August 2026 - Leader Briefings

Briefings for organizational leaders require a different approach than other presentations. They are less about presenting slides and more about communicating information, answering questions, and supporting decisions.

Think of briefing as a verb: you are briefing the leader. The slide deck is not the briefing; it is simply a tool that helps you communicate.

Expect the leader to ask questions and engage in conversation. You must know your material and be prepared to discuss more than what appears on the slides. If you do not know an answer, never guess. Say you will get the information, write down the task, and follow through. Whenever possible, rehearse the briefing before presenting it.

If possible, have a scribe capture questions, decisions, and follow-up actions while also monitoring time. Never exceed the allotted time; tailor your briefing accordingly. If you are alone, have a notepad and clock available.

Keep the deck simple. Use only the slides and level of detail necessary to communicate your message. Avoid unnecessary technical or process information and overloaded slides. The 7-by-7 rule, approximately seven lines and seven words per line, is a useful guideline.

Use graphs, charts, images, and tables only when they directly support what you are saying. Remember: if you put a number on a slide, expect the leader to ask about it. Know its source and significance.

Place detailed supporting information in a backup section for use if the discussion goes deeper. For additional guidance on structuring backup data and supporting information, see the July 2023 TKG blog, “Opportunity Updates.”

A final thought:  Remember, brief the information, not the slide deck.