Latest news with #LynnSmith
Forbes
23-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why Executives Are Preparing All Wrong For High-Stakes Communication
Lynn Smith, CEO, Lynn Smith Media & Communications. Advisor/Coach, Speaker, and Former News Anchor for TODAY, NBC, CNN Headline News. getty Executive presence is the critical difference between influence and irrelevance. While organizations invest millions in developing technical expertise, the uncomfortable truth remains: Exceptional leaders aren't distinguished by what they know, but by how effectively they communicate it. It's not a matter of working harder. In fact, in my experience, many executives are over-preparing, but focusing on the wrong things. They're cramming data, rehearsing every bullet point and building presentations packed with information. But when the pressure hits? That data often takes a back seat to something much more essential: clarity, presence and the ability to connect. Here's the reality: When the boardroom door closes and the spotlight turns your way, your meticulously compiled data points and exhaustively rehearsed bullet points often fade into insignificance. In moments that matter, leadership impact hinges on your ability to project clarity, embody authentic presence and forge genuine connection. The paradox facing today's executives is both pervasive and costly. They're not underpreparing; they're misdirecting their preparation. They're perfecting presentations while neglecting presence, memorizing messages while overlooking the messenger. And in doing so, they're systematically undermining the very impact they're desperate to achieve. What follows is a radical reframing of executive communication that challenges conventional wisdom and offers a transformative approach to leadership presence that delivers results when stakes are highest. According to a 2015 survey by Harvard Business Review, a staggering 91% of employees believe their leaders lack critical communication skills. This points to a real leadership gap. In high-stakes moments, trust and buy-in are earned not through more information, but through meaningful, clear and intentional delivery. And the cost of getting it wrong is massive. Poor communication leads to disengagement, confusion and costly misunderstandings. In fact, research shows that poor communication costs companies as much as $12,506 per employee each year. That's not a minor inefficiency—it's a strategic liability. On the flip side, when communication is done right, the business benefits are measurable. "Employees who receive sufficient information from their employer are 35% more likely to stay in their jobs for the next year." Let me tell you about a moment that stopped one of my clients in her tracks. She walked into a high-stakes board meeting armed with a flawless deck, dozens of pages of detailed financials and hours of rehearsal under her belt. She was ready ... or so she thought. But once the meeting started? The material on those meticulously crafted charts didn't come up. What did come up? Strategy. Vision. Her ability to respond in real time, tell a compelling story and lead the room through uncertainty. She wasn't underprepared—she had prepared the wrong way. I introduced her to a philosophy I teach every client stepping into a pressure-filled moment: Drill down—don't dumb down. It's not about watering down your message. It's about cutting through the clutter to amplify what truly matters. You don't need to say everything you know. You need to say the one thing your audience will remember—and feel. Ask yourself: • What do I want them to walk away believing? • What's the decision I want to move them toward? • What don't I need to say to get there? Elite athletes don't show up hoping adrenaline will carry them through. They train for game day. And in high-stakes communication, you should, too. Here's the framework I use with my executive clients: 1. Trim the excess. Clarity wins. Cut anything that doesn't directly support your core message. 2. Anchor to impact. Forget proving how much you know. Serve your audience by showing them what matters. 3. Train your mindset. Visualize success. Rehearse under pressure. And most of all, lead with intention. This routine transforms stress into presence. Clients often walk away saying things like, "That was the first time I felt like I wasn't performing—I was leading." Exactly. If you're preparing for your next big moment by adding more slides, more notes and more data ... pause. The most effective executives today are shifting from more to intentional, from informing to influencing. Because the room won't remember how many bullet points you had. They'll remember how clearly you led them. How confidently you spoke. How unshakable you felt. And that's the kind of preparation that earns trust, builds momentum and changes outcomes. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
Forbes
16-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Trust Gap: How Gen-Z Can Communicate Their Value
Lynn Smith, CEO, Lynn Smith Media & Communications. Advisor/Coach, Speaker, and Former News Anchor for TODAY, NBC, CNN Headline News. Let's talk about the elephant in the room: trust. Or, more specifically, the trust gap between Gen-Z and their employers. The headlines are everywhere—companies are hesitant to hire young professionals, and when they do, they're quick to let them go. According to one in six companies admit they're wary of hiring recent college grads, citing concerns about professionalism, communication skills and workplace readiness. It also reports that some Gen-Z hires are getting the boot just months into their new roles. But let's pause for a second: What's really going on here? And more importantly, how can Gen-Z shift the narrative? According to a 2022 Gallup Poll, 54% of Gen-Z employees, slightly higher than any other generation, are ambivalent or not engaged at work. This may be one reason for the perception of Gen-Z as difficult to work with or manage. But is this really a Gen-Z problem? Or are businesses simply failing to evolve with a new generation of workers? One major friction point? Communication. Gen-Z grew up in a world where texts, emojis and short-form videos are the norm. But in many industries, their casual communication style clashes with old-school corporate expectations. The survey referenced above highlights that 39% of employers who fired Gen-Z workers cited lack of communication skills as the reason. In my and clients' experience, there's a perception that younger hires don't engage enough in traditional face-to-face interactions—something critical for networking and relationship-building. Then there's the work ethic debate. Gen-Z prioritizes work-life balance, mental health and flexibility—values that older generations sometimes misinterpret as a lack of drive. But here's the truth: Gen-Z isn't afraid of hard work. They just refuse to measure success by outdated standards like who logs the most hours at their desk. They're focused on efficiency, impact and doing work that actually matters. If Gen-Z wants to be taken seriously, they need to take control of their own narrative. Here's how: Like it or not, perception matters. Learning how to navigate workplace communication—whether it's crafting professional emails, speaking up in meetings or mastering the art of small talk—will set you apart. The workplace is unpredictable. The employees who thrive are the ones who embrace change, seek out challenges and show they can pivot when needed. Be that person. Yes, Zoom calls and Slack messages are great. But if you want to build real trust, make the effort to engage in person. Show up, shake hands and make eye contact. It makes a difference. Actions speak louder than words. Meet deadlines, take initiative and follow through on commitments. Consistency builds credibility. Trust isn't just Gen-Z's problem—companies need to step up, too. If organizations want to attract and retain top young talent, they need to meet them halfway. That means investing in mentorship, setting clear expectations and embracing new ways of working instead of clinging to outdated models. Gen-Z isn't a liability; they're an asset. They bring fresh ideas, digital fluency and a passion for meaningful work. The key is finding common ground. When businesses and young professionals work together to bridge this trust gap, everyone wins. The bottom line? Trust isn't given—it's earned. But with strong communication, adaptability and initiative, Gen-Z can rewrite the story and prove that they're not just ready for the workplace—they're ready to lead. Forbes Finance Council is an invitation-only organization for executives in successful accounting, financial planning and wealth management firms. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Augusta residents rebuild and reflect on Hurricane Helene's impact
(WJBF) – 'Dispatch to all fire units, all fire units. If you are not on a structure fire or life threatening call, return to your station immediately!' 'I got a text from my friend that said the eyewall is about to hit, get to cover,' said Lynn Smith. 'Engine 3, respond to 107 Wesley Drive. 107 Wesley Drive for a tree on a house. Also fell on a 12 year old.' September 27th, 2024. A night no one in Augusta will ever forget. 'We moved into the stairwell toward our basement and it was so loud,' said Smith. '6813, Listen, we're up here in this neighborhood. We've got trees falling all the way around us.' 'I was actually asleep in their guest room when a tree fell into the room I was in,' said Carolyn Craw. 'Go where you can go, whatever station you can go to. But go there, get in, get out. Um there's nothing else we can do at this moment but you've got to get inside'. 'They came upstairs running and they just kept screaming my name and they said they thought I was dead. And I was like, I'm okay, I'm okay,' said Craw. 'We just kept feeling things hit. And then we felt wind in the house and heard water,' said Smith. 'It was terrifying. It was pitch black dark. And again we just didn't know what was happening.' Everyone knew Hurricane Helene was moving towards Augusta, but no one expected this to happen… 'We expected it to take more of a westerly track and weaken greatly as it moved inland. It did not. It moved more towards the North east and we ended up having to deal with the dirty side of a Category 1 hurricane,' said WJBF morning Meteorologist, John Lynn. 'It was terrifying. It was pitch black dark. And again we just didn't know what was happening.' For hours, people stayed inside, hunkered down, heeding the warnings. 'We really didn't think we'd see any injuries. If we did we thought they'd be minor, but unfortunately 35 people lost their life,' said Lynn. When dawn broke, and people like Lynn Smith mustered up the courage to go outside. 'We lived in a forest. It's gone. It was all down. Walton Way was downed trees. We were all just walking around in a daze,' said Smith. More than 40 trees were down, on or around, the Smith's home in the 'Hill' area which was devastated. It's one of the most recognizable neighborhoods in Augusta and just a few miles from Augusta National Golf Club. 'Every person since then who has come and seen the devastation, they say you really don't understand it until you see it,' said Smith. And it wasn't just buildings that were destroyed. 'I came over the hill on No. 4, and couldn't believe the damage on this golf course.' Char Cormier is the General Manager of Forest Hills Golf Club, a four mile drive from Augusta National. 'There were thousands of trees down the fairways. Flooding, the pond was way behind some of the greens 2 or 300 yards away. But the tree damage was really bad,' said Cormier. The range and rain shelters were demolished, nets and fences were down. Cormier was faced with a huge mess to clean up. 'You had to cut our way in. You couldn't get down the roads so everyone was parked about a mile away,' said Cormier. It was a common scene that day: cutting your way through downed trees, with power lines everywhere. Steve Cassell is the city's debris manager. Cassell's team has been responsible for the cleanup, something no one in Augusta has ever dealt with. 'A lot of people went through hell that night. And it's not just the trees. Just think about what was happening while they were falling and people were in the houses. You look at the amount of debris and trees that came down. I mean we're at, almost over 3 million, Columbia County over 3 million – so 6 million. We'd fill Sanford Stadium twice with that.. So if you've ever been to a football game just imagine that being filled up with debris.' Augusta's old baseball stadium is one of 7 debris sites. This one alone has been filled up at least 8 times. 'We're still dealing with a lot but it's starting to come together a little bit though,' said Cassell. While the city cleans up from the storm, it's also preparing to welcome visitors from around the world for The Masters. 'The first Masters I came to I came down Wheeler Road and I loved the street trees. I think if you come down those areas, you're going to notice houses that you didn't even know existed. Or you're going to see houses behind houses that you didn't even know were there,' said Cassell. Golf week is also a time when many visitors like to relax and play golf themselves. 'The normal person would have walked in here and said you guys won't be cleaned up for 6 months. Well, we all thought that too in the beginning,' said Cormier. But despite the challenges, Forest Hills was able to open back up in just 30 days. It looks a bit different now, but many may enjoy it even more. 'It's a similar atmosphere to Augusta National now because the different venues you can see when the sun's coming up or going down. It's pretty,' said Cormier. One way or the other, every Masters visitor will notice a difference. 'I'm sure that the Masters' guests that come year after year, they're going to be shocked because this neighborhood was a forest. And the tree canopy is gone. It's disappeared,' said Smith. 'So 20 years we've lived here and it's just really sad. Just because this was our home growing up and all, and now it's just very different,' said Craw. Chainsaws roaring has replaced birds chirping as the sound of Spring in the Garden City. But another new normal has blossomed: strangers quickly turning into friends and family. Helping to a heal a community, so badly hurt. 'I think everyone has been in such good spirits. Like as a neighborhood we've all just kind of gotten together and everyone's sharing,' said Craw. 'It gives you just this enormous sense of community…and caring,' said Smith. Gary Hipps Photojournalist. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
