Secrets of Effective Presenters

I interviewed several presenters and speakers and asked them the $1,000,000 question: How do you prepare for a presentation? How do you stay cool? After all, public speaking has been identified as one of the top-3 fears of humans.

Canadian International Trainer, Michael Hartley-Robinson, offered additional thoughts for a formal presentation:

Preparation and Organisation: Focus on your goals and objectives. Socialise, if possible, beforehand. I walk about, and breathe deeply. Others may sit and focus/breathe. Be early and double-check everything.

Preparation and Organisation: Take your time, concentrate and making yourself heard and understood. Never try to speak a second language at the same speed as your first. Don’t worry about grammar in your speech (on your visual-aids – yes!). Instead, focus on being clear and understood. Of course, you can also practice your diction/enunciation, between presentations.

Never during! Remember, this is business, not a speech festival. It’s the benefits they are there for, not a speech/diction demonstration.

Be prepared, organised, and enthusiastic. Know and set your objectives, and tailor your content, and visual aids to achieve them. Learn about and use structure and audience psychology to assist you further. You must have excellent product knowledge, and know your audience. Practise your 6W/H in preparation: Who, What, When, Where, Why, Which and How. Then make sure that you give your audience WHAT they want/need. WHEN they want/need and HOW they want/need it. And, always follow up. Know your strengths and weaknesses.

OD Consultant, Douglas O’Loughlin shared another perspective:

How do you manage to stay calm before a business presentation?

“Me calm? You must be joking. I am breaking out in hives just thinking about it. Well, I have had a couple of things that have helped me: I have used the following mantra many times:

‘I am glad I'm here, I'm glad you're here. 

I know what I know and I care about you.

Let's learn and have some fun!’

(Usually best to say it a few times while waiting to start)”

As with the few busy speakers and trainers I interviewed, Douglas also uses prayers and statements like this:

"I am Receptive to today being a transformational session for everyone here, with lots of learning and insights."

After saying this I tap my breastbone a few times to stimulate the energy flow*.

What contributes to a/n successful/effective presentation?

“It feels to me that what's most important is to be passionate about the subject, knowledgeable in its nuances, and able to engage people at many levels. For me, it starts with passion for the topic and how useful it can be for people. When I know that the tools/concepts/skills can add to a person's quality of life, then my only challenge is designing the session in a way that people can really experience and assimilate the power of the tools/concepts/skills. With that in place the delivery sort of takes care of itself,” said Douglas.  

LEADERSHIP LESSONS: Different strokes for different folks - to each, his own. Find your own style. Suit your temperament if you are not the chest-thumping (Anthony Robbins) type*.

* This is an effective way of staying alert during long, laborious meetings. Gorillas work up into frenzy by thumping their chests. Remember King Kong?