What are the most effective ways to use feedback for repetition and variation in presentations?

1 Identify your strengths and weaknesses

Before you seek feedback, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to improve and what you are already good at. To do this, you can use a SWOT analysis, which stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. A SWOT analysis helps you to assess your presentation skills from four perspectives: what you do well, what you need to work on, what external factors can help you, and what external factors can hinder you. You can use a simple table or chart to list down your SWOT elements and prioritize them according to their importance and urgency.

2 Ask for and receive feedback

Once you have identified your SWOT elements, you can ask for feedback from different sources, such as your audience, your peers, your mentors, or your coach. You can use different methods to collect feedback, such as surveys, questionnaires, interviews, or observations. When you ask for feedback, you should be specific about what you want to know and what kind of feedback you are looking for. For example, you can ask for feedback on your content, your delivery, your structure, your visual aids, or your interaction with the audience. You should also be open-minded and respectful when you receive feedback, and avoid being defensive or dismissive. You should thank the feedback giver and acknowledge their input, even if you disagree with some of it.

3 Apply feedback to your practice and delivery

After you have collected feedback, you need to analyze it and use it to improve your presentation skills. You can use a feedback loop, which is a process of repeating and varying your presentation based on the feedback you receive. A feedback loop consists of four steps: plan, do, check, and act. In the plan step, you set your goals and objectives for your presentation, and decide how you will measure your progress. In the do step, you practice and deliver your presentation, and record or document your performance. In the check step, you review and evaluate your performance, and compare it with your goals and objectives. In the act step, you implement the changes and improvements suggested by the feedback, and repeat the cycle until you achieve your desired results.

4 Avoid common pitfalls and challenges

Using feedback for repetition and variation in your presentations can be challenging, especially if you encounter some common pitfalls and obstacles. Some of these are: ignoring or rejecting feedback that contradicts your self-image or expectations, being overwhelmed or confused by too much or conflicting feedback, being discouraged or demotivated by negative or harsh feedback, or being complacent or satisfied by positive or flattering feedback. To avoid these pitfalls and challenges, you need to have a growth mindset, which is a belief that you can improve your presentation skills with effort and feedback. You also need to have a balance between self-confidence and self-criticism, and be willing to learn from your mistakes and successes.

Feedback is a powerful tool for enhancing your presentation skills, but only if you use it wisely and effectively. By following these tips, you can use feedback for repetition and variation in your presentations, and achieve your goals and objectives. You can also enjoy the process of learning and growing as a presenter, and deliver more engaging and impactful presentations.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?