The 3Es of Performance: Engage. Entertain. Educate.

So, I’ve been working with executives preparing for big presentations: SKOs, AGMs, and yes. Holiday parties!??

Video creation, script review, presentation & stage presence sessions. It’s a whole thing…I love it.

Most of the executives I’m working with… they don’t love it. That’s okay. You can be amazing at what you do and not love the performance aspects of your role. That doesn’t mean you get a hall pass. BUT you can find ways to make the task easier.?

Whether you’re preparing for an AGM or some other big meeting—the stakes are high, the audience is sharp, and everyone in the room has their eyes on you… As I’ve coached clients through these moments, I’ve noticed something: no matter the industry, no matter the role, the same question keeps coming up.

"How do I (we) make sure they actually listen to me (us)?"

This question drives everything. Because if your audience isn’t tuned in, it doesn’t matter how good your ideas are. And if they’re only half-listening, they’re not going to walk away inspired—or informed.

This year, I’ve been working on a new framework that I find particularly helpful when crafting high-impact events: The 3Es…

Engagement.?

Entertainment.?

Education.?

Three elements that sit at the foundation of an excellent presentation.?

Whether you’re speaking to shareholders, pitching to a client, leading a team meeting, the balance of these three ingredients determines your impact. You need all three—it’s not a “pick one” situation—but the way you mix them is what makes the magic happen.

Let’s break it down.

Engagement: Capturing and Holding Attention

Engagement means you’re able to grab someone’s attention—and keep it.

This is where structure comes in. If your presentation feels scattered or hard to follow, you’ll lose your audience in seconds. Engaging communication is clear, purposeful, and easy to track. You’re taking people on a journey, one step at a time.

How do you engage an audience?

• Have a clear agenda. Let your audience know where you’re taking them.
• Use compelling visuals. A good slide isn’t decoration—it’s part of the story.
• Build anchors into your presentation. Maybe it’s a recurring theme, a powerful image, or even a key phrase.

Engagement is about earning their trust right from the start. It says, “I know where we’re going, and you can trust me to get us there.”

Ask yourself:

• Am I taking them on a journey?
• Do my slides or visuals enhance—or distract?
• Is my message structured in a way that feels easy to follow?

Entertainment: Making Them Feel Something

Entertainment doesn’t mean juggling or telling knock-knock jokes (unless that’s your thing, in which case, go for it). It means making your audience feel.

Think about your favorite movie. Why do you remember it? Because it made you laugh, cry, or sit on the edge of your seat. Great communication does the same thing—it makes your audience lean in. And the key to being entertaining? Storytelling.

Stories are where your message comes to life. They connect ideas to emotions. They make your content memorable.

How do you entertain an audience?

• Tell stories that make your ideas real.
• Use authentic emotion. If you’re passionate about something, let it show.
• Create moments of surprise—a laugh, a bold statement, or even a pause.

Ask yourself:

• How do I want my audience to feel by the end?
• Do I have a story or example that connects emotionally?
• Am I keeping their attention with moments that stick?

On vulnerability: stores are MOST powerful when they highlight our shared humanity. Yes, it’s a business meeting… but everyone in that room (okay, except maybe the transcribing AI bots) is human. BE human, tell a story about emotion, about people, about life. Try telling a story from outside the work world… and then connect it back to your point. Trust me, your audience will thank you!

Education: Leaving Them Smarter

At the end of the day, your audience wants to walk away with something. Something new. Different. Innovative. Hence: education.

Your presentation has the opportunity not to simply inform but to transform. To leave your audience thinking differently, equipped with some novel method, approach, information, or opportunity.

How do you educate an audience?

• Deliver actionable takeaways. What can they do with what you’ve shared?
• Simplify complex ideas. If it’s too dense to follow, it won’t stick.
• Make it relevant to your audience’s world.

Education answers the “so what?” question. It makes your audience feel like the time they spent listening to you was worth it.

Ask yourself:

• What’s the one thing I want them to take away?
• Have I simplified my message into something they can actually use?
• Did I leave them smarter—or just fill up time? (Don’t. Just. Fill. Up. Time.)

The Power of Three

Before your next big presentation, ask yourself:

1. Am I engaging them? Does my structure keep them with me?
2. Am I entertaining them? Will they feel connected to my message?
3. Am I educating them? Are they walking away with something new?

The mix is up to you. Maybe you lean more into education for an investor update. Maybe entertainment plays a bigger role in a keynote. The point is to use all three intentionally.

That’s when people listen. That’s when they remember. And that’s when your message has impact.

Questions about the 3Es?

Struggling with this concept? Question(s) to ask? Anecdote to share? I love to hear from this community about how newsletter topics manifest in your world. Tell me! Reply, comment, or reshare with your thoughts to join the conversation.

—

At Lange International Inc., we work with executives and their teams to approach every high-stakes moment with confidence, curiosity, and poise–and have fun while doing it! We work one-on-one with leaders and also deliver keynotes and workshops for companies around the globe. Looking to level up your communication? We’d love to connect. Discover our digital courses for deeper learning: Executive Presence & High Stakes-Communications.