Harvard Business Review’s Post

I’m not claiming particular expertise here, but I think people often assume that those who they see as good at presenting are just naturally gifted, but, like any skill, it’s a learnt behaviour that needs training and practice. Preparation is vital.

I agree that it is important to know the material of your presentation incredibly well, however I disagree with the rehearsal recommendation. Over-rehearsal often leads to a flat presentation delivery, resulting in a canned/processed feel for the audience. In my opinion, it is better to 1) know your material 100%, 2) know your presentation outline or talking points, 3) courageously accept the challenge of making your presentation a fresh experience for your audience. Embracing this manner of delivery not only shows your expertise, it also engages your audience & conveys respect for them - you allow the same presentation to be in the moment, slightly different & catered to that group.

A timely topic; was talking about this just the other day. Those who care about and know their subject generally do much better than those who don't. It's not just about memorizing and rehearsing, what you're communicating has to successfully persuade the audience. If they believe you, then you were successful. So, you have to inflect, pause, and emphasize at the right times in your presentation. What I find disappointing is seeing folks for only a few minutes presenting but their head is stuck in their notes or reading the PowerPoint slides from the screen. To the extent possible, it should come off conversational. In order for that to happen, you need to know your stuff.

You’ve got to treat public speaking like you’re doing stand-up comedy. Yeah, you heard me right. Stand-up comedy. Stay with me. Stand-up comics don’t just stroll onto the stage and hope for the best. They know their material inside out, but they also leave room for spontaneity. If something goes wrong – and it will – laugh it off and keep going. People love that. In comedy, you’ve got to read the room. If the audience isn’t feeling your jokes, you switch it up. If people look like they’re about to doze off, change your tone, throw in a joke, ask a question. Keep them on their toes. Make it a conversation, not a lecture. Comedians share personal stories, they make fun of themselves. Share your own experiences, your own failures, your own quirks. People connect with people, not with perfect presenters. Public speaking is all about timing too. Know when to make your key points, when to take a breath, and when to let the audience absorb what you’re saying. Don’t rush it, but don’t drag it out either. Treat public speaking like you’re prepping for a stand-up gig. Do that, and you’ll have them eating out of the palm of your hand. Or at least, they won’t be falling asleep. And that’s a win in my book.

In professional presentations, the saying "failing to prepare is preparing to fail" is very important. Like the author, I have developed my ability to speak off the cuff by participating in Toastmasters' table topics. I understand that not everyone has the opportunity to prepare scripts and rehearse as I do with 4-5 presentations a week. However, I agree that lack of preparation can lead to anxiety and undermine confidence, resulting in potential memory lapses. Therefore, thorough preparation and rehearsing of the opening segments of the presentations are crucial. After that, we can rely on our ability for spontaneous speech to guide the rest of the presentation.

Great article! At Sustainable Times, I ensure all our staff, whether in sales, leadership, or the entrepreneurs we work with and invest in, understand the importance of truly knowing their pitch. It’s about more than just memorising—it’s about delivering with confidence and conviction, and being able to adapt to your audience.

“Craft the words you want to say and how you plan to say them” how pertinent- preparing for a presentation gives you a runner’s high, it is like making the perfect broth - words, gestures, modulations, content and eye contact. Once you have the ingredients ready, begin prepping and tasting, voila you’ll have the perfect recipe for a kickass presentation

Someone recently asked how a presentation went and to my "great!", they followed up with asking why it went so well. My answer "the 10,000 hours approach paid off." Now, I have better vocabulary for it: knowing it cold. Thanks! And so nice to see some of the approaches I've been taking for years, summed up in a concise and clear action plan. Makes me more confident that I'm doing the right things!

True, fully understanding your presentation is crucial. It's not just about knowing the lines; it's about grasping the content deeply to convey it effectively. This ensures authenticity and engagement.

A quote I was introduced to many years ago has always resonated with me when preparing to face my Known and unknown audience.I remember it well " Fail to prepare prepare to fail" Something always guarenteed everytime throws you a curve ball when your out there.At least you have a better chance of survival if you are prepared to the best of your ability to change direction if needed.Thankyou gratefully to my mentor!