Search Results for: be the change

Number of Results: 216

Schrodinger’s slides

Schrodinger’s slides are both there and not there at the same time. Sadly, this analogy describes many presenters’ approach to their supportive media; It is either there or not there. The decision rests with the audience. Schrodinger’s slides are either there and we will read them (because of science) or they are not there as the speaker ignores them. In this thought experiment, the audience will stop listening and default to reading Schrodinger’s slides.

Kintsugi

the art of repairing broken pottery with gold - kintsugi

The way presentations are currently constructed, delivered and received is not the result of laziness on the part of presenter or audience. Presentations are built with effort, intention and time but with a concept that breaks the result. The Japanese art of kintsugi recognises the value of a piece of pottery and in its damage, it is repaired, often with gold. Presentations are broken but should not be thrown in the trash. They can be repaired with kintsugi and returned to intended function and experiences of real value.

To be or not to be

man delivering presentation at conference

Most of us have heard, even recited, the start of the soliloquy from Hamlet. “To be or not to be? That is the question.” Few of us would consider that recitation had any impact. Anyone can download and read the piece. It isn’t the same as being delivered by an actor, on stage, in costume and in the moment. A presentation is not simply a script, read out on a stage. The delivery of a presentation (p3) demands much more than that.

Juggling

millions of bouncing balls falling down the street in LA

Everyone can toss a ball up and catch it. Many people can do that with two balls. When there are three balls it is officially called juggling. Personally, I can juggle three balls with lots of patterns. The world record for “toss juggling” that is balls successfully in a pattern, caught twice, is 11. The average presentation is like the Sonia Bravia advert of bouncing balls falling down the streets of Los Angeles. Our brains weren’t built for this. Juggling is fine for three balls (or facts).

Thank you.

bored audience looking at the stage

“Thank you.” That phrase you’ve been aiming to deliver for weeks now. You have finished your talk. There is polite applause, you smile gratefully, and maybe even someone congratulates you. You return to your seat feeling a deep relief, even pride. It worked. The slides were great, the timing was perfect, and you hit every point. It felt good, clear, like you communicated.

You’re a better presenter

a man sweeping the tide with a broom

You’re a better presenter right now, simply because you are considering presentations more consciously. You’re a better presenter because you want to stop the presentation paradox. You’re a better presenter because you have visited this site, even if that is just with questions. You’re a better presenter because you want to see change in presentations.