When you find yourself responsible for managing an important project but are unfamiliar with the “science” of making it happen, you’re an accidental project manager. The good news is that you can achieve success without being an expert on the subtleties of project management (PM)—you just need to have some basic tools and procedures, as well as the confidence to apply them properly.

Recording proper minutes is essential in the executive meeting or board meeting. Know how to listen, what's important, what to write, and what not to write during fast-paced executive-level discussions.

What you say is important. How you say it, and how you appear while saying it, make all the difference in the world. Why risk a ho-hum, or worse, a panicky, stumbling presentation that dilutes your message and makes you appear ill-prepared?