Can’t remember the last time you got a raise? Or at least a raise that actually felt like a raise?

Not a surprise. For many, the days of the automatic yearly raise have pretty much dried up. Particularly for managers.

Now if you want a raise that will be meaningful, you’re going to have to ask for it.

Gulp! Bet that made your mouth go dry. Asking for a raise can be intimidating and nerve-racking.

But it shouldn’t be.

You’ve earned it. You deserve it. So just do it!

But to make the process easier on yourself and increase your odds of being successful, put this 11-step formula to work:

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What’s the one thing people fear most?

Public speaking!!!!

It takes the No. 1 spot on my list! I’ll do just about anything to get out of doing a presentation.

So why are so many people afraid of public speaking?

Basically it comes down to: There’s safety in numbers – and vulnerability in standing alone.

Makes sense to me. When giving a presentation, my face turns red, I start to sweat, my mouth dries out and my mind goes blank. Yeah, I would say I’m feeling vulnerable!

But the good news is there’s hope.

Following this 19-step guide can help conquer your public speaking fears:

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You probably became a manager because you were good at your job and good with people. Right?

But you probably never said, “I should become a manager because I’m a great writer.”

Unfortunately, writing is a part of just about any job, especially if you’re a manager. You have to write emails, memos, reports, reviews and so on.

And while you don’t have to be Mark Twain or J.K. Rowling, knowing how to write a complete sentence that makes sense is important in the business world.

Reason: Bad writing makes it look as if you lack intelligence!

And while you might get away with using the wrong word in a conversation because once it’s spoken it’s gone, that’s not the way it works with the written word. It’s there for everyone to pick apart – forever.

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Know what all great leaders have in common?

They’re great communicators.

Notice I didn’t say great talkers. Just because someone can talk a good game doesn’t mean he or she is a great communicator (even though everyone pictured above are or were masters of both).

Often it’s the opposite!

I know a ton of great talkers, but virtually none of them are great leaders – heck, most aren’t even mediocre leaders.

But listen, I won’t bore you with the typical characteristics or qualities (great listener, personable, passionate, clear and concise, attentive to nonverbal cues, etc.) that make great leaders great communicators.

Instead let’s look at the not-so-obvious characteristics and qualities that make a difference.

Great leaders are great communicators because they:

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Leaders, supervisors, managers, etc., have been doling out information via slide presentations for eons.

And the majority of these presentations have been bad.

I’m talking “pull your hair out” bad!

I was always under the impression you want your audience to pay attention to your presentation and absorb the knowledge you’re imparting, but I’ve seen so many slide presentation mistakes that I guess I was wrong!

So if you want to join the masses and make your audiences wish they were deaf and blind, here’s exactly what you need to do.

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