7 Thoughts About Presenting

​"The tone of presentation is set before the presentation begins." - Timothy Koegel, author of The Exceptional Presenter

Haven't ever presented at a conference?  Maybe not a regular public speaker? After teaching close to 70 graduate courses, providing hundreds of days of professional development, and delivering dozens of keynotes at national and international conferences, here are a few things I've learned along the way:

• The body will never betray the brain.  How well one is prepared, how well one is practiced, and how well the presenter's skill state is honed is almost always obvious by simply observing the body.  Find a mirror, practice often and speak as often as opportunities arise.
• Body language and tone of voice account for almost 93% of meaning leaving words with only about 7%.  This brings in the critical nature of posture, gestures and facial messages.  Do your body movements support the words, message and emotions you are trying to convey? When our body language doesn't agree with the tone of voice and the message you're trying to send, it creates mixed messages.  Successful presenters offer the full package to their audience so their message is communicated with passion and confidence as expressed by their voice, posture, demeanor and movements.
• I am podium and handheld microphone averse! Ask for a lapel microphone and move! Use your space and connect with your audience.  When I'm trying to make an important point I physically lean into the audience.  I hope it's becoming obvious that public speaking and presenting is a very kinesthetic endeavor - for you and your audience! Don't make them sit for your entire presentation! Read their "emotional state" and provide them with what they need. If your presentation is not movement-oriented have something prepared for people to stand and do - such as brain boosts (you're welcome Justin), conversation pieces or quick state changers.  You want joy, anticipation and attention, not yawns, boredom and time trackers (how much longer is this?)
• Don't die a slow death by power point.  I'm not anti-power point, I just don't use it very often.  If you do use it make sure your slides are visually appealing with very little text.  After all these years of power point I still watch people read slides.  This is the ultimate no-no.  Presenting is also about engagement and emotion.  If you read slides you are going to encourage the wrong emotions in your audience.
• Hands can do very strange things during presentation.  I've seen very smart people - even people who were good speakers - do weird things with their hands.  The most common is what Tim Koegel, author of The Exceptional Presenter, calls the "T-Rex" (think hands dangling from exceptionally short arms).  From this position speakers fold fingers, clasp hands, play with wedding bands and at times appear to be praying.  The best place for your hands when you are not gesturing is at your side. Hands should be out of pockets, not be behind your back, not on your hips or crossed.  You should either be gesturing with hands or have them remain, again, at your side.  Your hands hold such expressive power.  You can prioritize key points, enhance certain statements, make comparisons and generally support your message with gestures but don't let your hands betray your message. 
• Be sure to share eye contact around the room.  What you do with your eyes can convey passion, confidence, joy, excitement, or nervousness, being uncomfortable and dread.  If you have a very important point to make you might want to lock eyes with one person - it will hold the entire room - but not for very long.  When I think about eye contact I always think about Mr. Miyagi saying "Always eye!".  The more you share solid eye contact the more empathy you build for your message. 
• Avoid what Koegel refers to as "verbal graffiti." It is the bane of all people who have to speak publicly.  We've all done it.  Here are a few chosen examples: "um", "and uh", "you know", "you know what I mean?", "so (to start a sentence)", "okay (to end a sentence)?", "like", even using the word "and" to extend a sentence when a period should have appeared and a breathe taken.  Speaking is like music.  It has energy and pause, ebb and flow, crescendos and decrescendos, and space.  It's okay to not speak for a moment or two.  This is a real hiccup for many even in casual conversation.  Start noticing your own conversations and observe how many times you use "like", "and uh" or "okay?" Once you begin to notice, it will drive you crazy.  Watching most interviews on TV becomes painful.  The only way to avoid this trap is to listen for it and stop yourself from using verbal graffiti.  It takes practice.

Remember that "preparation is the cornerstone of comfort."  That's always been my motto.  I still get nervous but I've put in my 10,000 hours (close anyway) and for me, the bigger the audience the more fun!  It took a long time to get to that point.  You simply have to put in the time.  You have an important message to give or you would not have been selected to give this next presentation.  Make it the best it can be!

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