Archive for the 'confidence' Category

Helping the presentation gods to reduce the dread

Published July 17, 2009 confidence , Planning , Presentations 1 Comment
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We really do ask a lot of  the presentation gods.

They really want to help sprinkle their magic, smooth out the rough edges, supply us with a great answer to a question or an unexpectedly hilarious yet apt anecdote…  and then we get it in their way.

I was coaching a friend the other night for a presentation she’s delivering today. Presenting some papers at some huge event with the whole of her industry attending.

You know, no pressure.

I found myself giving her this advice:

Remember: it’s never as bad as you fear, and rarely quite as excellent as you hope.

Continue reading ‘Helping the presentation gods to reduce the dread’

Why recommendations can take your next presentation up a level

Published April 3, 2009 Building curiosity , confidence , Establishing credibility , Presentations 1 Comment
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Want to know how to move your presentation to the next level? Answer: recommendations.

Developing Technical Presentation Superpowers - RealSmartNow.net

I spend my life speaking, writing, blogging, reading and thinking about presentations. If I could only give you one piece of advice about presentations, this would be it.

Make your whole presentation a sincere recommendation.

This first step in developing presentation superpowers helps you filter your knowledge, connect with who’s in front of you, and come across as relevant and interesting. Not bad for step one, eh?

To make this happen you:

  1. Think in detail about who you’re talking to
  2. Decide what action you’d sincerely like these people to be able and motivated to take when you’re finished
  3. Work out how to recommend that action

Continue reading ‘Why recommendations can take your next presentation up a level’

Confidence and competence – Kung Fu Panda meets Lydia from Fame

Published June 9, 2008 confidence , Presentations 2 Comments
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For those of you who’ve seen Kung Fu Panda, fun as it is, will know it follows the American trend towards ‘Just believe in yourself…’

Whilst there’s a lot to be said for confidence, I think there needs to be a place for confidence based on competence. It’s not enough to just feel good about your abilities, you gotta be good too.

So, don’t gloss over the fact that the training sequence (using Char Siew Bao as motivation for a food-loving Panda is genius) makes the secret of the scroll any use.

I don’t mean to be cynical – I loved the movie. Maybe I’m just more of a ‘Here’s where you start paying… in sweat’ kind of guy.

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