Know your audience

Give me five different audiences, and I will give five different presentations. If I notice if someone is impatient, upset, or confused, I will change my communications strategy midstream.

This is what effective communicators do. They adapt their tone, message, and words to fit what their current audience needs.

If you get the opportunity to present to your CEO, you should do it differently than when you’re pitching an idea to your (two levels down) boss. The difference shouldn’t be based upon his or her title; your presentation should be based upon how the other person thinks. Does s/he prefer facts or anecdotes? Is s/he driven by ego or results?