Several weeks ago in my Communication Skills for Managers class at the Harvard School of Public Health, I was on a rant about the importance of enthusiasm when giving presentations. A physician leader in the back of the room asked, “Are you saying that a business presentation should be a performance?” My answer in a word was “Yes.” Now I know what you’re thinking, Campbell has really lost it. I’m a serious business person who deals in hard facts, evidence and an image of being under control. I have no interest in being a performer.

Let’s go for a minute to the people who make mega bucks speaking at conferences and sales meetings. What would they tell you about successful presentations? As someone who has read their books, watched their videos and attended their seminars for years, I believe I know what they would say. In summary, the advice would be more about technique and less about emotion.

Let me make a prediction, at some time in the next three months you are going to be asked to deliver a presentation that has the potential to influence your career in a big way or to label you as just another average presenter. I’m not suggesting for a minute that you do anything that will undercut your professionalism. When I say “performance,” it might mean being very serious when presenting to a group of senior executives. It might mean telling a story about a success with a client or patient when speaking at a fund raiser or it might include a fabulous picture found on the Internet as your initial slide at the national sales meeting.

I am more convinced than ever that for individuals to make a difference in presentations they will have to, get more comfortable in their skin, get out of their comfort zone and deliver presentations that are memorable, unique and in some cases award-winning.

I know you can do this, but as someone once said about watching Larry Bird play basketball, “I would much rather see a sermon than hear one.” To see what “performance” looks like go to You Tube and watch any of the following:

• Andy Andrews, Inspirational speaker and author, "Hernando Cortez and Burn the Boats"

• John Chambers, CEO of CISCO, "Telepresence Experience"

• Carly Fiorina, Former Hewlett-Packard CEO, "The Dynamics of Chang and Fear"

Look for ways to inject "performance" into your presentations. When that prediction I made earlier comes true and you deliver a great "performance" let me know about your success.

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"Your Most Critical Influence Skill" - Newsletter Archive

Related Speech:
"Leading Through Speaking"