This week in the world’s #1 newsletter on leadership communication:
- 15 Power Moves to Ace Virtual Meetings
- FREE Workshop: From AI User to AI Leader
- How to Get to the Point
- How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience
15 Power Moves to Ace Virtual Meetings
Zoom calls are here to stay.
Often for hours every day.
The problem?
Most of them still feel awkward, forgettable, or draining.
These 15 power moves will make you the most impactful person on any Zoom call.
Use them to lead with confidence, even from your kitchen table. ⤵
1. Optimize your setup
Use a proper mic, never the mics in your headphones – headphones are optimized for listening, not speaking.
Avoid headsets. You don’t work in a call center.
Camera at eye level.
2. Don’t blur your background.
People think you have something to hide.
3. Adapt your body language
Face the camera. Show your head and shoulders.
A standing desk helps you project energy.
Raise your hands a little higher than normal so people can see them when you speak.
4. Show up early
A sign of professionalism and respect.
5. Have your documents ready
Avoid those 30 seconds of awkward silence while you frantically look for the right document.
6. Welcome people with their names
It creates instant connection.
7. Project authority
Speak clearly, use pauses, and lead with intention.
8. Master presence
Turn off notifications, messages and commit your focus.
People can tell when your attention is elsewhere.
9. Be generous with your energy
Virtual meetings are an energy filter. Inject energy to make them enjoyable and to get them done quickly.
10. Keep eye contact
Look into the camera 60-70% of the time. Suggest everyone has their cameras on.
11. Read the room
Watch faces, tones and silences.
12. Show you are listening
Use facial expressions, nods and short verbal cues.
13. Master muting
Let’s make “You are still on mute” history.
14. Facilitate clarity
Summarize take-aways and assign next steps.
15. End five minutes early
Ten minutes before the end, say “we only have a few minutes left, so let’s agree on next steps.”
People will love you for it.
How you handle virtual meetings is key to efficiency and to avoiding burnout.
When on a call, don’t multitask and do emails. This kind of task-switching is what makes us feel exhausted at the end of the day.
What’s next? Check your calendar for next week and decline just one call. Then build on that momentum.
FREE WORKSHOP
From AI User to AI Leader
AI is reshaping how we think, communicate, and lead. But many leaders feel:
- Behind the curve – while peers seem to be moving ahead
- Unsure where to start – tools and jargon feel overwhelming
- Pressed for time – no room to “experiment” in a high-stakes role.
Yet one thing is clear: We are at an inflection point. Leaders either build an AI edge and create lasting impact – or get left behind.
My friend JD Meier and I want to help you get that edge in two free workshops.
In these live workshops you will:
- Learn how to think better with AI → faster decisions, sharper clarity
- Learn how to communicate better with AI → build trust and overcome fear
- Learn how to lead better with AI → lead AI agents & people who lead AI agents
JD is the Former Head Innovation Coach for Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella (the world’s most valuable company and an AI leader).
He is also the bestselling author of Getting Results the Agile Way. JD helps top leaders master high performance, innovation and leadership with AI.
The workshops are on
- June 18th, 10 AM PST / 7pm CEST
- June 20th, 10 AM PST / 7pm CEST
As a bonus, you’ll get JD’s Clarity GPT Blueprint that will help you 10X Your Leadership Impact with AI.
PODCAST
How to Get to the Point
I do a podcast to help you become a top 1% communicator. Please subscribe.
If you don’t have a point, everything you say is pointless.
This week on Speak Like a CEO, I speak to Joel Schwartzberg, communication expert and author of “The Language of Leadership” and “Get to the Point” (updated edition out this month).
Two of his concepts that stuck with me:
The “I Believe That” Test:
If you think you’ve got a point, stick “I believe that…” in front of your sentence.
- ❌ “I believe that podcasting…” ← Nope. That’s a topic.
- ✅ “I believe that podcasting is the best way to reach millennials.” ← Boom. That’s a point.
The XY Test:
If X, then Y.
Example: “If we start a podcast (X), we’ll better connect with millennials (Y).”
If either side is missing, your message is half-baked.
We have a highly actionable conversation about avoiding rambling for good, ditching the performance and instead delivering your message like a real human, and escaping the trap of truisms.
Listen to the full episode here:
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience
I've read plenty of books on pitching and have recommended a few here. What I love about Danny Fontaine's brand new book is that it is so universally applicable.
It's not just for high rolling deals or B2B sales. What he offers are universal principles and an all-purpose framework for pitching.
To be clear, there is no repeatable, infallible formula to create a perfect pitch. That’s because we are dealing with humans and their thoughts and emotions.
But there are identifiable and repeatable techniques that increase our chances of success.
Here are 5 of Danny’s principles that resonate hard with me:
- A PowerPoint deck is not a pitch. Slides come last, not first.
- Create anomalies. Interrupt patterns to get noticed.
- Find your true differentiation. What's unique about your idea or product?
- Be emotional. Pure logic fails to persuade.
- Be authentic. If the audience suspects you are playing a role, they won’t trust you.
Stay true & have an inspired weekend!
Oliver
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