Stop Doing These Three Things When You Deliver a Presentation
Peter Drucker once said, "We spend a lot of time teaching leaders what to do. We don't spend enough time teaching leaders what to stop. Half the leaders I have met don't need to learn what to do. They need to learn what to stop." And the same goes for presentation skills.
The simple act of not doing certain things during a presentation can prove to be as valuable as implementing new habits and skills.
It's also easier to stop doing something than it is to learn and implement a new habit or skill.
At Vautier Communications, we coach our clients on both. We teach and coach new skills, and we evaluate and coach existing habits and skills.
So, what are those three things you should stop doing?
(1) Stop talking so fast.
I know what you're thinking...
"But Jenny, I have a lot to get through and not enough time."
"But Jenny, I'm excited and I want them to feel my passion."
"But Jenny, I'm nervous and just want to get it over with."
"But Jenny, that's just how I talk."
Yes, I get it. I've been there.
There's just one problem with these thoughts: they revolve around you — not your audience.
If I asked you: "What's the best possible outcome for your presentation?" You'd say something along the lines of, "That my audience understands and/or acts on my message." (Good answer)
If this is true, then you need to speak in a way that makes it easy for your audience to receive and reflect on your information. You need to be a good host. A good host doesn't force-feed.
I want to make one thing clear: "Stop talking so fast" doesn't mean "start talking slow."
What I want you to do is pause in silence every once in a while.
Think about it like you're driving down a residential street.
On residential streets, your speed is managed by stop signs between each block. When you're speaking, imagine that each thought equals one residential block. At the end of each block, you need to stop talking and pause in silence at the stop sign. After that pause, you share your next thought.
What's going on during these pauses in silence? Not what you think.
Your audience isn't feeling uncomfortable or thinking you forgot what to say. Instead, they're using that silent physical space to receive and reflect on what you just said. They're connecting with the meaning of your message, thinking about what it has to do with them, and moving it into memory.
These are things you want your audience to do. So, stop talking so fast.
(2) Stop letting your volume trail off as you near the end of a thought.
The volume you speak at is important. Not only does it allow your audience to hear you, it also tells them how confident and committed you are to your message.
Someone who speaks softly is often perceived as nervous, unsure of themselves, or worse, unsure of their message. Whether or not those things are true doesn't matter. What matters is how it's perceived.
What's worse than not projecting your voice?
Projecting your voice initially, then letting it trail off as you near the end of a thought.
From your audience's perspective, it appears that — in the middle of your thought — you changed your mind. All of a sudden, you realized you didn't like what you were saying, started questioning the truth or logic of your message, or started sharing more detail than you planned to share.
Regardless of the reason, it's perceived negatively by your audience.
They think, "Hmmm... that was weird. Did Jenny not want me to hear what she was saying? Why did she mumble that last piece?" — enter skepticism.
The lesson? Project your voice through your entire message.
(3) Stop saying "Thank you. Do you have any questions?" at the end of your presentation.
It's overplayed. It's weak. You can do better.
Try one of these instead:
"Now, I want to hear from you. What did you find most interesting about this proposal?"
"I'm curious. What challenges might you face when implementing this new strategy?"
"I'd like to hear from two or three of you. How do you plan to integrate what we just discussed into your day-to-day work?"
"I'm anticipating questions on X (name specific section of your presentation). What can I clarify or provide more detail on?"
"While you consider what questions you'd like to ask, let me share with you one question I often get when I speak on this topic." (Share question and answer)
In closing
Learning and implementing new habits and skills isn't the only way to improve. You can also stop doing things that undermine your effectiveness and credibility.
If you liked what you read and are interested in learning and receiving coaching on your own skills, consider our Executive Communication Skills program.