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Presentations: What's at stake?
Most people today work on the margins of overwhelm. We all have too much to do and too much to think about. We’re not only concerned about getting our must-do tasks done, but most of us would occasionally like to attend to our like-to-do tasks also. Even the smartest of us are forced to parcel our attention out like a miser handing out dimes. So, when we walk into a room to discover yet again another PowerPoint presentation, many of us cringe.
We’re afraid that the information about to be presented might actually be important. We might have use for it, and may be expected to understand and remember what’s being presented. We’re afraid because there is almost always too much coming at us too fast. If the presenter hasn’t prioritized, organized, and sacrificed, our sense-making filters are likely to overheat. We’re afraid we may not be up to figuring it out. 
Some of us feel like veal calves about to be force-fed. Though we haven’t even met the presenter or seen the first slide yet, we’re already wishing we were someplace else – anyplace else! Ineffective presentations make their presenters look not only ineffective, but irrelevant.
Making a presentation can really add value to your personal and professional brand, but it can just as easily destroy value. Frankly, if you’re not going to prepare well, you’re better off letting somebody else make the presentation.
In my experience, just about any presenter these days starts the race at least 20 feet behind the starting line. Most people expect presentations to be mediocre. Believe it or not, this is good news. When superb execution confronts low expectations, a “wow� is more likely to occur.
If your presentation is clear, entertaining, relevant, and useful, then so are you. By making your presentation stand out, you stand out. Your stock goes up and so do your future prospects. It’s sad, but there are very few effective presentations being made these days, so when one comes along, whoever created it strengthens their personal and professional brand.
You just might be thinking that this is a stretch. Why would making an effective presentation accomplish so much? Especially for an emerging leader?
Consider your audience. People to whom presentations are made usually have something at stake. They may wish to learn something. Often those in the audience are decision-makers. Those who aren’t making decisions are often giving input. The bottom line is that everyone in the room has shown up for a reason. Some have had no choice. So, if you are effective – and by effective I mean that you create value for your audience – you become a trusted source. Every person in the room becomes a potential buzz-creator for both you and your presentation.
If, in fact, decision-makers are in attendance, these people-with-power can also advance your fortunes. Being handed a public forum is a privilege, but it's also a responsibility. Meetings cost a bundle so time that's wasted is money that's wasted. Good leaders don't tolerate waste. That applies to you, too.
If you show up as someone with talent, someone with discipline, someone who can move the organizational agenda forward, you'll be tapped for leadership. it's just a matter of time. In the meanwhile, you'll have positioned yourself as an expert on the subject matter you present. Experts are valuable, both inside and outside your organization.
Presenting well, ultimately, is all about creating value. It's all about respect, too. People celebrate other people who show them respect, especially when it comes to advancing knowledge and understanding.
Next: Planning an Effective Presentation
Posted on June 8, 2006 07:30 AM | Permalink
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