5 fundamentals of fearless presentations
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The document outlines five key fundamentals for effective presentations: knowing your audience, doing homework, being organized, planning for success, and practicing diligently. Each fundamental emphasizes preparation and audience engagement techniques to enhance presentation skills. The material encourages individuals to actively develop their abilities to present confidently in professional settings.
5 fundamentals of fearless presentations
- 1. 5 FUNDAMENTALS OF FEARLESS PRESENTATIONS Polishing Your Presentation Skills
- 2. 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 www.tribehr.com 2
- 3. 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. www.tribehr.com 3
- 4. 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! www.tribehr.com 4
- 5. 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! www.tribehr.com 5
- 6. 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. www.tribehr.com 6
- 7. 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 www.tribehr.com 7
- 8. 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 www.tribehr.com 8
- 9. 3: BE ORGANIZED (EXCEPTIONAL OPENINGS) We’ve also seen arrival by parachute or a full-face pratfall work! www.tribehr.com 9
- 10. 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. www.tribehr.com 10
- 11. 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‖ www.tribehr.com 11
- 12. 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!) www.tribehr.com 12
- 13. 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 www.tribehr.com 13
- 14. 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! www.tribehr.com 14
- 15. 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 www.tribehr.com 15
- 16. 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). www.tribehr.com 16
- 17. 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. www.tribehr.com 17
- 18. 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) www.tribehr.com 18
- 19. AND YOU TOO WILL TRIUMPH! www.tribehr.com 19
- 20. 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. www.tribehr.com 20
- 21. 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 www.tribehr.com 21