Comments

Agree … but …

We are not all John Cleese so whatever training we do we have to make sure we don’t try to become ‘someone else.’ Non-authenticity from a presenter is as obvious as the nose on their face. Presentation training is good stuff but in SUPPORT of the real ‘you’ not INSTEAD of.

Posted by Trevor Gay at June 5, 2008 12:17 PM

Authenticity is a byproduct of passion. Genuine passion, of course. Which doesn't imply (or rule out) exuberance, simplicity, hyperbole or absurdity. Just passion - the root of magnetic authenticity.

It takes serious self-esteem to allow passion to direct your presentation. Not the new-agey, lavender-coated, love-yourself variety, but the healthy arrogance that gives you stamina to have faith in your own voice and its value (if to no one else, than at least to yourself). You can be consumed with stage-fright, terrified of the limelight, sweating through your soul and still pull it off if it comes from that level of self + passion.

Posted by Laurie Perez at June 5, 2008 5:57 PM

I've seen many memorable speeches delivered by less than superior speakers at TED. If you have the right cause, the audience will "get it" even if you aren't great. I've also seen too many "great" speakers who had nothing of value to say.

Posted by Joel Heffner at June 5, 2008 7:23 PM

What a great suggestion...I was fortunate to have worked for a person who was absolutely anal about developing these very skills as early and as often, as possible. Written, verbal, visuals, your attitude, your appearance and about a thousand items fell into this category. He was right and I can look back at the "resume" my professional life is and see exactly how on point he was. I do the same with the folks I lead. Team meetings are an excellent forum to let folks practice presentation and peer-peer coaching/training is terrific as well. Judging by many of their resumes...it's an effective career development strategy!

My current areas to improve...convey more thought in fewer words and lose about three tons! If I could figure out a non-surgical way to shrink my head about four sizes...that would be a player as well.

Posted by Dave Wheeler,,,F.O.T at June 5, 2008 8:32 PM

As a trained opera singer and later jazz singer, who learned roles and songs and performed them night after night, as if I were performing them for the first time, I have learned the following things about performance (presentation.)

1. Use the energy of the audience, which will be different each time. This will keep the material fresh and relevant, even though you've performed (presented) it many times.
2. Love the text and create lively subtext; the light in your eyes and the passion of your thoughts will come through. Research will also help here. Know your audience. I would even create background information when it was not given.
3. Find the right tempo based on the vibes from the audience; change the tempo and improvise when necessary.
4.Do not concentrate on technique (delivery) during the performance (presentation), only think about communicating, telling the story.

Posted by Judith Ellis at June 5, 2008 11:51 PM

Great rules, Judith.

As an actor and a stand-up comedian, I agree with all your points - especially the fourth. I'd add a fifth rule (actually, for me it's Number One):

Rule Number 1. If you don't BELIEVE in what you are saying, SHUT UP!

I think that one needs to be remembered more often in business presentations...

Adam
Work•Play•Experience

Posted by Adam Lawrence at June 6, 2008 9:01 PM

Adam...I agree completely about believing what you're saying or not speaking. Thank you. I'm usually quite passionate about all that I do and rarely do I speak unless my heart is in it, hopefully, my head too. I have learned over time to listen more carefully and understand my audience.(This requires empathy.)

Listening actually helps my delivery. It's all about the other who, in fact, helps me. When I don't listen to others, my ego is more engaged. (This never helps.) I learn so much more when I truly "listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story" (Desiderata). Most times I'm successful; sometimes I'm not.

Posted by Judith Ellis at June 7, 2008 3:12 PM