“This bozo is reading his slides”

What’s the worst thing you can do in a presentation? Read your slides.

Guy Kawasaki is hilarious on this topic. This is what he says your audience is thinking, “This bozo is reading his slides. I can read silently to myself faster than this bozo can read them to me. I will just read ahead.” And just like that, you’ve lost the room.

When you read your slides (Any of them. Really.) you send one or both of these messages:

• “I don’t know my content.” This either shows people you’re so arrogant you didn’t think you needed to prepare, or it shows them you’re not in command of your content, which is even worse.
• “I’m totally awkward.” Your lack of confidence and poise makes your audience wonder if you’ll ever be able to win over customers and bankers.

This is not the look you’re going for . . .

As a great communicator you assume the people in the room can read. You know your job is the stories, the color commentary and the context around what’s on the slide.

Guy Kawasaki again: “Most high tech speakers have two salient qualities. First, they suck as speakers. And the second quality is that they go on too long. That’s a really ironic and dangerous combination – like being stupid and arrogant.”

You can become a great presenter. Yes, it takes time and effort, and it’s scary. But it’s one of the best ROI activities you’ll ever undertake as a leader.

 

Your business must scale, and you must scale with it. You need to hire a great team, forge strong customer relationships and lead your market with a powerful point of view. You can do none of these things without exceptional communication skills. Click here to receive pragmatic communications advice in your inbox every month.