Why Do So Many Presentations Fall Flat? Lessons from Martin J. Eppler’s TedX Talk

I recently watched Martin J. Eppler’s TedX talk on communication in the information age (if you haven’t seen it, you can find it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt9ZicXC8rs). It got me thinking about how much we still get wrong when presenting ideas, especially in professional settings.

As someone who spent 23 years teaching and leading CPD across schools and learning communities, I’ve witnessed countless presentations that miss the mark. Most educators dread the return to school or university because they're exposed to long and often boring presentations. Eppler’s talk perfectly highlights a key issue: the overload of information that can lead to confusion rather than clarity.

The Problem? We’re Overloading Our Audiences

Eppler points out that most presentations fail because they’re overloaded with too much information and poorly structured visuals. In my own experience, I’ve seen presentations where the speaker relies heavily on text-heavy slides, often reading directly from them, leading to what Eppler calls "death by PowerPoint." This leads to cognitive overload—the audience is forced to read, listen, and process images all at the same time. If you want a giggle, check out Don McMillan's Death by Powerpoint sketch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbSPPFYxx3o

Inspiration from Apple and Storytelling

What Eppler emphasizes aligns with the lessons I’ve drawn from my own influences, like Steve Jobs and Apple. They understood/understand that presentations are not just about information—they’re about storytelling and making an emotional connection.

Apple’s 2013 Emmy award-winning Christmas ad, "Misunderstood," (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03KQTCEM08k) perfectly demonstrates this. The ad didn’t focus on the device itself but on the emotional impact of technology—how it brings people together. It’s a reminder that the best presentations, like the best ads, are about telling a story that resonates emotionally.

The CARP Principles and Good Design

In the design world, we follow CARP principles—**Contrast, Alignment, Repetition, Proximity**—which help create slides that are clean and engaging. As Keri-Lee Beasley’s eBook on Design Principles explains, applying these rules ensures that your slides aren’t just visually appealing, but also guide the audience’s focus to the right place.

During my time as an Apple Distinguished Educator and Apple Professional Learning Specialist, I learned first hand the importance of these principles and the power of storytelling in making presentations more memorable and effective. Indeed, Alan Rosenfield's session on 'principles of design' at the Apple Distinguished Educator's learning event in the Netherlands in 2015, has resonated deeply with me til this day!

Why Haven’t We Improved?

Despite having the tools and knowledge, many of us are still stuck in the past. As Eppler mentions, too many people still rely on outdated presentation methods that don’t engage the audience. This is something I’ve seen over and over in CPD sessions, where leaders present text-heavy, monotonous slides that overwhelm rather than inform.

The challenge is that many professionals haven’t received formal training in effective presentation skills. There’s no focus on storytelling, visual hierarchy, or design principles, which are all critical to delivering a powerful presentation.

Time to Pivot

If we want to get better at communicating, we need to rethink how we present. This means adopting Eppler’s advice, applying the CARP principles, and focusing on storytelling to create presentations that not only inform but inspire.

I encourage everyone to explore resources like Keri-Lee Beasley’s eBook on Design Principles and seek out training that can elevate their skills. We need to move beyond “death by PowerPoint” and start creating presentations that connect emotionally and intellectually.

What’s one thing you could do to improve your next presentation?