7 Qualities Possessed by Every Great Presenter

The world has witnessed over a hundred thousand presenters come and go, each with their unique set of skills. However, when we speak of great presenters, there are only a handful of people who cross our minds.

From the 1900s to 2021, there have been leaders whose ways of presenting have created a new dimension of presentations. Their certain qualities have distinguished them from the crowds and helped them establish an identity for themselves.

We have jotted down a few such skill-sets that all great speakers possess. Have a look!

1. Practice Makes a Man?Perfect

Ever wonder how certain presenters walk on the stage, effortlessly present, and flawlessly conclude their sessions? The pillar of this art is nothing but preparation and practice. Great presenters always stay focused on attaining perfectionism, and they work on their shortcomings and master their strengths. Not all of us are born with the gift of being good presenters, but by rehearsing and learning, we can ace the game.

One such example of how continuous practice gave birth to one of the greatest presenters in the world is Winston Churchill. In his first public speech, Churchill froze and couldn’t utter a word. He then spent years polishing his speeches, refining his gestures, and practicing the delivery. This made him one of the most amazing speakers of all time.

Therefore, practice is one of the most crucial qualities of great presenters . As much as it helps eradicate stress and anxiety, it is extremely crucial for handling unexpected problems on the stage. It makes you completely well-versed in the subject and creates a wider space for creativity.

2. Active Listening?—?Questions, Feedback, and Participation

Delivery is one part of the presentation, while actively listening to your audience, understanding their opinions, and answering their questions is yet another crucial part of it. It can help build trust among your listeners, increase their confidence in you, and create a good bond between you and them.

Letting your audience participate in the discussion and pondering upon their feedback can help a presenter grow profoundly.

4. Passion

If you aren’t excited about your presentation, your audience might also lose interest. When you speak with enthusiasm, your listeners will likely resonate with the same energy and listen with sheer focus and dedication. Passion will help influence those sitting before you.

5. Master the Art of Storytelling

There’s a reason why good presenters are heard, and great presenters are listened to. The latter weave their ideas into stories and narrate them in a compelling manner. This art of storytelling is an age-old way of attracting people’s attention positively.

For instance, before announcing any new launch, Steve Jobs, the master of corporate storytelling, took a moment to recall the story of Apple’s journey. He knitted words in such a manner that made people believe in the value of Apple and its products.

6. Voice Modulation

Modulating your voice is an important factor in determining the success of your presentation. It helps convince the audience about your ideas and reflects your confidence level.

Let us understand this with the example of Oprah Winfrey, one of the most celebrated women speakers of all time. Winfrey connects with her audience by modulating her voice and volume. With powerful and inspirational speeches, her tone resonates with the magnanimity of her content, and thus, it resonates better with the audience.

7. Humility and?Kindness

Imagine yourself listening to two equally knowledgeable people. One of them starts his performance and depicts a sense of utter pride and arrogance, mocks the audience’s questions, and has his head in the clouds. The other one starts by acknowledging the listeners, creating room for all kinds of questions, and speaking politely to them.

Who would you be interested in listening to? It would be the second one, simply because of his humility and kindness.

8. Win them Through?Gestures

Projecting confidence through your gestures will make you conquer the stage. The way you speak, stand, and present can help you connect better with the audience and increase the profoundness of your content.

For instance, in her Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Malala Yousafzai’s gestures and hand movements were in perfect harmony with her speech. It added to the value of her words and created her presence on the stage.

Conclusion

Great presenters are not born; they are built through years of hard work, persistence, and discipline. By aiming to learn the good qualities of such presenters, one can go a long way and establish themselves in the field of presentations.

Originally published at https://www.namasteui.com on July 12, 2022.