Leadership and Business Skills · tool 10 of 11
Speaking to Executives
Speaking to Executives: gets a decision in five minutes rather than an hour.
Best for: Steering meetings, updates · Time: 20 min to prepare
Domain: Across all domains · Focus area: Executing
How it works
Executives want the point, the implication and what you need. Start with the answer, using the pyramid principle from Barbara Minto, then support it.
- Lead with the recommendation.
- Use numbers they care about.
- State what you need.
How to apply it
- Write one sentence: what’s the message?
- Add three supporting facts.
- Say what you need and by when.
- Keep details in reserve.
In practice
“We’ll miss June by two weeks unless we drop the export. I recommend dropping it. I need your yes today.”
Pro tip
If they’d read just one line, make sure it’s the first one.
Quick check
Where does the recommendation go?
Sources
- B. Minto, The Pyramid Principle
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 against the PMBOK® Guide, 8th edition · Practitioner review pending · How this guide is made