Comments on: Business presentations – don’t take performance too far

By: Kevin Kane

Kevin Kane — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 04:11:44 +0000

Olivia, I almost didn’t read this article because there was no pretty picture to lure me in.

I huffed for a few minutes, but then I got over my resentment and read it, anyway.

During my last talk I totally focused on connecting with individuals and I didn’t worry at all about presenting with any dramatic flair, hand gestures, eyebrow tricks, etc.

I felt totally relaxed and it was my most natural and enjoyable presentation.

Great article, Olivia. But we demand pictures next time.

Kevin “Obviously I’m too cool to rehearse” Kane

By: Olivia Mitchell

Olivia Mitchell — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:38:17 +0000

Hi Lisa, I enjoyed your post on this issue – and I agree that both performance and connection are possible at the same time – and should be our aim as professional speakers.

For training people who are inexperienced presenters (which I spend most of my time doing) I believe that focusing on the conversation first is the most useful.

Olivia

By: Lisa Braithwaite

Lisa Braithwaite — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:04:49 +0000

Olivia, I totally agree with you that a presentation, at best, is conversational and that the thought of “performing” strikes fear into speakers’ hearts.

That being said, I think performance and connection are possible at the same time, and I addressed the issue in a blog post last year that you might find interesting:

http://coachlisab.blogspot.com/2007/09/public-speaking-performance-vs.html

By: Six Minutes

Six Minutes — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:13:08 +0000

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