Tips to Improve Your Presentation Skills
I’ve recently completed a 2 day Presentation and Persuasion Skills training in Malaysia before I left for Hong Kong for another one.
While I was on the plane, I looked through the evaluation forms that were filled out after the course. The ratings were generally excellent but there’s this one comment that caught my attention. It says, why should we copy other’s style of presenting? Let individual participant develop their personal presentation style that they are comfortable with.
That comment isn’t the first that I received. I didn’t have some other people who also have the same query and I find it really amazing. Well, it’s a pity that these people couldn’t see the value behind it. But having said that I cannot blame those who don’t know what they don’t know. As educators, our job is to clarify the unclear and reveal the unknown.
Well- the story goes back to my very hands-on and practical workshop. During my intensive workshops, I often picked some of the best people in the world and get the participants to ‘emulate’ what they have done.
During the process, it’s not easy because it involves a lot of analysis, thinking, practicing and script memorising within a short time. (And if English is a challenge, it will increase the level of challenge to you! No wonder so much resistance!)
So here come the TROUBLE! This is where we have some resistance to change. Here’re those people who would question why we have this ‘breakthrough’ session.
- Those who wants to be ‘better speakers’ but insist on their own old ways
- Those are not ready to work hard to be the best and fail to see the value
- Those who are yet to discover what’s being the ‘best presenter’ means and feels
- Those who think they should create their own style of presenting ‘comfortable’ to themselves (if you so have your own style that stands out-you should be casting for Hollywood!)
OK, here’s my explanation! The principle behind this session is Model the Best.
anthony robbins itrainingexpert.com
If you want to get rich, do you ask those who’ve succeeded in amazing a handsome sum of money or would you ask the pauper by the five foot way the secrets to being richer?
The answer is obvious. Of course you’re asked those who have made it. Because they’ve proven to you that they succeeded by following a certain path, you ask them how to trail that path to wealth right? I know what you’re thinking. O, those rich people must have beg, cheat or stolen the money from someone else and that’s why they are rich today. So I don’t want to follow their way. I want to follow my own way. I will work very hard building castles in the air!
Well, guys if you insist on thinking this way, you seriously need to rewire your thinking. The rich do not steal. The rich just simply know what to do best to get there; they seek advice from those who have made it. They copy, emulate and model the ones who have successfully earn their keep. While the poor, keep on doing what they do best ; develop a comfort zone that they are comfortable with and remain there!
COPY, MODEL, EMULATE are the keywords!
She has good behaviour.
He has good attitude.
Copy her! Model him!
Isn’t this an principle easy enough to be understood?
So, back to being a Winning Presenter, iIf you want to be a great presenter and still finds it a struggle that you’re not as ‘interesting’ or ‘power-packed’ as desired, the best way is to emulate those who’ve done is successfully. In other words, model the best. What exactly is the best? Not just the best within the organization. It should be the best in the world. The best in your industry; the most respected and popularly accepted. In short : Model the Best in the world.
So who are the best presenters by far?
Here are a few examples:
Anthony Robbins – Personal Breakthrough
Steve Jobs – Multimedia
Oprah Winfrey – Motivation and Life
Les Brown – Never Give Up
T Harv Eker – Business and Money Blueprint
Blair Singer- Sales Dogs and Rich Dad Advisor
Nick Vujicic – Being Strong
Barrack Obama – US President
and so many more….
SO WHY ARE THEY THE BEST?
Because they PRACTISE enough to be the best!
Because they are coached to be the best!
Because they work on their strengths and improve their weakness to be the best!
Because they’ve the PASSION & COMMITMENT in what they’re talking about
Because they touch the hearts of those who heard them
ARE YOU TOUCHED?
If you want leave an impact and impression on others, make sure you are the first to be impressed by yourself. While you’re researching your presentation, are your touched by what you have to say?
Are you passionate and are you touched?
So, don’t tell me you want to develop your ‘personal’ presentation style – because you have none! And that’s why your presentation is dull, uninteresting and snore inviting. Just follow instructions for one and swallow your ego!
For now learn from the best, learn how they simply use their gestures, voice inflection, facial expression, audience grabbing techniques, postures, appearance and presence.
Until you can model the best and be the BEST yourself, can you think of having your own Personal Style.
If you are not, then don’t expect miracles to happen whereby you would have a standing ovation from the audience.
Also, don’t tell me you’re confused after the course?
I won’t know why you’re confused.
It is your responsibility to ASK and CLARIFY!
As the principle goes, Seek and you will find, ask and you will be given.
by Sue Boey