Many people get nervous about making presentations. Maybe your throat goes dry. Maybe your hands start to shake, or you have butterflies in your stomach. The heat is on!
Others may find the pressure motivating and love sharing their ideas with a group. Most of the time, I’m one of those people. My extensive teaching experience has helped me become accustomed to public speaking. And it’s a wonderful feeling when your presentation connects with your audience.
Features of a Good Presentation
But, however you feel about making presentations, know that there is one important fundamental for all of us. Good presentations aren’t only about appearing comfortable in front of your audience. They’re not only about having high-quality content. There’s something else you have to consider: It’s how to present your ideas without creating conflict. That’s because any audience to whom you present has the potential for conflict to arise, for the following reasons:
Stakeholders with differing interests and agendas
Individuals who need to collaborate as a team
Personality differences within a group
So, how do you present your ideas without causing conflict? First, you need to strategize.
How To Present Ideas
Think, reflect, plan: You may know your material inside out. But that’s only part of the preparation. You have to think carefully about whom you are presenting to. Reflect on potential conflict “hot buttons.” Plan how you might diffuse them. For example:
Listen, listen, listen: When other people ask questions or share their point of view, don’t jump in too quickly. Listen first. Then, summarize your understanding of what it is they have said. Consider using the neurolinguistic programming technique of “mirroring,” by repeating that person’s key message, using her/his own language. Avoid the “but” response, where you simply contradict what the other person has said. Build on what they are saying, rather than tearing it down.
Review, analyze, revise: Ideally, record any major presentation (easy to do on platforms like Zoom). Analyze what worked and what didn’t. Notice whether the words you used had an impact. Consider how your tone and body language worked or didn’t. Most importantly, use that information for your next (and even better!) presentation.
Schedule a 30 Minute Complimentary Meeting to meet Sandra via phone or video. Find out if you both are a good fit to work together. Come to the call with your questions and what business communications challenges you’d like to get help with.