Excellent content does not equal a successful presentation. Too often, we spend an abundance amount of time crafting what we want to say and a minimal amount of time on to how we are going to say it. 

 

Strong leaders realize if their communication skills lack finesse, their ideas will be lost in translation. Here are nine ways to help you present your ideas, content and plans in a way that holds your audience’s attention.

 

1. Create a Positive Mindset

 

Prepare yourself psychologically and with a strong structure and interesting content. Be early to the location and ensure the room is set as you need it. Give yourself positive scripts:

 

• I will give a good quality presentation.
• I can manage my nerves with breathing.
• I will be calm and enjoy this.
• I’ve got relevant anecdotes and examples to bring this to life.
• I’ve prepared a handout so I don’t need to overload with details.
• I will smile … because I will do a good job and soon it will be over!

 

2. Learn About the Audience

 

Find out what your audience already knows about the topic, what they are expecting from the presentation, and any particular concerns, problems or issues they want addressed. Use some quick questions and answers, or a show of hands. For example, ask “How many of you know …?” 

 

3. Give an Overview of the Presentation

 

Give the audience an idea of what you plan to cover as well as the key areas or the goal you hope to achieve. This gives them direction and keeps you on track.

 

4. Make it Interesting and Relevant

 

• Give examples, such as a case study, a diagram, a hypothetical, or an anecdote—people engage with stories.
• Use interesting visuals such as a short video clip, relevant photos, whiteboard notes, models or handouts.
• Surprise the group with the latest research, unusual applications, or best practice in another company or industry.
• Reference current world news and relate it to the topic.
• Show the links between the topic and the people in the audience. 

 

5. Involve the Audience and Stimulate Discussion

 

Audience attention and retention drops off after a few minutes of straight talking or lecturing with no involvement. Keep the audience involved and even energized by:

 

• Asking questions
• Inviting questions
• Doing activities—for example, brainstorming or using paired discussions and small groups
• Conducting a “write down” activity followed by sharing of ideas
• Trying a role play—in some situations you can ask for volunteers to try something out

 

When any sort of behavioral change is required, brainstorming ideas and writing them up on a screen or board can personalize this process by pushing individuals in the audience to actually identify what they will do differently.

 

6. Manage Questions and Answers Professionally

 

Set ground rules at the start. Explain when questions are to be asked (for example, at any time during your presentation, after each main section, or at the end of your presentation) and remember the following tips:

 

• When a question is asked, always repeat the question to ensure the entire group knows what question is being answered.
• You can ask them questions throughout if the setting is conducive to this practice.
• Show interest in their questions and their answers—make eye contact, face the person, nod your head, say ‘uh-huh’, use appropriate facial gestures like smiling, frowning, or looking surprised.
• Ask a question and then use silence to wait for the answer. Do not be afraid of a few seconds of silence. Do not rush to answer your own question or move onto another question.
• Do not react negatively (especially non-verbally) to any question. Show respect no matter how ‘silly’ the question appears to you.
• Before answering a question, you may need to restate the question to clarify and ensure everyone understands what is being asked—this can also give you time to develop your answer.
• Sometimes it may be appropriate not to give the answer yourself, but instead ‘throw it back’ to the group for discussion. This is particularly useful in the case where there is no simple answer or where the answer is something the audience would know. If, having thrown the question back to the audience, no answer emerges, make sure you supply the answer yourself.
• If you do not know the answer, do not guess. Your credibility generally increases when you admit you do not have the answer to a question. Ask the group or offer to find out and get back to the person later.

 

7. Control the Discussion

 

Managing group dynamics is often challenging. The degree of control you exercise will depend on the group, the topic, the amount of time available and the value of the discussion. “Any” discussion is not the goal, it should be relevant discussion that engages everyone.

 

Take control and be professional:

 

• If people talk over each other, or keep interrupting, politely ask one person to wait while another finishes his or her point.
• Wind up a discussion between two and throw the point open to others.
• Terminate one discussion topic, summarize and move on to another issue.
• Do not let one person dominate questioning. When asking for questions, look away from the dominating person, showing non-verbally you want to hear from others in the group. If necessary, say to the dominator, “Suzi, before I take your question, does anyone else want to raise any issues?”
• Control irrelevant or tangential comments and questions, especially if short of time. Respectfully offer to discuss the question with the person after the presentation is over. For example, say: “Marco, I’d rather not deal with this issue right now as we have fairly limited time. Maybe you and I could talk during the break. Is that okay?”

 

8. Read the Group

 

Look at the group’s body language. If someone is yawning, looking glazed or distracted, they may have switched off. A good presenter looks for visual cues from the audience to evaluate engagement. Is the group bored or confused? Are they restless or enthralled?

 

If they are bored, do not ignore it! Change gears! Throw in a question or divert to an activity. If they appear confused, clarify and ensure understanding.

 

If someone tells you the presentation is too theoretical, or too boring, or too complex or simple, check with the full group and negotiate some changes. Your audience will appreciate your flexibility.

 

9. Deliver an Action Ending

 

A powerful closer is very motivating. Ask the audience to commit to an action, make a decision, or change the way things are done. Ask, “How will you use this technique in your HOSA chapter?”, or “How can we implement these changes?”

 

If actions have emerged during the presentation, summarize them and ensure a written version is circulated.

 

Always seek feedback and encourage honest criticism from attendees.