Why should you stop giving presentations?

What I have learned from presenting to some of the most innovative, intelligent, and driven people on the planet.

Over the next few days, I want to share a few ways to dramatically improve most presentations, training, and communications.

First, take a moment to imagine this:

A friend comes over to your house, stands at the center of your living room, and recites a monologue about their life, how they are doing, their thoughts, and what they hope will happen in the next year. Then, when it's finally over, they ask if you have any questions. After answering one, they mention that they are short on time and leave.

Would you invite this person over again? Would it feel strange and inauthentic?

So why do we do it in business and what should we do instead?

START HAVING CONVERSATIONS

People remember 90% of what they say and do. Customize your presentation based on what they tell you.

Start by creating a conversation. It doesn't matter how big the audience is. Here are some ways to do it.

1. Ask actual questions and get actual answers.

Tell the audience that you've come to them to speak about the topic. Ask them, what would be most useful for you to hear today.

If you've done your job, you've already prepared nearly all of what they will ask for, and what you haven't prepared you can speak to, follow up with, or prepare for the next time. After confirming that you have something that resonates and connects the interest level and your job with be one thousand times easier.

2. Turn passive involvement into active involvement.

Say this: "I want you to think about (subject) and a time when you had a challenge around it. I'm not going to make you share, just raise your hand when you've thought of something."

This gets them engaged in your content. Celebrate those who raise their hands first and tell the others that you'll wait until they have something. Then ask who is willing to share an example. Use this example to highlight some of the things you're planning to talk about.

3. Be brave and test yourself.

Let them know that you want to see how well you've prepared. List the prepared topics quickly that you want to have a conversation about. Ask them to raise their hands if they resonate with the topic. Move fast and make it a game.

Pay attention. If you mention a topic and no one raises their hands -- skip the slide, minimize the content, or if it's really valuable, reframe the question when you circle back to it.

Be Free!

By creating a conversation with your audience you can escape the prison of presentations. You'll find your audiences more engaged, eager to share, and they'll remember 90% of their interaction.

Did something resonate with you in this post? What did I miss? What else do you struggle with when presenting? Dive in!