Presentational Strategies for Leaders and Professionals

Do you communicate to express or impress others? How do you know if you are being effective in your communication?

Bait it then hook it. To sell, influence or captivate you will need to consider presentational tools that matter. You can include multi-sensory stimuli: see, hear, feel, smell and taste. A speech can be made more impactful by providing more than predictable slides – tell stories, sing, do verbal impressions, include activities, pass samples/prototypes around, burn incense, etc.

Have an acronym for recalling your process. Marketers use AIDA as a presentational tool. You can also use the 4’A’ of leadership influence: Attention, Attraction, Attainment and Attachment (Gary Yardley, Jan Kelly, et al). Each layer deepens the connection, and promotes contact with your product, service and yourself. KISS: Keep it simple and short.

Create a presentational hook; there is always an angle. Spin it in various ways; that is what spin-doctors do. Reframe your language. Tag-team with associates (not more than two others), and take turn to present. Be mindful to exercise restraint and discipline, align your thoughts and strategies, and be respectful and recognizing of each other.

Lead with your head.


Photo-credit: ZBComma newspaper (distributed to schools on Friday).