Improving Presentation Skills

Do you wish you could present with confidence? Do your presentations lack punch? Or are they poorly constructed? If you answered yes to these questions then you may be relieved to know that you can improve your presentation skills. Presentation and public speaking skills are skills that can be taught and, with practice, will improve over time. We often think of public speaking as a specific skill set reserved for polished professionals, or people in sales and marketing, yet it is an important skill for any individual who would like to speak clearly and confidently.

Most likely, when you think of presentation skills, you picture someone standing in front of an audience speaking confidently with a PowerPoint slide in the background. This is one of many scenarios, yet public speaking and presentation skills are a part of everyday experiences. Have you considered how presentation skills could help you with you next job interview? Or putting forward your opinion at work? Other scenarios include networking events, meeting new people within your social circle, internal work meetings, dealing with suppliers or clients.            

The fear of public speaking is what holds many people back from presenting or speaking up. Overcoming this fear is fundamental to improving presentation skills. So, where do you start? Think of presentations as a form of communication where the presenter is exchanging ideas and information. Good presentation skills allow you to communicate complex information in simple and interesting ways to keep the audience engaged. In addition, presentation skills help you communicate thoughts and feelings effectively, develop self-confidence and gain real world skills.

Content variety is important, include visual aids such as video and images to support your message, or whiteboards and flip charts to explain your point. Consider engaging the audience through questions, demonstrations and by using props. Use vocal variety to maintain interest through pitch (higher / lower), pace (faster / slower), power (louder / softer), pause (longer / shorter) and tone (serious / humorous / formal / informal, etc). Follow these suggestions and your audience will leave your presentations informed and with a clear understanding of your message.  

Body language including facial expressions, hand gestures, eye contact, posture and leg movements, can aid or detract in a presentation. Avoid incongruence by ensuring that your facial expressions match your words. Smile to convey friendliness and confidence; if your message is of a more serious nature then your facial expression should match the tone. When we are nervous or fearful we often hide our hands – in our pockets, behind our backs, by folding our arms, fidgeting or clasping them tightly. If you find you are habitually hiding your hands then consider keeping your arms by your side until you need to gesture and then returning them to your side when you are done gesturing. Otherwise you are signalling to the audience that you are nervous, lack confidence, don’t believe in your own message, are disinterested and unenthusiastic. Instead, support your message through open and varied gestures.

Use eye contact when emphasising a point. Don’t stare at an individual, rather, move quickly throughout the audience to portray interest in the audience member. Standing or sitting tall and straight will display strength and professionalism, never slouch – it will convey disinterest, displeasure and overall boredom. Remember to move with purpose, remaining in one spot can signal a lack of passion and authenticity. Moreover, moving about without purpose, like swaying front to back or pacing back and forth will distract the audience. Other leg movements like jiggling your legs show discomfort and restlessness.

Structure your presentation well, so that all topics are given ample amount of time and the audience is also given time to digest inputs and ask questions. Remember to focus on the audience by focusing on connection; know your content and then adjust your presentation based on audience feedback. You can add clarity and balance to your speech through the clever use of repetition in the form of triads. Here’s an excellent example from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address:    

“But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground.”

The use of repetition helps your audience understand your message and creates balance and rhythm in your delivery. In addition, this repetition creates a concise and memorable message.   

Looking to improve your presentation skills? Visit Picnic Point Toastmasters on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm. We meet at Club Picnic Point, 124 Lambeth St, Panania, 2213.

Toastmasters Training

Have you wondered how you could improve your staff’s communication and leadership skills on an ongoing basis? The new Toastmasters training program, Pathways, is a great place to start. Pathways is an online program that starts with an assessment to meet each member’s individual needs and to enable them to become better and more confident communicators and leaders. The various projects focus on practical skills like Team Collaboration which covers subjects like “Understanding Your Leadership Style” and “Motivate Others”.  

There are 11 different paths with more being added every year. When you join Toastmasters you receive a login to the Toastmasters International website, which is where the Pathways program resides. After completing the assessment you will be presented with the the best matched path and an additional 2 paths as alternative choices, if you are not keen on the best match. Although you are free to select one of the remaining 8 paths if these alternatives don’t suit you.  

The Pathways program has 5 levels, each capitalising on the previous. Subsequent levels are progressively harder than its predecessor and the online lessons give the member a comprehensive explanation for each project. There are common core subjects, commencing with the “Icebreaker” (the first project in level 1) and “Introduction to Toastmasters Mentoring” (a project in level 2) and specialised subjects like “Develop a Communication Plan”.  

For those members who are keen to pursue mentoring, there is a separate path, “Pathways Mentor Program”, which is made available once you complete level 2. The program is comprised of three projects that must be completed sequentially. The projects cover a range of topics from understanding your role as a mentor through to a comprehensive assignment that includes a mentoring commitment lasting six months. All projects are evaluated with personalised specific feedback.

A range of tutorials and resources are available for downloading, including 360^o Evaluations as well as supportive documentation, like the Navigator – which gives the new member an overview of Toastmasters and the Pathways program. Members receive an award for completing each level as well as completing each path (all 5 levels). The highest educational designation you can earn as a member is the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award, given to those who complete two paths, serve in specific volunteer leadership roles and complete the “Distinguished Toastmaster” project.

Pathways is Toastmasters comprehensive training program designed to improve communication, leadership and interpersonal skills. During the meetings you are learning each skill set by following the curriculum and practising different types of speaking, listening and facilitation skills. In addition, leadership activities like motivating others, planning meetings and marketing as well as interpersonal skills are practised in a safe and supportive environment.  

Interested to learn more about Toastmasters and the Pathways training program? Join us at Picnic Point Toastmasters. We meet on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.