Just
watching TED videos, if one could have been made a hell of an impactful presenter!,
then we would have long left the data point that “Speaking in Public is the No. 1
Fear”.
And probably
it would have been close of business for many of us who specialize in training
and coaching people on Hi-Impact Presentation Skills.
So what happens when one does watch TED videos
regularly?
My 2 bits
coming from having many training & coaching relationship with aspiring
presenters is that many of them who watch these videos regularly, end up just
becoming good if not great ‘mimics!’.
Because consistent
watching of TED videos (as the environment is completely different from an
organisational setting) you may tend to pick up styles that large group speakers
use in such open forums. You may love
the pizzaz and the oration they use, but frankly, can you really use these
mannerisms back into your workplace and what if you end up using such oration
in client presentations. Rather than ebing an enabler, it may just end up being
a derailer.
So then, why would we advise watching of TED
videos?
To be
honest, how many videos from the business side are really available in open
space and then, can they be really made available? I mean, any competitor worth
his salt, would have to just watch these videos and viola!, you be able to gauge strategies and execution plans biengo.
And, what
about insider trading laws? Recent videos of reviews, proposals, plans, ideas,
launches etc. may give the viewer soo much inside information that one can go
make a killing in the stock market.
So, why
then? The amazing element in TED videos is that there are people with loads of
passion and high energy that led them to their goals and/or vision, many are corporate
honchos, well attired & groomed and they yes, speak to a ‘live’ audience. Most
of them use slides (calling them ppt’s is a no-no) and their slide decks are visual
delights! (I hear some of them get the decks made by designing professionals).
And yes, some of them do really have great presentation skills and make
mesmerising presentations.
Now with
many TED chapters around the world even if say (just for e.g. sake) 1% of the
presentations are great, we still have a sizable no. of videos available. And,
before I forget, the very fact that these videos are OPEN to DOWNLOAD, let
alone SEE!, makes them an amazing library of Presentation Videos.
So, if you want to be the next GREAT
PRESENTER, what should you really lookout for when watching these Videos?
A few
tips:
1.
The Start! How does the speaker begin? What powerful ‘hook’
are they using?
2.
The
Engagement! How does the speaker engage with the audience? The verbal and the
non-verbal reactions and/or responses they generate that moves the presentation
from a monologue to an interactive dialogue.
3.
The
Framework! What’s the structure of the presentation? Is it the classic Tell 3
(according to me a boring old school style) or maybe the speaker has used
impact framework such as PCS, PPF, AIDA, P&C (more on frameworks in the
next article).
4.
The
Closure! How did the speaker end? Was it Drib with a “That’s It” or maybe ended
with a Flourish (audience genuinely applauded)
5.
The
Speakers Body Language! How’s the Posture? How did they move on
stage? Did they?
6. The Oration! How was
their voice? Feeble or with baritone of power?
7.
The Eyes! Did the
speaker look to the whole audience? Or just to one side of the room or maybe
one person. Or maybe just to the camera (this would mean bad eye-contact)?
The sad
part of TED Talks is that there are no Questions from the audience. Whereas, in reality, in organsiations, the Questions
form the pillars (maybe not in town halls) of organisational presentations.
These can make or break your presentation.
So next time you watch a TED video…
Observe intently
for the performance points above, reflect, think of your own presentation and
start applying the choices you wish to, so that you really become a High-Impact
Presenter and not just a Mimic.
Your style, Your Way!
Ajit Kamath CPF is the
Principal Trainer & Facilitator at WizTalks primarily working out of India.
He has been in the field of #Lecturing, #Training & #Facilitation
since 1993.His flagship program in the initial years of training was “The
Fascinating World of Public Speaking” and “POWER Presentation Skills” having
trained in Companies like Philips, National Stock Exchange, Castrol and others.
He delivers programs primarily for
senior & mid-level Leadership Teams across industries. He has had
experience in the Theatre field that he integrates seamlessly into his training
& facilitation. He is also a Story Teller and Certified Professional
Facilitator using Group Process Facilitation techniques. He can be contacted on
wiztalks@gmail.com, tweeter: @AjitWiz
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