The Message Portfolio
The most effective leaders have a portfolio of messages to answer 7 key leadership questions. In this article, we have organized these message into 4 core presentations:
* Your BRAND: Share who are you and what you stand for
* Your PITCH: Advise audience how to make the best choice
* Your SOLUTION: Teach audience how to solve a problem
* Your KEYNOTE": Inspire audience to support a vision
Your Brand
By mastering this presentation, you will be fully prepared for opening remarks, podcasts & media interviews, and conversations with prospective team members or partners.
When you step on stage, the audience is evaluating whether to trust your voice. Before sharing your content, begin by sharing "Who you are" and "What you stand for". Specifically, you want the audience to know your vision, like your values and trust your vows (the bold promises you make).
In this presentation, leaders often share a personal story that highlights a key element of their character. Sometimes, they share an origin story that describes the moment they committed to their vision for the future.
Your Pitch
By mastering this presentation, you will be fully prepared for client conversations, meetings with potential investors, and opportunities to demonstrate your product or service.
The reason audiences choose to attend this presentation is to find a solution for the problem they face. They may have multiple solutions to evaluate, and want to ask a leader "Which do you recommend?" Some in the audience may believe that the problem is unsolvable, and desperately wants a recognized authority to to share with them "What is Possible?"
During this presentation, share a case study that highlights the credibility of the potential solution. Next, build upon this story to help the audience imagine themselves on a similar journey of success.
Your Solution
By mastering this presentation, you will be fully prepared for your most important internal presentations: company town hall meetings, sales kickoff events, board of director presentations, and crisis communications.
In times of uncertainly, audience look to respected leaders to answer two key questions: "Where are we going?" and "How will we get there?" This presentation begins with specific milestones for the organization, and continues with teaching a strategy to achieve them.
In this presentation, highlight the intermediate milestones as well as the ultimate destination. Be sure to describe the team celebrations that will take place at each and every milestone. Include success stories that showcase your team's competencies to communicate "We have what it takes!"
Your Keynote
By mastering this presentation, you will be fully prepared for your most important external presentations: conference breakout presentations, panel discussions, and a keynote on the main stage.
During this presentation, changemakers will layer in stories that connect the audience to the emotions of having the problem, and the emotions of solving the problem. A successful keynote will result in audience members choosing to support the future vision with their money, support, or reputation.
Summary - The Message Portfolio
- To be an effective leader, start by composing a message portfolio that answers the following leadership questions:
* BRAND = Who are you? What do you stand for?
* PITCH = Which do you recommend? What is possible?
* SOLUTION = Where are we going? How will we get there?
* KEYNOTE = Why is this important?
Next, create a habit of practice and build your ecosystem for practice. Make time for practice and you will be fully prepared for your high stakes speaking opportunities
Build Your Message Portfolio
Build Your Message Portfolio
To build your message portfolio,, consider joining our Synchronized Communications MasterClass. Over the course of 12 sessions, you will compose 4 core presentations to be fully prepared for your most important presentations and conversations. In our presentation gym, you will learn to use the 7 voices of leadership to communicate trust, create connection and build relationships with your audience.
Schedule an appointment with one of our executive communications coaches, and learn how the MasterClass will prepare you to generate money, support and reputation from all of your leadership presentations.