An observation I have had for some time is the inability of some people to bring a conversation or presentation to a conclusion.
I have a most annoying relative who talks continuously but never brings the conversation to a conclusion. I am sure you know similar people.
Show business:
How often have you read a book or watched a movie that should have finished much sooner but did not?
Think of the number of times you have spent hours watching a movie or TV series only to be disappointed by the ending. Ten-episode series on TV that would have been much more exciting and memorable had they finished sooner.
Writers:
Some years ago, I read a newspaper article that explained that successful authors advise that when writing a book, the first thing they did was to write the last sentence.
Stop:
Great writers and moviemakers have learned this critical skill.
“Start with the end in mind.”
Stephen Covey
When I start coaching people for a specific presentation, we always start at the end.
One of the essential skills I coach a speaker to develop is how to bring their presentation to a conclusion.
Do this by telling the audience how they will benefit from taking your suggestion on board, and then STOP.
Pause and say:
I have time for questions; who has the first question?
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