5 FUNDAMENTALS OF FEARLESS PRESENTATIONS

Polishing Your Presentation Skills

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ANYONE CAN SPEAK WELL

You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart.

~John Ford

Feb. 1, 1894 – Aug. 31, 1973

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WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH MY JOB?

• At some point in your career, you’ll be asked to present information to your reports, peers, or someone higher up the management chain.

• Maybe as a regular occurrence or perhaps just the occasional “dreaded necessity”.

• Stepping up is your opportunity to shine and demonstrate value to the organization.

• The good news? It’s a skill you can master with a deep breath, a little effort, and some practice.

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SOME BASICS TO GET YOU STARTED

The 5 Fundamentals of Fearless Presentations

1. Know your audience.

2. Do your homework.

3. Be organized.

4. Plan for success.

5. Practice!

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1: KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

• Be clear about your purpose.• Analyze your audience.• Be aware of the occasion.• Be knowledgeable about and

comfortable with your topic.• You should know more than

your average audience member!

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2: DO YOUR HOMEWORK

• Check out the space, layout and equipment available to you in advance.

• Ensure your content is relevant, accurate, and current (do your research!).

• Focus the content of your presentation to:– prevent rambling,– stay on topic, and– aim your message toward a specific objective.

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3: BE ORGANIZED

• Plan what you want to say. At minimum, identify key speaking points in bullet form.

• Be conscious of your language. Use the words best suited to your audience. Avoid jargon, unless appropriate (i.e. a fit for your audience).

• Plan for…– a great opening– smooth transitions– a strong close

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3: BE ORGANIZED (OPENING)

Opening: Make the audience look up from their smart phones and listen. You might try:• asking a question• making a strong/controversial statement• sharing an anecdote or story• reading a powerful quote • presenting thought provoking statistics• using humor appropriate to the event

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3: BE ORGANIZED (EXCEPTIONAL OPENINGS)

We’ve also seen arrival by

parachute or a full-face

pratfall work!

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3: BE ORGANIZED (CLOSING)

Closing: Be memorable. The last thing you say will be remembered best, so give your closing the respect it deserves.• Restate the key message in a punchy, well-

written sentence or two.• Memorize your close. Even if you get a little off

track in the middle, you’ll have a solid finish. • If you use slides, tie your final message to a

powerful visual image for added impact.

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3: BE ORGANIZED (TRANSITIONING)

Transitioning: Transition smoothly from one idea to another. Leave no one lagging or hanging. • Use transition words like: Therefore, Thus, So• Use transition phrases and sentences like: – On the other hand…–Meanwhile, back at the ranch…– Now let’s consider this from a different viewpoint.

• Use a variety of transitions• Avoid “ahhh”, “ummm”, “like”, “and”

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4: PLAN FOR SUCCESS (TIMING)

• Know how much time you have and stick to it. – Note: typically, 4 planned minutes of speaking takes 5

minutes to deliver—longer with laughter.

• Be natural, don’t memorize (except your close!)

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4: PLAN FOR SUCCESS (CUE CARDS/NOTES)

Use cue cards to keep on track: • Number your cards just in case!• Print large so you can read without being obvious• Use a highlighter on words/points to be emphasized• If possible, avoid words

you find hard to pronounce

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4: PLAN FOR SUCCESS (SLIDES)

Use presentation slides like cue cards; include just enough information to keep you on message.• Add visuals (charts, photos, videos) for impact.• Minimize words, numbers and effects.• Use large fonts• Use a remote to advance slides• Download any video in advance to avoid

technology letdown!

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4: PLAN FOR SUCCESS (PRESENCE)

Consider viewing yourself on video before your presentation so you know how you come across.

• Watch for and work on:– posture and facial expressions– any awkward habits, gestures, movements– volume and pace of your speaking voice

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4: PLAN FOR SUCCESS (PRESENCE)

Have a powerful presence:• Use your voice and face for

emphasis.

• Incorporate planned gestures

and expressions that help

convey your message.

• Stand straight, feet grounded,

hands at your sides (when not deliberately gesturing). 

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4: PLAN FOR SUCCESS (EYE CONTACT)

Maintain good eye contact across your audience.• Share your eye contact generously• Avoid rapid, side-to-side scanning. • Lift your eyes from your notes, cue cards or

slides—they should be prompts only.• Be careful not to get “stuck” on one person in

the audience or one side of the room.

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5: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

• Familiarize, don’t memorize.• Play with words to decide on emphasis.– You did a great job!– You did a great job!

• Punctuate via your delivery (they can’t see it!)• Practice/refine as often as possible. – Ask friends, family, co-workers to be your audience.– Record yourself (voice or video)

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AND YOU TOO WILL TRIUMPH!

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TAP INTO AVAILABLE RESOURCES

If developing (or polishing) your presentation skills is a personal or professional goal, join a Toastmasters Club for some of the best training, evaluation and “stage time” available.

To learn more about communications, career development, and what’s new in social HR, subscribe to the TribeHR Blog today.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

Flikr/creative commons/servantofchaos

Flikr/creative commons/deiby

Flikr/creative commons/US National Guard

Flikr/creative commons/US National Archives

Flikr/creative commons/National Archief

Flikr/creative commons/Library of Congress

Flikr/creative commons/2012 Green Heart Schools public speaking competition; Brisbane City Council

and

Wikimedia Commons