Basics of presentation skills.

1. Presentation Skills
Kevin R. Thomas
Manager, Training & Development
x3542
Kevin.R.Thomas@Williams.edu

2. Agenda
• Theory: Basics of Presenting
• Practice:
– Prep time
– Presentations w/ positive feedback
– Presentations w/ positive and constructive
feedback

3. BASICS OF PRESENTING
Theory

4. Basics of Presenting
• What makes presenting challenging
• Managing your nerves
• Knowing your audience
• Designing your presentation for impact
• How to prepare

5. What Makes Presenting Challenging?

6. What Makes Presenting Challenging?
• Mismanaged nerves
• Threat of exclusion from the group
• Fear of judgment
• Lack of training
• Lack of practice
• Lack of preparation
• You can manage all of these

7. Managing Your Nerves
• Your nervous system
will rev up
• Consider it energy that
can be used
• If you think “I’m
getting nervous”,
follow that thought
with “I’m getting
excited.”

8. Managing Your Nerves
• Self-care prior to your
presentation
– Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and
carbonated drinks
– Go to the bathroom
– Eat just enough so you won’t
be hungry
– Have a glass of water handy
• Breathing exercise
• Grounding exercise
• Practice “Power Posing”

9. Once You’re “On Stage”
• You’re there to serve
a purpose:
– No Apologies
– No reference to your
own nerves
– No questions seeking
reassurance

10. The Cycle of Perfectionism
Fear of
failure
Procrastination,
Poor Preparation, “De-skilling”
Self-
criticism
Anxiety and
depression
Loss of
confidence
Perfectionistic Demands

11. Worry Worksheet
• Planning realistically for
risks creates a sense of
safety.
• Complete the worry
worksheet.

12. Preparing
• Know your audience
• What action/s do you want them to take as a
result of your presentation?
• What are the key points they will need to be
persuaded of to take these actions?
• Organize your material with a focus on driving
home those points.

13. Rehearsing
• Internally
• In front of a mirror
• To your family
• To a single friendly colleague
• To a group of friendly colleagues
• Track time
• Get feedback

14. PRACTICE

15. Prepare A Strengths Story
• Audience: Anyone you might be networking
with.
• Intended impact: Audience will have a clear
sense of your strengths and actively look out
for opportunities in line with your career
goals.

16. Prepare A Strengths Story
• Set the scene
• Describe the challenge
• Describe the action you took
• Describe the result
• Sum up what strengths you used
• Describe what opportunities you are looking
for

17. More theory on lynda.com
• Lynda.com playlist

18. ROUND 1: APPRECIATION

19. Positive Feedback
• Appreciation guarantee
• Focus on what worked
• Be specific about what the speaker did and its
impact on you

20. ROUND 2: BALANCED FEEDBACK

21. ROUND 2: Balanced Feeback
• Include at least as many appreciative
comments as constructive feedback.
• With constructive feedback, briefly state the
specific behavior and its negative impact.
• Then describe future positive behavior and its
likely impact.

22. Thank You!
• Program evaluation link will be emailed to you
today.
Kevin R. Thomas
Manager, Training & Development
x3542
kevin.r.thomas@williams.edu