From the diary of Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
- Where are you from originally? What are some of your favorite memories as a child?
- They say that first impressions last and are made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. What personal attributes convey a positive first impression to you?
- Can you tell me which teacher during your school years had the most profound effect on you and what qualities did you see in that teacher?
Professional Career
Leadership Advice
- What is your favorite book and can you explain what you like about it?
- What do you think about Executives Diary?
- It can be very hard to control students, especially focus their concentration on the work at hand. What is the best technique to maintain control?
- Writer's block is common problem for everyone. Do you have a technique that you can share with us to overcome this problem?
- Learning English as foreign language is desirable for most non native English speakers. What is the best piece of advice that you could give someone trying to learn English?
- It will be a boring monochrome world to live in if we're all the same. Luckily everyone on the planet has different talents and abilities. Which abilities do you think will be more in demand by the employers of the future? And why is that?
- Technology seems to impact every sphere of humanity. Classrooms have changed and now incorporate many different types of IT equipment. What do you think the classrooms of the future will look like and what new technologies can you imagine?
- Class orientation is often seen to be important by many educators. Sometimes the students face each other in groups or face forwards towards the teacher depending on the task at hand. Would you imagine that workspace orientation is essential too? And how do you think workspaces should be structured?
- Confidently presenting is a challenge for most executives. Can you share any basic advice about presenting to a large audience?
- What attributes should a leader have? And what techniques can they use to develop these attributes?
Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
Where are you from originally? What are some of your favorite memories as a child?
My earliest school memory is not a good one. I remember a cold, cruel kindergarten teacher. I remember her yelling at me when I asked to get a tissue for a runny nose, and I remember her picking on a little boy for frequently wetting his pants. Despite a lousy teacher, I still enjoyed school for learning. Being a second child, I was eager to go to school and learn new things like my older sister.
From the diary of Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
- Where are you from originally? What are some of your favorite memories as a child?
- They say that first impressions last and are made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. What personal attributes convey a positive first impression to you?
- Can you tell me which teacher during your school years had the most profound effect on you and what qualities did you see in that teacher?
Professional Career
Leadership Advice
- What is your favorite book and can you explain what you like about it?
- What do you think about Executives Diary?
- It can be very hard to control students, especially focus their concentration on the work at hand. What is the best technique to maintain control?
- Writer's block is common problem for everyone. Do you have a technique that you can share with us to overcome this problem?
- Learning English as foreign language is desirable for most non native English speakers. What is the best piece of advice that you could give someone trying to learn English?
- It will be a boring monochrome world to live in if we're all the same. Luckily everyone on the planet has different talents and abilities. Which abilities do you think will be more in demand by the employers of the future? And why is that?
- Technology seems to impact every sphere of humanity. Classrooms have changed and now incorporate many different types of IT equipment. What do you think the classrooms of the future will look like and what new technologies can you imagine?
- Class orientation is often seen to be important by many educators. Sometimes the students face each other in groups or face forwards towards the teacher depending on the task at hand. Would you imagine that workspace orientation is essential too? And how do you think workspaces should be structured?
- Confidently presenting is a challenge for most executives. Can you share any basic advice about presenting to a large audience?
- What attributes should a leader have? And what techniques can they use to develop these attributes?
Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
They say that first impressions last and are made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. What personal attributes convey a positive first impression to you?
Openness. I love meeting new people and connecting with other passionate professionals. The attributes that attract me most to these new connections are an openness to communicate and collaborate, a growth mindset (because we should all be continuous learners) and kindness. Those attributes are hard to fake in those first impressions. Together they lead to authenticity that I try to possess, myself and enjoy finding in others.
From the diary of Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
- Where are you from originally? What are some of your favorite memories as a child?
- They say that first impressions last and are made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. What personal attributes convey a positive first impression to you?
- Can you tell me which teacher during your school years had the most profound effect on you and what qualities did you see in that teacher?
Professional Career
Leadership Advice
- What is your favorite book and can you explain what you like about it?
- What do you think about Executives Diary?
- It can be very hard to control students, especially focus their concentration on the work at hand. What is the best technique to maintain control?
- Writer's block is common problem for everyone. Do you have a technique that you can share with us to overcome this problem?
- Learning English as foreign language is desirable for most non native English speakers. What is the best piece of advice that you could give someone trying to learn English?
- It will be a boring monochrome world to live in if we're all the same. Luckily everyone on the planet has different talents and abilities. Which abilities do you think will be more in demand by the employers of the future? And why is that?
- Technology seems to impact every sphere of humanity. Classrooms have changed and now incorporate many different types of IT equipment. What do you think the classrooms of the future will look like and what new technologies can you imagine?
- Class orientation is often seen to be important by many educators. Sometimes the students face each other in groups or face forwards towards the teacher depending on the task at hand. Would you imagine that workspace orientation is essential too? And how do you think workspaces should be structured?
- Confidently presenting is a challenge for most executives. Can you share any basic advice about presenting to a large audience?
- What attributes should a leader have? And what techniques can they use to develop these attributes?
Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
Can you tell me which teacher during your school years had the most profound effect on you and what qualities did you see in that teacher?
I had several "favorite" teachers over the years. If I had to pick on, I would have to select my third and fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Barb Ihnen. I grew up in the 80s, and she practiced innovative teaching strategies that were not the norm then. She differentiated our math and spelling lessons so that we were working at our own pace, on the materials we were ready to learn. In fourth grade, my class received the very first computer of the school (an Apple IIe), and she helped us set up a corporation to create signs, banners, and greeting cards (thank you Print Shop). We all had roles (I was in the marketing department), and we advertised to the entire school, took orders, and created the products our customers wanted. Above all of the fun teaching and learning Mrs. Ihnen provided, we knew that she genuinely cared about each of us as humans. She made it clear that we mattered - that's what stayed with me the most throughout my years as a student, and then when I became a teacher, as well.
From the diary of Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
- Where are you from originally? What are some of your favorite memories as a child?
- They say that first impressions last and are made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. What personal attributes convey a positive first impression to you?
- Can you tell me which teacher during your school years had the most profound effect on you and what qualities did you see in that teacher?
Professional Career
Leadership Advice
- What is your favorite book and can you explain what you like about it?
- What do you think about Executives Diary?
- It can be very hard to control students, especially focus their concentration on the work at hand. What is the best technique to maintain control?
- Writer's block is common problem for everyone. Do you have a technique that you can share with us to overcome this problem?
- Learning English as foreign language is desirable for most non native English speakers. What is the best piece of advice that you could give someone trying to learn English?
- It will be a boring monochrome world to live in if we're all the same. Luckily everyone on the planet has different talents and abilities. Which abilities do you think will be more in demand by the employers of the future? And why is that?
- Technology seems to impact every sphere of humanity. Classrooms have changed and now incorporate many different types of IT equipment. What do you think the classrooms of the future will look like and what new technologies can you imagine?
- Class orientation is often seen to be important by many educators. Sometimes the students face each other in groups or face forwards towards the teacher depending on the task at hand. Would you imagine that workspace orientation is essential too? And how do you think workspaces should be structured?
- Confidently presenting is a challenge for most executives. Can you share any basic advice about presenting to a large audience?
- What attributes should a leader have? And what techniques can they use to develop these attributes?
Janelle McLaughlin's story
Professional Career
Teaching can be unpredictable, and children can say some funny things, especially 1st and 2nd graders. Do you have an anecdote that you can share with us?
Oh, I have heard some hilarious things come from the mouths of my students (many that would embarrass their parents)! One little girl told me that her dad liked to pick dead skin off his feet and eat it. Another little boy said to me that he was all plugged up with poop because he loved cheese so much. You just never really know what kids are going to say. That's one of the reasons I love working with young children so much - their honesty and lack of inhibitions.
From the diary of Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
- Where are you from originally? What are some of your favorite memories as a child?
- They say that first impressions last and are made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. What personal attributes convey a positive first impression to you?
- Can you tell me which teacher during your school years had the most profound effect on you and what qualities did you see in that teacher?
Professional Career
Leadership Advice
- What is your favorite book and can you explain what you like about it?
- What do you think about Executives Diary?
- It can be very hard to control students, especially focus their concentration on the work at hand. What is the best technique to maintain control?
- Writer's block is common problem for everyone. Do you have a technique that you can share with us to overcome this problem?
- Learning English as foreign language is desirable for most non native English speakers. What is the best piece of advice that you could give someone trying to learn English?
- It will be a boring monochrome world to live in if we're all the same. Luckily everyone on the planet has different talents and abilities. Which abilities do you think will be more in demand by the employers of the future? And why is that?
- Technology seems to impact every sphere of humanity. Classrooms have changed and now incorporate many different types of IT equipment. What do you think the classrooms of the future will look like and what new technologies can you imagine?
- Class orientation is often seen to be important by many educators. Sometimes the students face each other in groups or face forwards towards the teacher depending on the task at hand. Would you imagine that workspace orientation is essential too? And how do you think workspaces should be structured?
- Confidently presenting is a challenge for most executives. Can you share any basic advice about presenting to a large audience?
- What attributes should a leader have? And what techniques can they use to develop these attributes?
Janelle McLaughlin's story
Leadership Advice
What is your favorite book and can you explain what you like about it?
I love to read! I read so much that I could never claim one as my favorite. I always have a fictional piece going for my enjoyment and at least one professional book that I'm reading for personal growth. Two that I'm reading right now for professional growth are Herding Tigers by Todd Henry, and Design Thinking for School Leaders by Alyssa Gallagher. Both are incredible books for leaders in any industry.
From the diary of Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
- Where are you from originally? What are some of your favorite memories as a child?
- They say that first impressions last and are made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. What personal attributes convey a positive first impression to you?
- Can you tell me which teacher during your school years had the most profound effect on you and what qualities did you see in that teacher?
Professional Career
Leadership Advice
- What is your favorite book and can you explain what you like about it?
- What do you think about Executives Diary?
- It can be very hard to control students, especially focus their concentration on the work at hand. What is the best technique to maintain control?
- Writer's block is common problem for everyone. Do you have a technique that you can share with us to overcome this problem?
- Learning English as foreign language is desirable for most non native English speakers. What is the best piece of advice that you could give someone trying to learn English?
- It will be a boring monochrome world to live in if we're all the same. Luckily everyone on the planet has different talents and abilities. Which abilities do you think will be more in demand by the employers of the future? And why is that?
- Technology seems to impact every sphere of humanity. Classrooms have changed and now incorporate many different types of IT equipment. What do you think the classrooms of the future will look like and what new technologies can you imagine?
- Class orientation is often seen to be important by many educators. Sometimes the students face each other in groups or face forwards towards the teacher depending on the task at hand. Would you imagine that workspace orientation is essential too? And how do you think workspaces should be structured?
- Confidently presenting is a challenge for most executives. Can you share any basic advice about presenting to a large audience?
- What attributes should a leader have? And what techniques can they use to develop these attributes?
Janelle McLaughlin's story
Leadership Advice
What do you think about Executives Diary?
I love learning (see above!) and what better way to learn than from each other? Executives Diary seeks to glean wisdom from leaders in all industries and connect them with readers everywhere. We can learn from people regardless of workplace commonalities.
I'm looking forward to learning from other professionals through the work being done by Executives Diary.
From the diary of Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
- Where are you from originally? What are some of your favorite memories as a child?
- They say that first impressions last and are made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. What personal attributes convey a positive first impression to you?
- Can you tell me which teacher during your school years had the most profound effect on you and what qualities did you see in that teacher?
Professional Career
Leadership Advice
- What is your favorite book and can you explain what you like about it?
- What do you think about Executives Diary?
- It can be very hard to control students, especially focus their concentration on the work at hand. What is the best technique to maintain control?
- Writer's block is common problem for everyone. Do you have a technique that you can share with us to overcome this problem?
- Learning English as foreign language is desirable for most non native English speakers. What is the best piece of advice that you could give someone trying to learn English?
- It will be a boring monochrome world to live in if we're all the same. Luckily everyone on the planet has different talents and abilities. Which abilities do you think will be more in demand by the employers of the future? And why is that?
- Technology seems to impact every sphere of humanity. Classrooms have changed and now incorporate many different types of IT equipment. What do you think the classrooms of the future will look like and what new technologies can you imagine?
- Class orientation is often seen to be important by many educators. Sometimes the students face each other in groups or face forwards towards the teacher depending on the task at hand. Would you imagine that workspace orientation is essential too? And how do you think workspaces should be structured?
- Confidently presenting is a challenge for most executives. Can you share any basic advice about presenting to a large audience?
- What attributes should a leader have? And what techniques can they use to develop these attributes?
Janelle McLaughlin's story
Leadership Advice
It can be very hard to control students, especially focus their concentration on the work at hand. What is the best technique to maintain control?
I think the best technique focuses on building relationships with each student in the class. When students feel liked and respected, they are more ready and willing to work for that teacher. The other key is to create engaging learning experiences so that they want to work. These experiences need to be authentic and appeal to the student's interests.
From the diary of Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
- Where are you from originally? What are some of your favorite memories as a child?
- They say that first impressions last and are made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. What personal attributes convey a positive first impression to you?
- Can you tell me which teacher during your school years had the most profound effect on you and what qualities did you see in that teacher?
Professional Career
Leadership Advice
- What is your favorite book and can you explain what you like about it?
- What do you think about Executives Diary?
- It can be very hard to control students, especially focus their concentration on the work at hand. What is the best technique to maintain control?
- Writer's block is common problem for everyone. Do you have a technique that you can share with us to overcome this problem?
- Learning English as foreign language is desirable for most non native English speakers. What is the best piece of advice that you could give someone trying to learn English?
- It will be a boring monochrome world to live in if we're all the same. Luckily everyone on the planet has different talents and abilities. Which abilities do you think will be more in demand by the employers of the future? And why is that?
- Technology seems to impact every sphere of humanity. Classrooms have changed and now incorporate many different types of IT equipment. What do you think the classrooms of the future will look like and what new technologies can you imagine?
- Class orientation is often seen to be important by many educators. Sometimes the students face each other in groups or face forwards towards the teacher depending on the task at hand. Would you imagine that workspace orientation is essential too? And how do you think workspaces should be structured?
- Confidently presenting is a challenge for most executives. Can you share any basic advice about presenting to a large audience?
- What attributes should a leader have? And what techniques can they use to develop these attributes?
Janelle McLaughlin's story
Leadership Advice
Writer's block is common problem for everyone. Do you have a technique that you can share with us to overcome this problem?
To help me write regularly, I schedule it on my calendar. I also have a journal that I map out writing ideas as they come to me. Sometimes I'm more intentional about that, by heading pages with specific topics and then I look for related articles, videos, and quotes that can spark inspiration.
From the diary of Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
- Where are you from originally? What are some of your favorite memories as a child?
- They say that first impressions last and are made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. What personal attributes convey a positive first impression to you?
- Can you tell me which teacher during your school years had the most profound effect on you and what qualities did you see in that teacher?
Professional Career
Leadership Advice
- What is your favorite book and can you explain what you like about it?
- What do you think about Executives Diary?
- It can be very hard to control students, especially focus their concentration on the work at hand. What is the best technique to maintain control?
- Writer's block is common problem for everyone. Do you have a technique that you can share with us to overcome this problem?
- Learning English as foreign language is desirable for most non native English speakers. What is the best piece of advice that you could give someone trying to learn English?
- It will be a boring monochrome world to live in if we're all the same. Luckily everyone on the planet has different talents and abilities. Which abilities do you think will be more in demand by the employers of the future? And why is that?
- Technology seems to impact every sphere of humanity. Classrooms have changed and now incorporate many different types of IT equipment. What do you think the classrooms of the future will look like and what new technologies can you imagine?
- Class orientation is often seen to be important by many educators. Sometimes the students face each other in groups or face forwards towards the teacher depending on the task at hand. Would you imagine that workspace orientation is essential too? And how do you think workspaces should be structured?
- Confidently presenting is a challenge for most executives. Can you share any basic advice about presenting to a large audience?
- What attributes should a leader have? And what techniques can they use to develop these attributes?
Janelle McLaughlin's story
Leadership Advice
Learning English as foreign language is desirable for most non native English speakers. What is the best piece of advice that you could give someone trying to learn English?
I have been on the side of teaching English language learners, and I have been the person in another country trying to learn their language. I think the best advice is to immerse yourself in the language and culture as much as possible. Seek out native speakers who will be patient and helpful as you learn all of the nuances of a new language. And then be patient with yourself, as well. There aren't many skills more difficult than learning a new language!
From the diary of Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
- Where are you from originally? What are some of your favorite memories as a child?
- They say that first impressions last and are made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. What personal attributes convey a positive first impression to you?
- Can you tell me which teacher during your school years had the most profound effect on you and what qualities did you see in that teacher?
Professional Career
Leadership Advice
- What is your favorite book and can you explain what you like about it?
- What do you think about Executives Diary?
- It can be very hard to control students, especially focus their concentration on the work at hand. What is the best technique to maintain control?
- Writer's block is common problem for everyone. Do you have a technique that you can share with us to overcome this problem?
- Learning English as foreign language is desirable for most non native English speakers. What is the best piece of advice that you could give someone trying to learn English?
- It will be a boring monochrome world to live in if we're all the same. Luckily everyone on the planet has different talents and abilities. Which abilities do you think will be more in demand by the employers of the future? And why is that?
- Technology seems to impact every sphere of humanity. Classrooms have changed and now incorporate many different types of IT equipment. What do you think the classrooms of the future will look like and what new technologies can you imagine?
- Class orientation is often seen to be important by many educators. Sometimes the students face each other in groups or face forwards towards the teacher depending on the task at hand. Would you imagine that workspace orientation is essential too? And how do you think workspaces should be structured?
- Confidently presenting is a challenge for most executives. Can you share any basic advice about presenting to a large audience?
- What attributes should a leader have? And what techniques can they use to develop these attributes?
Janelle McLaughlin's story
Leadership Advice
It will be a boring monochrome world to live in if we're all the same. Luckily everyone on the planet has different talents and abilities. Which abilities do you think will be more in demand by the employers of the future? And why is that?
I think it goes back to the so-called "soft skills." Our future employees need to be strong critical thinkers and problem solvers. They need to not only know how to solve a problem, but how to identify the needs to even begin with. On top of that, they will need abilities to think creatively and innovatively. If we can help our students develop the skills sets to be strong and independent critical and creative thinkers, they will be assets to any career field.
From the diary of Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
- Where are you from originally? What are some of your favorite memories as a child?
- They say that first impressions last and are made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. What personal attributes convey a positive first impression to you?
- Can you tell me which teacher during your school years had the most profound effect on you and what qualities did you see in that teacher?
Professional Career
Leadership Advice
- What is your favorite book and can you explain what you like about it?
- What do you think about Executives Diary?
- It can be very hard to control students, especially focus their concentration on the work at hand. What is the best technique to maintain control?
- Writer's block is common problem for everyone. Do you have a technique that you can share with us to overcome this problem?
- Learning English as foreign language is desirable for most non native English speakers. What is the best piece of advice that you could give someone trying to learn English?
- It will be a boring monochrome world to live in if we're all the same. Luckily everyone on the planet has different talents and abilities. Which abilities do you think will be more in demand by the employers of the future? And why is that?
- Technology seems to impact every sphere of humanity. Classrooms have changed and now incorporate many different types of IT equipment. What do you think the classrooms of the future will look like and what new technologies can you imagine?
- Class orientation is often seen to be important by many educators. Sometimes the students face each other in groups or face forwards towards the teacher depending on the task at hand. Would you imagine that workspace orientation is essential too? And how do you think workspaces should be structured?
- Confidently presenting is a challenge for most executives. Can you share any basic advice about presenting to a large audience?
- What attributes should a leader have? And what techniques can they use to develop these attributes?
Janelle McLaughlin's story
Leadership Advice
Technology seems to impact every sphere of humanity. Classrooms have changed and now incorporate many different types of IT equipment. What do you think the classrooms of the future will look like and what new technologies can you imagine?
Well, I love the use of technology in the classroom. As you said, it's everywhere, and it's only going to increase. As educators, we have to provide our students with experiences and opportunities to work with and within technology to be prepared for the future. However, I think the emphasis should always be on teaching and learning practices. Technology is a resource — a tool. If our students don't know how to be self-driven learners, then all the technology advances in the world won't prepare them for their full potentials to be realized.
From the diary of Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
- Where are you from originally? What are some of your favorite memories as a child?
- They say that first impressions last and are made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. What personal attributes convey a positive first impression to you?
- Can you tell me which teacher during your school years had the most profound effect on you and what qualities did you see in that teacher?
Professional Career
Leadership Advice
- What is your favorite book and can you explain what you like about it?
- What do you think about Executives Diary?
- It can be very hard to control students, especially focus their concentration on the work at hand. What is the best technique to maintain control?
- Writer's block is common problem for everyone. Do you have a technique that you can share with us to overcome this problem?
- Learning English as foreign language is desirable for most non native English speakers. What is the best piece of advice that you could give someone trying to learn English?
- It will be a boring monochrome world to live in if we're all the same. Luckily everyone on the planet has different talents and abilities. Which abilities do you think will be more in demand by the employers of the future? And why is that?
- Technology seems to impact every sphere of humanity. Classrooms have changed and now incorporate many different types of IT equipment. What do you think the classrooms of the future will look like and what new technologies can you imagine?
- Class orientation is often seen to be important by many educators. Sometimes the students face each other in groups or face forwards towards the teacher depending on the task at hand. Would you imagine that workspace orientation is essential too? And how do you think workspaces should be structured?
- Confidently presenting is a challenge for most executives. Can you share any basic advice about presenting to a large audience?
- What attributes should a leader have? And what techniques can they use to develop these attributes?
Janelle McLaughlin's story
Leadership Advice
Class orientation is often seen to be important by many educators. Sometimes the students face each other in groups or face forwards towards the teacher depending on the task at hand. Would you imagine that workspace orientation is essential too? And how do you think workspaces should be structured?
There has been a lot of work being done in this area - how does learning space impact instruction? I think classrooms need to have a variety of workspaces to meet the needs of the learners and learning. Desks in rows, all facing forward, is from classes of the 1800s. They don't foster collaboration or communication, which are two skills that all students need to develop. I'm a fan of tables, open floor spaces, and desks that can be arranged into groups. Clean, uncluttered space also gives students a chance to focus on learning and not be overwhelmed by the stimulus around them.
From the diary of Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
- Where are you from originally? What are some of your favorite memories as a child?
- They say that first impressions last and are made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. What personal attributes convey a positive first impression to you?
- Can you tell me which teacher during your school years had the most profound effect on you and what qualities did you see in that teacher?
Professional Career
Leadership Advice
- What is your favorite book and can you explain what you like about it?
- What do you think about Executives Diary?
- It can be very hard to control students, especially focus their concentration on the work at hand. What is the best technique to maintain control?
- Writer's block is common problem for everyone. Do you have a technique that you can share with us to overcome this problem?
- Learning English as foreign language is desirable for most non native English speakers. What is the best piece of advice that you could give someone trying to learn English?
- It will be a boring monochrome world to live in if we're all the same. Luckily everyone on the planet has different talents and abilities. Which abilities do you think will be more in demand by the employers of the future? And why is that?
- Technology seems to impact every sphere of humanity. Classrooms have changed and now incorporate many different types of IT equipment. What do you think the classrooms of the future will look like and what new technologies can you imagine?
- Class orientation is often seen to be important by many educators. Sometimes the students face each other in groups or face forwards towards the teacher depending on the task at hand. Would you imagine that workspace orientation is essential too? And how do you think workspaces should be structured?
- Confidently presenting is a challenge for most executives. Can you share any basic advice about presenting to a large audience?
- What attributes should a leader have? And what techniques can they use to develop these attributes?
Janelle McLaughlin's story
Leadership Advice
Confidently presenting is a challenge for most executives. Can you share any basic advice about presenting to a large audience?
There are several keys to effective and engaging presentations. First, is to have clear learning outcomes. The second is to make it interactive. Get the participants involved in the learning and the doing. No one should be "sitting and getting" in 2019. The third to avoid death by powerpoint. Any visual aids should be mostly images (very little text!) and simply support what the presenter is sharing. The last key goes back to something I've mentioned previously - be relational. Make sure you genuinely connect with the people in the workshop so that you are focused on their needs and not on what you want to present.
From the diary of Janelle McLaughlin's story
Life and Experiences
- Where are you from originally? What are some of your favorite memories as a child?
- They say that first impressions last and are made in the first few seconds of meeting someone. What personal attributes convey a positive first impression to you?
- Can you tell me which teacher during your school years had the most profound effect on you and what qualities did you see in that teacher?
Professional Career
Leadership Advice
- What is your favorite book and can you explain what you like about it?
- What do you think about Executives Diary?
- It can be very hard to control students, especially focus their concentration on the work at hand. What is the best technique to maintain control?
- Writer's block is common problem for everyone. Do you have a technique that you can share with us to overcome this problem?
- Learning English as foreign language is desirable for most non native English speakers. What is the best piece of advice that you could give someone trying to learn English?
- It will be a boring monochrome world to live in if we're all the same. Luckily everyone on the planet has different talents and abilities. Which abilities do you think will be more in demand by the employers of the future? And why is that?
- Technology seems to impact every sphere of humanity. Classrooms have changed and now incorporate many different types of IT equipment. What do you think the classrooms of the future will look like and what new technologies can you imagine?
- Class orientation is often seen to be important by many educators. Sometimes the students face each other in groups or face forwards towards the teacher depending on the task at hand. Would you imagine that workspace orientation is essential too? And how do you think workspaces should be structured?
- Confidently presenting is a challenge for most executives. Can you share any basic advice about presenting to a large audience?
- What attributes should a leader have? And what techniques can they use to develop these attributes?
Janelle McLaughlin's story
Leadership Advice
What attributes should a leader have? And what techniques can they use to develop these attributes?
A servant's mindset is number one. Leadership is not about the leader, but about the people on their teams, and the vision of the organization. The number one technique to develop that mindset is to get to know the people you work with. Ask them questions, and actually listen to the responses. Build those relationships, ask for input, collaborate as a team, and build a stronger organization because of it. Second, is that all of the best leaders are lifelong learners. Seek out learning opportunities daily. We all have extra minutes in the day where we can listen to a podcast, read a brief article, connect with someone face-to-face or virtually. Find some way to add to your knowledge base every day to be a more effective leader.
