The magic formula for presentation success

I have been working with one of the world’s leading telecommunications companies for over 2 years now rolling out a series of 6 months programmes designed purposefully to up skill the entire management team and staff in the area of presenting with impact.

 The course involves 3 distinct phases;

Phase 1: Participants attend a 2 day work shop on presentation skills

Phase 2: There is a 1 day follow up every month for 4 months involving one to one coaching.

Phase 3: Continual access to myself and my colleague on an on-going monthly basis for any specific presentation they are working on

 This is one of the most comprehensive programmes I have been involved in as a trainer. There is substantial investment by the company and a real aspiration to change the presentation culture in this organisation. Everyone on this course presents as part of their job and has been handpicked by a manager to attend.

What is most interesting is the pattern that has emerged over the time I have been doing this work. Without exception participants from each programme fall into one of 3 categories;

1.        The never to be seen againers

2.       There in body

3.      The devoted

The never to be seen againers

They come to the initial course but they don’t prepare or overly engage. They never attend any of the follow ups. They have no desire to be better presenters and are not willing to put any further work into their presentation skills.

No desire + no commitment = no change

There in body

These participants do attend the 2 day course and most (but not all) of the follow ups. They do have a very real desire to be better presenters however they do not actually put in the work that is necessary. They turn up each month with the same development needs and despite being given the tools to up skill they don’t change their own behaviour. They do the same thing each month hoping for a better result.

Desire – commitment = no change

The Devoted

 These are the participants that see the results. They have the magic formula. They want to be better AND they put in the work to achieve it.  They take all feedback on board and they use all the tools consistently till they see the change they want.

Desire + Commitment = Presentation Success

So what is the magic formula?

You have to want to be a great presenter and you have to consistently do the right things over and over again till you reach a level of competence and confidence. It is as simple and as challenging as that.

Desire + Commitment = Presentation Success

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Use dancers instead of PowerPoint

John Bohannon is a writer, adventurer, and the Gonzo Scientist. He invented and runs the annual “Dance Your Ph.D.” contest.

Use dancers instead of PowerPoint – That’s science writer John Bohannon’s “modest proposal.” In this choreographed talk from TEDxBrussels he makes his case by example, aided by dancers from Black Label Movement.

Please find the link to his talk below. Do you think this would work in your boardroom?

http://www.ted.com/talks/john_bohannon_dance_vs_powerpoint_a_modest_proposal.html

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It’s time to congratulate yourself on every presentation step you take

I want you to imagine for a second how a baby learns to walk.

Many children begin by balancing on their bum, then pulling themselves up to stand at around eight months and take their first independent steps before a year.

At first children walk with their legs wide apart and take rapid short steps to help prevent them toppling. They twist their trunk with each step and hold their arms out in front to help with balance. They strike the ground with their whole foot.

In the second year they learn to stop, bend and twist without falling over. At around 18 months they start to run.

At around two, toddlers can walk faster with longer, slower steps. They can walk upstairs, holding onto the rail, two feet per step.

At about three they are striking the ground with their heel and lifting off from their toe. They are starting to swing their arms alternately.

Children do not develop “straight” legs until about seven years of age.

Despite it actually taking 7 years to reach full competence in terms of their walking, every single step a child takes is celebrated. When a child tries to walk across a room and only manages 2 steps before falling down this is not considered a failure but a huge success, even though the original goal of crossing the room was not reached.  A child is never criticised for falling down but highly praised for trying.

Imagine if you approached your presentations with this attitude. Imagine if every time you presented even if it wasn’t perfect you viewed it as a success. Imagine if you encouraged and applauded yourself the way you would a child if they fell down before they reached their goal.  Imagine if you celebrated and admired yourself and each presentation you did as a step towards victory rather than another failure or example of you not being or feeling good enough

Imagine if the  number one obstacle standing in the way of you being a confident and competent presenter is the way you are treating yourself as you learn this complex skill.

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