The most important part of being a great communicator is your message. So shouldn’t that be where most of your energy goes when you’re planning to communicate? Whether it’s for a huge keynote or a senior staff meeting, spend the lion’s share of your prep time on your message. Make it better!
What’s your one big idea? What’s your theme? What’s your narrative arc? Have you distilled your message down to its simplest, most essential elements? Are you clear on what your audience needs and wants to hear? Will your message grab them? Filter. Distill. Test your message. Get feedback. The more time you invest, the stronger your message will get. And in the process, your conviction will grow too, which will make your presentation so much more powerful.
I’ve written about her before, and she bears mentioning again. Nancy Duarte’s HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations is essential reading. Her section on slides is pure gold. Read it.
Nancy’s also a great proponent of simplicity and focus. “If you don’t filter your presentation, the audience will have to – and people will resent you for making them work too hard . . . Cut mercilessly on their behalf.”
After your message is a distilled, perfect orb, the rest of the preparation is about you and your delivery. The best presenters know their content like it’s part of their DNA. They know it because they practiced it. Over and over again.
You can find time to practice. In front of the mirror while shaving or putting on makeup. On your commute – record yourself on your phone and listen while you’re trapped on the freeway. Present to your dog. He will be fascinated and attentive.
It’s a simple equation. More preparation and focus = much better results. You and your audiences are worth the effort!
Communication is the essential last mile in finding and motivating the right teams, acquiring strong allies, powerfully bonding with customers, and capturing mindshare with compelling stories. Nothing will serve you and your vision better than developing exceptional communication skills.
