How To SHINE IN A CROWD

Q:I do not know what exactly my boss really means when he says that my presentation is boring and monotonous. He advises me to polish it up so that it will be more interesting to the dealers I have to present our products to twice a year. Although I can guess roughly what he is saying, I do not really know what he really means and what I need to do exactly. Can you help?

A:

It is less about improving your presentation script but more of your charisma that he is referring to. Usually, interesting presenters have it, and this is why they can hold the audience’s attention throughout. So when your boss says your presentation is boring and monotonous it means there is a lack of it, and this can be seen from a very disengaged audience who is not connected to you. This may be what your boss’s feedback really means.

Charisma for presenters entails improving a number of areas. First, work on your total persona which is basically your energy level which is needed to energise the crowd. Your voice, smile, movement, posture and gestures are in sync with one another and are done at a pace that brings out the energy in you to captivate the audience. Your personal becomes attractive to them when you are your natural self, yet prepared for any occasion.

Your words are not only simple, but they come from your heart (instead of your head). They are filled with emotions that go straight into the audience’s hearts as well. You no longer have to read out mechanically from a prepared script, which only disengages the audience from you. This is what I think your boss is trying to tell you in not so many words. You should by now know of other areas to improve to make your presentation more interesting to your dealers. You should have some more insights on what else to do.

POWERFUL QUESTIONS

• What is positive about what your boss wants you to do?

• What is it that he sees that you are not able to see it yourself?

• Honestly, is the audience excited about listening to you?

• What will be different the next time when you present?

YOUR FEEDBACK OR JUST YOUR VIEWS?

Q:

For various reasons, I have backed off many times from telling some colleagues how they should behave in public. One of my biggest fear is that it will hurt them. But something inside tells me that I have a duty to tell them as they are my good friends. The cordial relationship we are enjoying now is probably the other reason for not wanting to rock the boat. However, I notice their behaviour in public is getting from bad to worse. I want to step in to tell them. But I’m so afraid that a favour may turn into a disfavour. How can I prevent this from happening?

A:

When you have good intentions, there should not be any such fear, even if your feedback is not well received! This belief itself should make it a lot easier when giving them feedback. However, you also need to know there is a big difference between feedback and a mere expression of one’s viewpoint or preference. The audience can tell the difference quite easily as feedback is objective which is better received, while a viewpoint is subjective and therefore not as well received.

Ask yourself whether their behaviours are only offensive to you or to all. Once you can safely say it is feedback, then take these steps.

Firstly, find the right timing when both parties are emotionally ready. Good timing ensures that you are well prepared to share and the other party is ready to listen. A cool head is always better under such circumstances.

Next, is not to jump straight into telling them about the negative things, but share with them the good aspects of their behaviours first. You become more credible and fair when you do it this way.

Finally, always remember the receiving party has the right to agree or disagree, so listen empathically to their views and respect their disagreement should this happen. Feedback giving will be much easier from now on for you.

POWERFUL QUESTIONS

• Why do you think your people are not receptive to your ‘feedback’

• How do you tell yourself before you share your observations?

• How do you want to say it for greater acceptance?

• What will make it easy for you to accept feedback from others?