Test Your Opening

Before any important presentation, test your opening on three people who will give honest feedback. Ask one question: "After my first sentence, did you want to hear more?" If the answer is not an immediate yes, redesign the opening before you go live.

Strong openings work everywhere, not just on stage. In meetings: open with the decision needed, not the background. In emails: put the request in the first line, not after three paragraphs. In conversations: lead with the most urgent point.