Beforeevery show, Stuart Smalley (a feel-good talk show host on Saturday Night Live played by Al Franken) looks into a mirror and famously tells himself, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!”
While this is an exaggeration for the effect of comedy, the concept of “psyching oneself up” for a public presentation is very germane to the acquisition of executive presentation skills.
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In developing executive presentation skills, it pays to think of your voice in much the same way you might consider a musical instrument. There are an almost infinite number of ways to combine volume, rhythm (pacing), and “color.” Just as great musicians play their respective instrument with a conscious effort to convey the composer’s message and intent, the best presenters use their voice to help clarify and reinforce the meaning of their message.
Let’s give some consideration to the ways in which one’s voice can be effectively used.
Volume
This may seem counter intuitive, but one’s most important points don’t necessarily need to be delivered with the greatest volume. Granted, we’ve all seen the classic “General Patton” approach, where every point is communicated at peak volume. But sometimes, a key point delivered at a lower volume can create a much higher impact, because the lower volume creates a contrast for the listener that requires him or her to pay even closer attention.
Pace
In an effort to sound upbeat and enthusiastic about one’s topic, many speakers default to a pace that is very fast. The thought being, “speed” conveys a sense of energy and excitement. That’s true to a degree. But a fast pace can make it difficult for an audience to fully absorb all the points of a presentation. President Obama has been lauded for his speaking skills. It’s worth noting that his pace is extremely deliberate and, by many standards, could be considered “slow.”
In providing executive presentation skills, my coaching encourages presenters to vary their pace. Long lists of items are best presented at a fairly brisk speed. The key strategic points are best delivered very deliberately.
Color
“Color” is the antithesis of “monotone.” A speaker who colors his or her remarks with a broad palette of tonality: sincerity, gravitas, irony, whimsy, casualness, formality, surprise, certainty … keeps the audience engaged and brings concepts and messages “to life.” Our executive presentation skills coaching focuses on how to create a happy pairing of the appropriate “color” to the specific “message” – so that a presentation becomes, ultimately, more vivid.
If this sounds like fun … well, it is. Executive presentation skills coaching doesn’t have to a chore. It’s a process of discovery and improvement. And that can be a heck of a lot of fun!
An important component of executive presentation skills is using effective body language.
In fact, more than just a component, some contend that body language can communicate even more powerfully and persuasively than the written or spoken text of a presentation. Here are three of the most important aspects of body language that can be utilized to effective advantage during a presentation.
An important lesson to remember when developing executive presentation skills.
But not every “slide” or “power point” frame is a picture, i.e. – an image that is “graphical.”
In fact, for the most part, most presenters create power point frames that tend to rely more heavily on text than on graphics. You know what I mean: the ubiquitous “bullet points.” In fact, in an effort to “visualize” a presentation, presenters often subject audiences to power point frames that seem to be crammed with, ironically enough, about a thousand words!
No, not that kind of stripping. This blog is still all about presentation skills, presentation development, and overall enhancement of communication.
But “stripping” … or, at least, “stripping away” … does play a role in all of this. Let me explain.
Talent can be taught.
Douglas Krager, a radio host, author and renowned public speaker, recently wrote a column on talent in which he channels the philosophy of author and journalist Geoff Colvin: Talent = Yearning + Input + Deliberate Practice.
And so, 2009 draws to a close … to which many are inclined to say, ‘good riddance!’
Nonetheless, the New Year beckons. Talk about “’tis the season” … this is certainly the season of anticipation, expectations, hopes … and looking forward.
Many business leaders will use this season to make an important presentation. For most of these presenters, their primary objective is to, at the very least, “inform” key constituents of the goals and expectations for the business in 2010. As such, clarity is key.
But ideally, these presentations will do more than merely “inform.” The more effective presenter will also “persuade” his or her audience that the stated goals for the coming year are achievable! As such, clarity in and of itself is insufficient. “Credibility” becomes essential.
Which begs the question: how to present with credibility? Well, even though the focus of such presentations is, appropriately, on the year ahead, presenters would be well-advised to remember the wisdom of a simple, brilliant insight: context is everything. Meaning, the presenter who frames the coming year’s goals by referencing the prior year’s results is sure to construct a more credible, and thus, compelling argument for the expected results in 2010.
As was written in the seminal business book, The Cluetrain Manifesto, “markets are conversations.” When those conversations take place in hard copy print or via broadcast and cable networks, they tend to be one-directional. When such conversations take place online, they’re likely to be more interactive. But some of the most important and influential conversations that drive business success still take place person-to-person. Just as good editorial, graphic, and web-based skills can elevate the caliber of conversation in those former venues, strong presentation skills are essential to making the most of interpersonal conversations. Read more…
In the words of comedian Eddie Izzard, “All that people care about is the look, because there’s figures on this. Seventy percent of what people react to is the look, you know, it’s how you look; and 20 percent is about how you sound; and only 10 percent is what you say.”
Ok, so maybe that’s a little exaggerated for humor’s sake. But the truth is, possessing great presentation skills is nothing to laugh at.
President Barack Obama is admired for his brilliant presentation skills. Similarly, Presidents John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton all demonstrated superior public speaking skills that were instrumental in both their being elected to the Presidency and governing effectively. Read more…