Summary In this episode, Andy is joined by Terri Sjodin, author of Presentation Ready. They discuss strategies to improve presentation outcomes and avoid common mistakes. Terri shares her research, based on a multi-year study, identifying the 12 most common presentation errors. She emphasizes the importance of preparation, understanding the audience, and developing persuasive communication skills. Practical insights include the use of Monroe's Motivated Sequence and the effective phrase 'what this means to you.' The episode also covers tips to handle nerves and the role of dressing for success in both virtual and in-person presentations. Additionally, the conversation underscores the value of teaching communication skills to the younger generation. Sound Bites "Avoid the 'We-We', 'Do-Do.'" "There is a gap between how presenters see their presentations and how observers see them." "Don't let the way I show up be a distraction from my competency." "I want to encourage parents to engage their kids in a public speaking course, get them involved in speech and debate, or maybe even acting at a young age, teach them the art of the spoken word." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:35 Start of Interview 04:42 Less Obvious Situations When We're Presenting 06:34 Research on the 12 Most Common Mistakes 09:00 Winging It 15:09 Monroe's Motivated Sequence 17:13 "What This Means To You Is" 19:34 We're More Boring Than We Think 23:35 How Much Does Appearance Matter? 26:33 How To Tame The Nerves 30:27 Advice for Parents 32:40 Interview Wrap Up 33:12 Andy Comments After the Interview 38:22 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Terri, her book, and her research at SjodinCommunications.com. If you’d like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out: Episode 378, with Bill McGowan Episode 246, with Steven Rogelberg Episode 189, with HBR Editor Dan McGinn AI for Project Managers and Leaders With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work. This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity. Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Underground Shadows by Musiclfiles License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license