When we make presentations, there are things we can feel scared of – what if:
- Someone asks us about a topic we were going to discuss in ten minutes time?
- They ask something we don’t know the answer to?
- They disagree with us?
- We ask a question, and nobody answers?
Not fun.
But they’re manageable.
And the secret to managing them?
- SCRIPT
- PRACTICE
In other words:
- SCRIPT in advance what you’ll say, when these things happen
- PRACTICE saying them out loud a lot. At least 10-20 times – until they feel natural to you
For instance, scripts you could use with some of the above examples include…
We’re asked about a topic we’d planned to discuss later
Example Script: “Thank you. We’re addressing that topic in a few minutes. There are a couple of things I need to explain first, so it’ll make more sense when I explain it then. Is that ok?”
(They’ll agree to this. After all, if they insist we answer it now… our answer might not “make sense”!)
They ask something we don’t know the answer to
Example Script #1: “What element of this do you want more info on?”
(When they give more detail on what they want to know, we might know the answer to that bit).
Example Script #2: “I don’t have the answer to that. But I know where to get it. As soon as we finish here, I’ll find the answer, then come back to you immediately. Ok?”
Example Script #3: “Great question! Does anyone know the answer to this?”
(If they do, great. If not, use Scripts #1 or #2 as a follow-up)
All these are just example scripts. So:
- If you like them, great. Just practice them 10-20 times. And you’ll immediately be better next time these things happen again
- If you don’t… create your own. And then practice saying them
I’ve got to the stage now where I love these things happening.
Because I know how to deal with them.
But I used to hate them.
And the only thing I did, to turn this hate into love … ?
… Simple: SCRIPT AND PRACTICE.
Action Point
- Identify the things you most fear when making a presentation
- SCRIPT in advance how you’ll reply when they happen…
- …and then PRACTICE saying them out loud 10-20 times, until you become epic