Presentation skills.
What is... something you either have or do not?
I've been struggling with this recently. About three weeks ago I had the opportunity to present a pilot of a short training course to some colleagues including a boss about three levels above me. I'm thinking a lot about presenting because this pilot was my first real opportunity to lead a class in my 2+ years in this job. And I'm not sure how I did.
Why am I so unsure of myself all of a sudden? I can present. I know I can. I can teach AND present, and I'm confident I understand the difference between the two. Having been through 7 or so years of school focusing on education and 7 or so years of having to stand and deliver in front of some of the toughest audiences imaginable (both students and teachers alike) gave me a great background in understanding audiences, massaging my message, altering my game plan on the fly... all the trademark skills of a worthy presenter. But I am clearly NOT ready for my current audience. And it makes me uncomfortable.
Key to presenting is having the confidence that you can get my audience to eat out of your hand. I've always acquainted quality presentations with storytelling, leading people down that path to understanding, anticipating feelings and reactions. The issue in my case is I don't feel I can do that anymore and that gives me pause. I believe the key to this is my new environment. When I was in the education arena I was confident that my knowledge and background in the material was sound and I was comfortable in my role as subject matter expert. Nowadays I'm surrounded by a much more critical audience and I'm dealing with new topics.
So what could have helped? And why didn't I do it to make things better? I think it comes down to another critical presentation skill ... the ability to play make-believe. In other words, the ability and willingness to practice in a non-live environment. Dry runs, dress rehearsals, whatever you want to call it, top presenters know their material backwards and forwards and that comes from practice.
So, why is it so hard for me to play make-believe? Most of us have practiced things all our lives. From early days of sports practice to music rehersals to learning to drive, then in our professional lives - for me it was writing lessons plans - is much the same thing in a preparatory sense. For some of us though, there remains a road block that we must find a way around that will allow practicing a presentation, in front of an empty room, to be a justifiable experience. I don't believe most people will ever be a Steve Jobs or Ken Robinson or Garr Reynolds but with time and practice, and the ability to pause reality, most people could climb the ladder to highly skilled presenter.
