Presentation Skills HQ - Justin O'Brien

03/12/2025

AI-Powered Leadership

Part 1 of a research-based series exploring AI’s impact on leadership. This post summarises the excerpt from AI-powered leadership: a systematic literature review by Aziz et al. (2025) When AI delivers a 'data-driven' decision, who is responsible for the social and ethical fallout if it goes wrong? The relationship between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and leadership is rapidly evolving, leading to diverse views on what constitutes AI-powered leadership…...

Part 1 of a research-based series exploring AI’s impact on leadership. This post summarises the excerpt from AI-powered leadership: a systematic literature review by Aziz et al. (2025) When AI deli…

03/12/2025

Enhancing top managers’ leadership with artificial intelligence

Part 1 of a research-based series exploring AI’s impact on leadership. This post summarises the excerpt from Bevilacqua et al. (2025), “Enhancing top managers' leadership with artificial intelligence insights from a systematic literature review” In the AI era, are executive leaders truly adapting, or are they just layering technology over outdated strategic mindsets? This systematic literature review, drawing on Upper Echelons Theory (UET), maps how AI radically restructures the managerial processes of organizations…...

Part 1 of a research-based series exploring AI’s impact on leadership. This post summarises the excerpt from Bevilacqua et al. (2025), “Enhancing top managers’ leadership with artificial inte…

05/12/2024

'Speak up more,' they told the project manager. 'Show more confidence,' they said. But forced authority is failing your construction bids. Here's what actually builds authentic authority in bid presentations, based on coaching 100+ construction managers: Silent Power: Using strategic pauses to emphasize key points and let critical information land Impact Focus: Connecting every technical feature to measurable business outcomes…...

‘Speak up more,’ they told the project manager. ‘Show more confidence,’ they said. But forced authority is failing your construction bids. Here’s what actually builds …

04/12/2024

"Great presentation," they said. Then you lost the $75M bid. Because the real decision-maker never saw it... After losing a massive project last year, a bid team did something different: They mapped the REAL decision chain. Here's what we discovered: The Shadow Board: Junior staff members who brief senior executives The Technical Validators: Engineers who never attend presentations The Risk Committee: A separate team evaluating every major project…...

“Great presentation,” they said. Then you lost the $75M bid. Because the real decision-maker never saw it… After losing a massive project last year, a bid team did something diffe…

03/12/2024

Three minutes into your presentation. The client asks a question. Your lead engineer contradicts your project manager. The room temperature drops 10 degrees... Let's talk about presentation gaslighting and how it destroys construction bids: * The Authority Shuffle: Team members undermining each other's expertise* The Technical Spiral: Engineers diving into details to prove superiority* The Confidence Crash: Body language showing internal discord…...

Three minutes into your presentation.The client asks a question. Your lead engineer contradicts your project manager. The room temperature drops 10 degrees…Let’s talk about presentation…

02/12/2024

You lost that multi million dollar construction bid last week.- Not because of your technical solution.- Not because of your price.- Not because of your delivery. But because there are two presentations happening in every bid... The one you're giving, and the one they're evaluating. The gap between them is costing you millions... Here's what's really happening in the room:...

You lost that multi million dollar construction bid last week.- Not because of your technical solution.- Not because of your price.- Not because of your delivery.But because there are two presentat…

01/12/2024

They say delivery is 70% of communication impact. That's like saying the sound mix is 70% of a hit song's impact. Both miss a critical truth: You need:- A producer with vision- A songwriter with talent- A song worth mixing In your next bid presentation:Be the Producer first:- Chart the strategy- Know your audience…...

They say delivery is 70% of communication impact.That’s like saying the sound mix is 70% of a hit song’s impact.Both miss a critical truth:You need:- A producer with vision- A songwrite…

05/08/2024

Unlocking Human Potential: The Trifecta of Learning Theories in Corporate Training
As AI revolutionizes corporate training, understanding how people learn is more crucial than ever. Let's explore three foundational learning theories that can supercharge your training programs:
Behaviourism: Focus on observable behaviors and reinforcement. Think performance-based assessments and clear objectives.
Cognitivism: Emphasize mental processes. Implement interactive modules, case studies, and knowledge checks.
Constructivism: Build knowledge through experiences. Encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and real-world applications.
The magic happens when you blend these approaches! By integrating all three, you create comprehensive training programs that establish clear expectations, enhance critical thinking, and foster innovation.
Before fully embracing AI in training, it's essential to ground our approach in these time-tested theories. This ensures that technology enhances, rather than replaces, the human elements of learning.
How are you applying these theories in your organization's training programs? Share your experiences below!
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https://presentationskillshq.com/2024/08/05/foundational-learning-theories-behaviourism-cognitivism-constructivism/

07/12/2022

https://presentationskillshq.com/2022/12/07/dont-do-it-professor-wegner-reveals-why-telling-yourself-not-to-think-about-something-increases-the-likelihood-of-doing-it/

Ironic Process Photo by Robert Anthony Carbone on Pexels.com Professor Daniel M. Wegner has discovered a phenomenon that is surprisingly common – telling yourself not to do or think about som…

06/12/2022

https://presentationskillshq.com/2022/12/06/stop-talking-and-start-gesturing-8-ways-to-make-an-impact-with-nonverbal-communication/