Mattson on Communication: Why Do Many Presentations Bore me?

Mattson on Communication: Why Do Many Presentations Bore me?: Speaking to a group of people presents many complex communication challenges.   The following are a few: Extraverts overestimate th...

Why Do Many Presentations Bore me?

Speaking to a group of people presents many complex communication challenges.  The following are a few:

• Extraverts overestimate their abilities and tend to “wing it.”  They tend to equate a lack of nervousness with a superior ability to effectively communicate.  There is no correlation to such a notion.
• Introverts are not given enough time to think things through and come up with an organized talk that—in their eyes—is good for them and the audience; therefore, they operate from their least preferred personality style in a timid fashion.
• Shy people are too nervous and often focus only on themselves mostly concerned with how bad they might be doing or that people won’t approve them.
• Many other speakers bury their heads in the sand and forgo planning and hope for the best by talking on and on hoping they accidentally stumble across what the audience might want to hear.

How do you overcome being that guy/girl? 

 

Know your personality style and your audience, then prepare accordingly.  For example, if you are an extravert, be humble (understand that confidence doesn’t mean competence) and ask who will be in the meeting, how long will I talk, and what is your desired outcome of my talk? Then prepare with the audience in mind.  

 For Introverts, it is best to let your boss know ahead of time you are more comfortable and can do a better job if you have at least a day to prepare.  Ask the same questions an extravert would ask, then prepare accordingly.

Have a realistic evaluation of your personality style, skills, and abilities and prepare accordingly with the audience in mind.  If you do, you will never give a boring presentation.

Selling without Selling

Unless you are a salesperson, a spouse of one, or close friend or relative, you probably do not use the words prestige or respect when describing a sales professional.  Me, I find honor in all legal work.  However, according to a 2012 report in Scientific Marketing and Advertising, 17 of the 20 least respected occupations involve selling.  The authors of this report noted that “No occupation in the top 20 list involves selling.”  I would probably argue that even fireman, pharmacist, and Catholic Priest listed in the top 10 are selling safety, medicine, and religion, respectively.

However, the point is clear, most Americans do not respect salespeople; yet, most of us are selling something—product, services, or ideas.  I believe it is the term “selling” we find distasteful.  Our struggle with this internal conflict—I don’t respect salespeople, yet I am selling something—turns out to be a paradox that appears unsolvable.  So what do we do?

We can trick ourselves into using various euphemisms such as “providing a service people need,” or “helping people make good choices,” or “making life better for others,” etc.  However, this play with words and meanings isn’t needed and we don’t have to live this double life.

Sell without selling.  Simply, change your presentation into an informational talk and ask people to action with a clear cut benefit.  This is a soft sell approach I teach “reluctant” salespeople.  You need not master a polished sales pitch, or follow a step by step “sales process.”  All you have to do is educate, demonstrate, or inform your idea, book, art, service, etc. with clear concrete examples or stories.

Then (this is the important part), at the end of your presentation, simply ask for action with a clear benefit.  For example, “I suggest you pick up my book today (this is the action part), because if you do, you will improve your health because you will find exercising fun (this is the benefit part).”

In my experiences, many authors, artists, alternative health care providers, wedding service providers, and other “reluctant salespeople” have found outstanding successes beyond their wildest dreams by using this idea.

Lack of Fear does Not Equate to Effective Speaker

Earlier this week I was attending a civic meeting.  I recognized a woman who had brought us in to speak at her group’s meeting.  She asked how the public speaking consulting was going and without waiting for my answer volunteered, “Getting up in front of a group never bothered me.  I am not afraid of talking to groups like most people are.  I’ve always been good at presentations and speeches.”  She rambled on longer and I simply nodded and listened with interest.  What really interested me was the fact she is a terrible speaker.  I have seen her present a couple of times when she was president of her organization.  She rambles on with no apparent central idea or goal.  And worse, she takes a long time doing it.  I think we all could have walked out without her noticing it.  I am being extreme here; however, her story makes a good point: Just because you are not afraid to speak in front of groups doesn’t mean you are an effective speaker.

“You have to give a speech.”  Normally, people fill up with anxiety when they hear any form of these words.  Their knuckles tighten, their stomach becomes one big knot, and their knees begin to wobble.  But, what if you don't feel any of these things?  Does that mean you are a natural, and therefore above speech anxiety?  Base on the story above, clearly not.

I have found the opposite to be true.  It's that this false sense of security that can really knock you for a loop.  This is the kind of presentation that might turn out OK in spite of itself, but think of how fantastic it would be had the presenter paid attention to the details.

Mark Twain is noted for saying, "There are two types of speakers; 1) the nervous and 2) the liars."  That profound statement says quite a bit.  Twain was a respected orator and comedian;  however, he still placed value on preparation with a clear message and goal, practice, and performance.  He also knew that he was not above fear, because no one is.

The audience must be first and foremost in the speaker’s mind.  Make no mistake; they are not there to see you.  They are there to listen to their favorite radio station WII FM—what's in it for me?  Don't set yourself up for failure by believing your lack of fear means that you're a shoe-in.  My friend’s Dad used to say, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."  A similar road may also be paved with overconfidence.

A Good Introduction Reflects Your Attitude

Recently I gave a talk at an organizational function.  This workshop was in the works (preparation) for a couple of months and I was looking forward to it.

They chose the topic.  One of our “best practices” is to email both one week and one day in advance a prepared introduction of myself.  It’s structured, short and easy for even the most inexperienced introducer. It saves time for the person doing the introduction as s/he doesn’t have to write one or spend time practicing it; all one has to do is read it.

You might guess what happened.  First, she didn’t bring a copy of our introduction to the meeting and didn’t tell us as we had one (another “best practice” is to bring a hard copy of the introduction with us to cover for this exact scenario), second, she remained seated instead of standing in front of the group, and third, she introduced me as “Rob” mentioned that I graduated from a local high school, and said, “I guess he’s here to talk about something, public speaking, right?”

This was one of the worst introduction I have ever received (surprisingly, many are bad, that’s another reason I write them). 

Not only was the audience unprepared for me, in their eyes, I was unqualified and therefore, not especially a person of interest.  Since similar things happened in the past, I was prepared and delivered my own introduction so that they at least knew why I was there, my credentials, and the topic.

 

Not only is it absolutely critical to know the pronunciation of the speaker’s first and family name, it is best to get the name right!  People’s names are very important and if you can pronounce their names properly and accurately, you will gain the respect of the audience and the speaker.  How many times have you heard the person introducing a speaker by saying, “I am not sure of the pronunciation of his/her name, but here she/he is.”  How about seeing the one introducing the speaker look over to the speaker and asking how to pronounce his/her name?  It is an awkward scenario for the presenter when he/she is introduced incorrectly.

Does the importance of a good introduction make sense?  A proper introduction sets the tone for the whole presentation; the audience knows who you are, what your qualifications are, and why you are there.  It’s a perfect set up for both the audience and the presenter and helps the speaker with getting the attention of the audience. It also shows you and your organization’s commitment to professional excellence.

Remember, it’s a shared responsibility.  Introducers, please call the speaker as far in advance of the presentation as is possible so you can get all the information you need to give a nice respectful introduction.

Speakers, please do not make it difficult for the introducer. Give the person introducing you the information necessary to write an introduction, or provide one for them, so he/she can practice.

The main point is “practice” your introduction as much as you would for any speech. Practice on introductions, giving awards, or receiving awards is every bit as important as a keynote address.  It is not a hard task to master; but it does take know how, preparation, and above all, practice.

With just a few steps, you can avoid the awkward and uncomfortable “introduction” that I received.  Respect your speaker, make yourself look professional and prepared, and set the stage for an interesting and memorable presentation.

Don’t be that person. For a step by step guide on how to introduce a speaker, go to our website and order today, a speaker of any skill level will look like a professional.

www.MattsonCommunication.com 

Mattson on Communication: The Glass is too Big

Mattson on Communication: The Glass is too Big: Last week, after a presentation, a gentleman from the audience came up to me and said they had a “motivational speaker” last month.   ...

The Glass is too Big

Last week, after a presentation, a gentleman from the audience came up to me and said they had a “motivational speaker” last month. 

 

Immediately I cringed because it is a term used very loosely, but, I’ll address that notion later. 

He told me the speaker talked about a positive mental attitude and that she saw the glass as half full rather than half empty.  She proceeded to involve the audience and ask this gentleman how he saw the glass, half full or half empty.  He replied, “I agree with George Carlin, he says if there isn’t enough water to fill the glass, then the glass is too big.”

That brought a good laugh from all of us standing around chatting.  However, it was a good point.  I believe the underlying message of this guy and George Carlin is the notion that someone can determine if you are a positive or negative person base on your answer to one silly question is ridiculous.

I must admit, I have heard this many times by such speakers and I just roll my eyes.  However, I am aware that this is simply my viewpoint and if these things make someone feel better or more happy, I am all for them.  I just think happiness, positive mental attitude, success, and so on are way more complex than boiling it down to a glass half filled with water.

On being a motivational speaker, I was introduced to a large group of college students as a “motivational speaker” recently and as I was taking the stage, I flashed back to the “Glass is too big” comment that day.  It made me laugh and put me in a good mood to address this notion of motivational speaking as I approached the podium. 

It turned out to be a surprisingly good attention getter when I suggested that none of us can motivate another person.  We can only motivate ourselves.  On one hand though, we can get to know individuals and listen to find out what motivates them, then provide an environment to help each person reach his/her goals, but to actually motive someone comes from within, not from someone up on a stage.

If you are ever asked if you see the glass as half full or half empty, respond like that gentleman and George Carlin, “I think the glass is too big.”