Hi, Karin  - great post:)

As soon as I started reading, I immediately thought of my most impacting early experience presenting to senior folks:  As a shiny new company-grade US Army officer briefing field-grade (higher rank) and even general officers (higher still).

Almost everything on your list applies seamlessly to my experience - you have really created a solid and comprehensive listing of what someone needs to consider and learn if they expect to be taken seriously when talking to senior staff, whether in or out of uniform.

I did have to smile at the one point about keeping your slides clean.  I am personally a big fan of the one-word or short phrase with an engaging visual on each screen approach and cringe noticeably when I see a slide full of data or, worst-case scenario, a spread sheet.

However, I have found that those among us who value data (in DISC language, High C's) find letting go of the need to share it all difficult.  I wonder if they are just unable to convieve that someone else might not want or need access to all the facts, figures, and data that they consider essential for decision-making or whether they are used reluctant to change their traditional approach to sharing.

What experiences have you had with this?

John