Articles To help Project Leaders
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In the same evening this week, two presenters delivered their messages to the same audience. I had the privilege of being in the audience.
Presenter #1 had zero technology. No PowerPoint slides, no handouts. Just her amazing energy and enthusiasm with some brief notes that she referred to occassionaly. The audience was captivated by her message, engaging presentation and unbridled enthusiasm. I have been thinking about her message in the days since she told us about her work in "Positive Psychology", the benefits in the workplace and how we can apply it. I can't wait to see her speak again and would work with her if I get the chance, because she is living proof of her message.
Presenter #2 had the standard contemporary technology - text laden PowerPoint slides. The sequence of events was all too familiar. Slides go up, lights go down, audience takes the fast lane to snoozeville. She read her notes to us from the podium, while we looked at text laden slides that did not match her notes. The one brave soul who asked a question during the presentation was admonished with "Please hold your questions to the end of the presentation - I only have 45 minutes to get through this slide deck." Of course, her topic was "Team building, Leadership and Communication" - none of which she demonstrated to the audience, so why would I hire her?
Here are the lessons as a reminder for all presenters (including myself).
1. You can't experience your own presentation. You need to experience it from the audience's perspective in order to improve. Capturing your presentation on video helps (and then steeling yourself to watch it.) I have also found invaluable value (is that possible? if it is invaluable, then it has value?) from working with a GOOD speech coach. She tells me how it could be better, or where to slice out sections of a presentation that don't go down well. You need honest feedback from qualified and experienced audience members to help you.
2. The less technology, the better. Having written the book on PowerPoint usage (Dodging the Bullet Points), I won't belabor this point here.
3. You must live your message. Is it clear to your audience that you live your message? Or do they sense incongruency? I have never seen a top speaker or presenter that is not congruent between what they say and what they do.
4. Is your presentation competitive or breakthrough? We all have seen PowerPoint slides. We have all created them. We have all presented using PowerPoint. It is ho-hum, so-what technology, just like using a cell-phone and driving a car. Therefore, if you are trying to set the example as a leadership and commucation expert, then your PowerPoint presentation needs to set the example. If I can create better PowerPoint decks with my eyes closed than you can do on your best behaviour, then why would I hire you? (I only sit through your presentation because the exit is blocked.)
5. Who is your competition? In a multi-speaker event or conference, the audience compares you to the other presenters. Are you setting the standard, or lagging? You need honest feedback from an impartial observer on this, otherwise your impression may not be what the audience sees at all.
Some things, we can't do for ourselves. I am a DIY guy - I even make my own beer along to go along with my own biltong and boerewors. This trait has served me well in life and it is hard for me to rely on feedback and correction from others. When it comes to getting feedback on presentations, I have to solicit honest feedback from qualified and knowledgeable audience members. "Tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth." Otherwise, I have found through experience, that a great speech for me can be less than totally satisfying for my audience. We give presentations to serve the audience which requires that we get their perspective.
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