only state opinions that you can back up with quantifiable data.

REASON #4: You speak fluent biz-blab!

·          Diagnosis: Your presentation was filled with tacky business buzzwords.

·          Why you did it: You wrongly thought the biz-blab made you sound “business-like.”

·          What resulted: Your audience thought you were pompous, crazy, and/or talking in tongues.

·          How to fix it: Just stop it. Cold turkey. Please

REASON #3: You drifted off topic!

·          Diagnosis: You included data and anecdotes that didn’t reinforce your message.

·          Why you did it: You didn’t bother to figure out what would really interest your audience.

·          What resulted: Your audience lost your train of thought and you lost credibility.

·          How to fix it: Only include material that’s relevant to your overall message

REASON #2: It was too d**n long!

·          Diagnosis: You presented way more than anybody wanted to know.

·          Why you did it: You were “spraying and praying” that something that would pique their interest.

·          What resulted: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…

·          How to fix it: Always make your presentation less than half as long as you think it should be.

REASON #1: You read from your slides!

·          Diagnosis: You stood there like an idiot and read aloud what everyone could read for themselves.

·          Why you did it: You didn’t know the material so you needed your slides as a memory-jog.

·          What resulted: By your third slide, your audience was ready to strangle you.

·          How to fix it: Use slides to reinforce your message rather than to outline your data points.

-Adapted from Top 10 Reasons Your Presentation Sucks By Geoffrey James in Bnet.com