Is it Time For You to Present Like a Pro?
By far, my most popular offering aside from Executive Coaching right now is my Present Like a Pro workshop. This program has been designed for leaders and high potentials.
I have learned some great lessons throughout my career about presentations. I was the former speechwriter for the CEO of General Motors, then became a VP of Communications and Business Development responsible for making regular presentations to clients and Boards. I have been a spokesperson for a variety of global and national brands. And, I have been interviewed for more than 5000 media interviews since the time I was 23 years old. Now I am a keynote speaker.
What Makes my Present Like a Pro Workshop or One-on-one Coaching Unique?
I don’t use specific frameworks because, through my experience, one model doesn’t fit all. My programs and coaching are highly customized for each individual even within a group setting. This means that I have to be able to switch gears and call upon my experience and knowledge base to help each individual improve their presentation delivery by the end of our time together.
When people speak in front of a group of people, they are making themselves vulnerable. I hold this vulnerability with great respect while at the same time delivering feedback that is essential for people to hear to make shifts.
Participants of my workshop present a short speech at the beginning of our time together. Then we do all kinds of interactive lessons before they present again. The results are really astounding.
If you are wanting to improve your own presentation delivery or even your communications during meetings, what are important considerations to Presenting Like a Pro?
Limiting Beliefs- We all have limiting beliefs. Maybe it is a fear of failure. Fear of not being good enough. A fear of looking stupid or like a fool. Fear of not being liked. The list could go on and on. Trust me, everyone’s got fears. Those who are more practiced and self-aware are able to navigate these minefields better. But others who haven’t done the self-work, may not even be aware of their fears’ existence and how they are playing out in their presentations. My Executive Coaching background is invaluable to help me guide individuals through this process of discovering what is holding them back so they can feel empowered to speak in front of others with confidence.
Know Your Audience - Know who they are. What are they interested in learning from you? Then consider what messages you want to share with them. Are there gaps between what you want and what they want? If so, you need to figure out how to make the information you are sharing relevant to them. Put yourself in your clients’/colleagues’/Board’s shoes before you even sit down to write out your talk points.
What makes the audience care what you have to say? Now, deliver.
Energy - I think energy is the most important element of presenting. I teach people how to pick up on the energy of others while they are speaking. We also discuss how to best prepare your own energy to deliver a compelling talk.
Our energy is intangible and as such, is often overlooked during business meetings and talks. But, if you are aware of this factor and use it, this ups your game completely!
Voice - Your voice is another lever you can play around with to help make an impactful speech. Likely your voice isn’t something you pay much attention to and it just goes on autopilot mode. But, being aware of another one of the tools in your presentation tool kit and consciously deciding how you want to use it, can change everything about your delivery.
I love helping people try on different tones and matching it with their body language, especially if they think they are already decent presenters. It can make a major impact to try out new styles that normally you wouldn’t carve out the time for and then get instant feedback on. The subtle nuances really do count.
Body Language - I once read that our body language accounts for 55 percent of our communication with others. Perhaps. I wonder how our shift to conducting many meetings virtually (both on and off-camera) affects that number. Regardless of the percentage of impact, there is no denying that body language is important. Even if we are talking to someone we can’t see, our body language is likely reflecting the way we are talking.
I enjoy teaching these workshops and coaching as body language is a very personal style. It is really about me being flexible as a Presentation Coach to help people find the style that is authentic for them and relays the messages they want to convey.
Relaxation - For those of you who have followed my story for a while, you know I suffered a brain injury 10 years ago. I spent a lot of time in brain rehab in the years following my accident. Neurologists and therapists have taught me so much about how the brain works, how to help it relax and the importance of relaxing our minds to perform at our highest ability. I teach my clients mindfulness, energy management, and some tips and tricks to help make an immediate impact on their ability to present.
Content. Yes, content is important. This is where the executives I work with spend almost all of their time preparing in advance of coming to me. Their prep is all about what they say, and then they tend to be in their heads while they are delivering it to others.
After our sessions, my clients are more in-the-moment with their presentations. Yes, they are prepared and have good content. But, they are trusting themselves more while delivering and being self-aware of the other factors in a natural way. And when this happens, not only does it lead to better business outcomes, but it also ends up being a lot more fun.
Authenticity. In business, we often deliver presentations with the desire to close a deal or reach a desired goal. The presentation is a means to help get the dollars. Way too often I see leaders focus too much on this within themselves then their speeches and delivery style reflect that. The speech feels transactional.
Put your heart into it. Think about the bigger meaning behind your ask. How are you helping to serve others? Take yourself completely out of the equation. Think of yourself as an instrument put on this Earth to help make it a better place. The way you relate to your business colleagues, as well as friends, is all a part of something bigger than simply just reaching one particular target. Not only is this way of thinking more strategic, but it helps you connect to something so much bigger than yourself. It drives your passion. It takes the pressure off you. And, it helps you relate to everyone in the room as people not as the gatekeepers to the bucks!
Before I go on stage or even on a zoom call, I take a few moments to connect to that greater picture. When I prepare myself this way, versus just flipping through my notes, I am more present. I can get out of my head thinking about the content and be more focused on creating a connection with those I am with.
