One Minute Pause No 8

I’m declaring war on robots.

Not the kind that make cars in Japanese factories.

I’m declaring war on presentation robots - the presenter who shows a radical departure from their own natural style when they stand up and speak.

We all know the type. During the course of conversation, say over lunch, they are their normal, usual self.

Yet, the moment they begin a presentation a strange thing starts to happen. Their body language suddenly changes. They adopt a more “presentation-like” stance, and start making exaggerated hand gestures. Their voice changes. They become jerky, awkward.

Before your eyes, they turn into a presentation robot.

It’s happening everywhere.

Why?

Well for many years presentation skills courses have been all about teaching us how to act in a given presentation situation. So, we learn rules like “make eye contact for 3 seconds”, “make 3.5 hand gestures per minute” and “clothes to wear for power presentations.”

This type of learning only ever creates more robots - like a big production line.

To give them their dues, robots are always dependable and never out of line.

But I’ve never felt that close to one. They have never managed to be that convincing, or believable. Worse, they are always almost instantly forgettable.

So what’s the opposite of robotic? Well, look to: Richard Branson, Anita Roddick, Rachel Elnaugh, Philip Green.

Why?

Because they are natural.

They are comfortable being themselves, in their own skin.

Now you’re probably thinking that you would be comfortable too if you had Richard Branson’s sort of money.

But being anti-robotic isn’t about money.

It’s about certainty, which Branson and co share plenty of.

Try to concentrate on being clear on your key messages, rather than acting your way through a presentation.

With clarity comes certainty, and with certainty comes your own natural style.

If you spot a robot, declare war. Tell them there’s a better way.

In future OMPs: how to get more certainty including the top 3 ways to
reduce nerves prior to a presentation.

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