Authentic Presentations

As the expert you’ll need to bring a well- balanced perspective. Acknowledge the concerns that may be in the minds of the audience. An overly optimistic one-way approach can be met with hesitation. People will be reassured when they know you’ve considered more than one angle. This style of addressing concerns while staying strongly grounded in your recommendation adds to the atmosphere of trust.

When you bring authenticity, congruency, clarity and multidimensional thinking into your presentation you set the stage for the highest level of trust.

The next element in engaging your audience is allowing people to know you. Stay with me. I’m not asking you to go overboard in the touchy feely arena! As audience members most of us can remember what it’s like to listen to speakers who say way too much about themselves and their personal lives.

But how well do you really feel you know someone who is just rattling off facts and figures? Their intelligence level may be very high but remember, “People do business with people they know, like and trust,” Sharing something about who you are and how you relate to them will draw them into your presentation.

Recently, I heard a CEO share a camping experience and how it related to what he learned about business. He became a fellow human being rather than the person who dictated the company’s mission statement. It was much easier for his audience to relate to him. Dare to share one of your own stories and how it relates to your subject matter. Then watch your audience open up and work with you rather than against you.

OK, we’ve talked about building trust and allowing people to know you. Now how do you get them to like you? Many presenters are overly concerned with receiving acceptance and approval from the audience. In striving too hard to be liked just the opposite can happen.

Distracting habits can creep into the best-dressed executive’s presentation without them even knowing it. Anything that takes away from your natural presence such as a forced smile, jingling change in the pocket or any of the other habits must be addressed.

Increase your like ability by being yourself. The more relaxed you are the more they can relax. But keep in mind ... you want to be your best self, not a self that goes on automatic with habits of the past.

A good presentation can win people’s trust and motivate them to act. One hour in front of a group can be the difference between people working with you or against you. Subtle changes in your presenting style are well worth the time and attention. Your speaking speaks for itself.