Monday, March 30, 2020

A Quick Look at all Seven Rules

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The Authenticity Rules are seven basic rules that are insights into the shared knowledge areas of highly effective presenters.  These rules and one basic tip in each area are listed below.

The Gravity Rule - Know Thyself
Gravity always exists.  You can only overcome it temporarily.  You must know what you personally bring to the presentation that no one else can or that no one else can just like you.

The Iceberg Rule - Know Your Content
The majority of an iceberg's mass is under water.  Great presenters are the same way.  The presentation they deliver only reveals a small amount of the total content he/she has about the subject.

The YourSpace Rule - Know Your Audience
Audience members love to be understood.  This begins with you understanding their needs, the amount of prior knowledge they have about your topic, what the barriers might be to them engaging, etc.

The Surgeon Rule - Know Your Tools
You would never allow a surgeon to cut into you if he/she were not an expert with the operation room tools.  The audience feels the same way about you.  Know how to operate all the tools you must use during your presentation - microphone, projector, computer, props, etc.

The 7-Iron Rule - Know Your Flow
When a golfer learns how to hit a 7-iron they have learned 80% of what they need to know to hit all the other clubs in the bag (except the putter.)  Your flow works the same way.  It is how long you spend on one thing before moving to the next thing.  Learn how to be an expert at moving the presentation along and you are 80% of the way there.

The Mask Rule - Know Your Enemies
Bad guys wear masks to disguise who they really are.  Every presenter has enemies in masks keeping them from giving their best.  Know what these are for you and work to overcome them - nerves, under-prepared, under-qualified, not an expert, sickness, etc.

The Mavericks Rule - Know Your Difference-Makers
Just south of Half Moon Bay on the northern California coast line is an area called Mavericks.  This small stretch of water creates 25+ feet waves that crazy surfers live to ride.  If you can safely surf the Mavericks, everyone knows instantly you are a different (IE - insanely good) surfer.  Every great presenter has at least one thing that is a difference-maker for them; something that sets them apart from other presenters.  Figure out what your's is and never lose it.

If you need individual or group coaching on presentations, let me know.  I spend a good amount of time every year coaching people to be authentically awesome up in front.  

Saturday, February 29, 2020

The Best Word To Describe the Best Presenters

What word would you most want your audience members to use to describe you as a presenter?  I have presented thousands of speeches, workshops, trainings, etc. to over one million audience members over two decades.  I believe the word POISED should be your goal.

P - Prepare fully for the speech, training and/or event. Understand what the audience needs and wants and prepare your content and yourself accordingly.
O - Open eyes wide for opportunities to exceed each audience member's expectations.
I - Eyes are always on me - on stage and off stage.  Your on-stage self should simply be an enhanced version of your authentic self.
S - Serve the audience and my fellow presenters. Be care-ismatic, cordial, friendly, etc.
E - Expect and manage gracefully bumps. Flexibility is the key here.  
D - Deliver more than expected. Except in regards to time, of course.  Start strong, stay strong, end early.

Take a look at your habits before and during your presentations and make sure they are focused on making you a more POISED presenter.  Good luck.

Friday, January 31, 2020

Simple Technique To Control Nerves

Step 1: As early as possible, know your content up one side and back down the other.

Step 2: The morning of your program, take your mind totally off your presentation.

Step 3: Before your program, listen to whatever you can to make yourself laugh intensely. Laughter fills your blood and brain with good chemicals that make you feel great, relax you and put you in an awesome mood.

Step 4: Nerves are normal. Don't worry about them.