When
you present, you provide examples, statistics and stories to support your
message. However, you have to be careful
about what sources you use for your information.
Gilda Bonanno's blog www.gildabonanno.blogspot.com
Just
because you read it on the internet doesn’t mean it’s true. And just because something is from a “study”
doesn’t mean that it’s accurate or based on solid principles. A survey of 30 people may not be a large
enough sample size to get statistically relevant results.
My
undergraduate and graduate degrees are in history and in those programs, I
learned the importance of citing sources, both primary and secondary, so you’re
not just making things up and relying on proof by assertion.
Earlier
this year, in a keynote speech I gave at a Project Management Institute
(SNEC-PMI) Conference, I focused on stepping out of your comfort zone to try
something different so you can be more successful and live your life with more
purpose.
I
quoted a study that asked CEOs to rank the top five leadership qualities needed
over the next five years – and the number one leadership quality was
Creativity. I mentioned to the audience
that the study was conducted by IBM, a reputable firm, and cited in PM Network Magazine, a leading industry
publication.
I
also made sure I knew more about it - it was a study of 1541 CEOS, conducted between
September 2009 and January 2010 – and I concluded that the source was reliable
enough for me to cite the study in my speech.
So
the next time you’re presenting information, make sure you’re clear where it
came from and what it really means. You
don’t have to become a statistician but you have the responsibility to ensure
that you are not misleading the audience.
If you’re going to use data, be ready to cite the source and do your due
diligence to make sure the source is valid.
To
view the excerpt from the speech where I mention the study, view my video: Success Inspiration Speaker: Avoid Career Burnout - Recommit
to Your Job or Quit Your Job (The video is 8 minutes, 21 seconds - I cite the study around minute 6)
Gilda Bonanno's blog www.gildabonanno.blogspot.com