It seems that our brain is hard wired to make first impressions in an instant. This means that if you are presenting to a group, you have seconds to get them onside… emotionally. If you are successful, they will listen with an open mind and are open to persuasion, logically. You information will have impact. If they decide that you are not trustworthy or reliable, anything you say from this point is wasted. The door has shut. Any information is rejected. It’s a bit like writing off a speaker because you have heard something negative about their private lives. Their information, although potentially very valuable, is rejected.

I remember my father telling me not to buy a Japanese car because of his war time experiences.

So, take care when starting. Be polite. Express your gratitude. Be personal. Be humble. Be authentic. Start with a story that makes a point. Most people’s defences don’t work against a story. They will let you finish the story.

By the way, if you’re reading this by email, make sure you pop back to the new look site to have a look!

Regards

Paddy Spruce.

Sometimes the message is in the pause.

Pauses are meaningful.

If you think that the message is always in the words then the pause is meaningless and you could miss some important messages.

Imagine if you asked someone if they could help you with a project and they paused for ten seconds. If they were excited or enthusiastic about helping you there would be no pause.

I remember being asked in a shop if someone was looking after me. I was the only person in the shop besides the assistant. I paused. Another time I was depositing a small amount of money in my bank and was asked if I was interested in a housing loan. I paused.

If you listen carefully you may be able to paraphrase the pause. ‘Sounds like you have something else on…’. ‘Is that a NO?’

Try pausing yourself before making an important statement. Try pausing before making a commitment to make sure you mean what you are about to say.
Pauses are meaningful. Listen to them.

Isn’t it obvious that it is not possible to read from a powerpoint slide and listen to a speaker at the same time?

Isn’t it also obvious that a picture has more impact than the printed word.

I am still seeing presenters putting their script or thought joggers on powerpoint and pretending that it is for the audience’s benefit.

The power of the graphic or picture is in reinforcing what the presenter is saying. It is meant to make the point or message stick. One picture can remind people of a disaster. The word disaster won’t.

It is also important to use your own pictures. Take photos to reinforce your message. Use other means of memory jogging rather than putting your notes on the screen for all to see.

Metaphors are to narrative what pictures are to speaking. Your hand out notes can contain words alone.Your speaking will need support from stories, examples, gesture, music….and graphic pictures. A picture contains many more than a thousand words. Your creativity will show with your choice of compelling images.