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6 presentation skills and how to improve them

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What are presentation skills?

The importance of presentation skills, 6 presentation skills examples, how to improve presentation skills.

Tips for dealing with presentation anxiety

Learn how to captivate an audience with ease

Capturing an audience’s attention takes practice. 

Over time, great presenters learn how to organize their speeches and captivate an audience from start to finish. They spark curiosity, know how to read a room , and understand what their audience needs to walk away feeling like they learned something valuable.

Regardless of your profession, you most likely use presentation skills on a monthly or even weekly basis. Maybe you lead brainstorming sessions or host client calls. 

Developing effective presentation skills makes it easier to contribute ideas with confidence and show others you’re someone to trust. Although speaking in front of a crowd sometimes brings nerves and anxiety , it also sparks new opportunities.

Presentation skills are the qualities and abilities you need to communicate ideas effectively and deliver a compelling speech. They influence how you structure a presentation and how an audience receives it. Understanding body language , creating impactful visual aids, and projecting your voice all fall under this umbrella.

A great presentation depends on more than what you say. It’s about how you say it. Storytelling , stage presence, and voice projection all shape how well you express your ideas and connect with the audience. These skills do take practice, but they’re worth developing — especially if public speaking makes you nervous. 

Engaging a crowd isn’t easy. You may feel anxious to step in front of an audience and have all eyes and ears on you.

But feeling that anxiety doesn’t mean your ideas aren’t worth sharing. Whether you’re giving an inspiring speech or delivering a monthly recap at work, your audience is there to listen to you. Harness that nervous energy and turn it into progress.

Strong presentation skills make it easier to convey your thoughts to audiences of all sizes. They can help you tell a compelling story, convince people of a pitch , or teach a group something entirely new to them. And when it comes to the workplace, the strength of your presentation skills could play a part in getting a promotion or contributing to a new initiative.

To fully understand the impact these skills have on creating a successful presentation, it’s helpful to look at each one individually. Here are six valuable skills you can develop:

1. Active listening

Active listening is an excellent communication skill for any professional to hone. When you have strong active listening skills, you can listen to others effectively and observe their nonverbal cues . This helps you assess whether or not your audience members are engaged in and understand what you’re sharing. 

Great public speakers use active listening to assess the audience’s reactions and adjust their speech if they find it lacks impact. Signs like slouching, negative facial expressions, and roaming eye contact are all signs to watch out for when giving a presentation.

2. Body language

If you’re researching presentation skills, chances are you’ve already watched a few notable speeches like TED Talks or industry seminars. And one thing you probably noticed is that speakers can capture attention with their body language. 

A mixture of eye contact, hand gestures , and purposeful pacing makes a presentation more interesting and engaging. If you stand in one spot and don’t move your body, the audience might zone out.

3. Stage presence

A great stage presence looks different for everyone. A comedian might aim for more movement and excitement, and a conference speaker might focus their energy on the content of their speech. Although neither is better than the other, both understand their strengths and their audience’s needs. 

Developing a stage presence involves finding your own unique communication style . Lean into your strengths, whether that’s adding an injection of humor or asking questions to make it interactive . To give a great presentation, you might even incorporate relevant props or presentation slides.

4. Storytelling

According to Forbes, audiences typically pay attention for about 10 minutes before tuning out . But you can lengthen their attention span by offering a presentation that interests them for longer. Include a narrative they’ll want to listen to, and tell a story as you go along. 

Shaping your content to follow a clear narrative can spark your audience’s curiosity and entice them to pay careful attention. You can use anecdotes from your personal or professional life that take your audience along through relevant moments. If you’re pitching a product, you can start with a problem and lead your audience through the stages of how your product provides a solution.

5. Voice projection

Although this skill may be obvious, you need your audience to hear what you’re saying. This can be challenging if you’re naturally soft-spoken and struggle to project your voice.

Remember to straighten your posture and take deep breaths before speaking, which will help you speak louder and fill the room. If you’re talking into a microphone or participating in a virtual meeting, you can use your regular conversational voice, but you still want to sound confident and self-assured with a strong tone.

If you’re unsure whether everyone can hear you, you can always ask the audience at the beginning of your speech and wait for confirmation. That way, they won’t have to potentially interrupt you later.

Ensuring everyone can hear you also includes your speed and annunciation. It’s easy to speak quickly when nervous, but try to slow down and pronounce every word. Mumbling can make your presentation difficult to understand and pay attention to.

6. Verbal communication 

Although verbal communication involves your projection and tone, it also covers the language and pacing you use to get your point across. This includes where you choose to place pauses in your speech or the tone you use to emphasize important ideas.

If you’re giving a presentation on collaboration in the workplace , you might start your speech by saying, “There’s something every workplace needs to succeed: teamwork.” By placing emphasis on the word “ teamwork ,” you give your audience a hint on what ideas will follow.

To further connect with your audience through diction, pay careful attention to who you’re speaking to. The way you talk to your colleagues might be different from how you speak to a group of superiors, even if you’re discussing the same subject. You might use more humor and a conversational tone for the former and more serious, formal diction for the latter.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses when it comes to presenting. Maybe you’re confident in your use of body language, but your voice projection needs work. Maybe you’re a great storyteller in small group settings, but need to work on your stage presence in front of larger crowds. 

The first step to improving presentation skills is pinpointing your gaps and determining which qualities to build upon first. Here are four tips for enhancing your presentation skills:

1. Build self-confidence

Confident people know how to speak with authority and share their ideas. Although feeling good about your presentation skills is easier said than done, building confidence is key to helping your audience believe in what you’re saying. Try practicing positive self-talk and continuously researching your topic's ins and outs.

If you don’t feel confident on the inside, fake it until you make it. Stand up straight, project your voice, and try your best to appear engaged and excited. Chances are, the audience doesn’t know you’re unsure of your skills — and they don’t need to.

Another tip is to lean into your slideshow, if you’re using one. Create something colorful and interesting so the audience’s eyes fall there instead of on you. And when you feel proud of your slideshow, you’ll be more eager to share it with others, bringing more energy to your presentation.

2. Watch other presentations

Developing the soft skills necessary for a good presentation can be challenging without seeing them in action. Watch as many as possible to become more familiar with public speaking skills and what makes a great presentation. You could attend events with keynote speakers or view past speeches on similar topics online.

Take a close look at how those presenters use verbal communication and body language to engage their audiences. Grab a notebook and jot down what you enjoyed and your main takeaways. Try to recall the techniques they used to emphasize their main points, whether they used pauses effectively, had interesting visual aids, or told a fascinating story.

3. Get in front of a crowd

You don’t need a large auditorium to practice public speaking. There are dozens of other ways to feel confident and develop good presentation skills.

If you’re a natural comedian, consider joining a small stand-up comedy club. If you’re an avid writer, participate in a public poetry reading. Even music and acting can help you feel more comfortable in front of a crowd.

If you’d rather keep it professional, you can still work on your presentation skills in the office. Challenge yourself to participate at least once in every team meeting, or plan and present a project to become more comfortable vocalizing your ideas. You could also speak to your manager about opportunities that flex your public speaking abilities.

4. Overcome fear

Many people experience feelings of fear before presenting in front of an audience, whether those feelings appear as a few butterflies or more severe anxiety. Try grounding yourself to shift your focus to the present moment. If you’re stuck dwelling on previous experiences that didn’t go well, use those mistakes as learning experiences and focus on what you can improve to do better in the future.

Tips for dealing with presentation anxiety 

It’s normal to feel nervous when sharing your ideas. In fact, according to a report from the Journal of Graduate Medical Education, public speaking anxiety is prevalent in 15–30% of the general population .

Even though having a fear of public speaking is common, it doesn’t make it easier. You might feel overwhelmed, become stiff, and forget what you were going to say. But although the moment might scare you, there are ways to overcome the fear and put mind over matter.

Use these tactics to reduce your stress when you have to make a presentation:

1. Practice breathing techniques

If you experience anxiety often, you’re probably familiar with breathing techniques for stress relief . Incorporating these exercises into your daily routine can help you stop worrying and regulate anxious feelings. 

Before a big presentation, take a moment alone to practice breathing techniques, ground yourself, and reduce tension. It’s also a good idea to take breaths throughout the presentation to speak slower and calm yourself down .

2. Get organized

The more organized you are, the more prepared you’ll feel. Carefully outline all of the critical information you want to use in your presentation, including your main talking points and visual aids, so you don’t forget anything. Use bullet points and visuals on each slide to remind you of what you want to talk about, and create handheld notes to help you stay on track.

3. Embrace moments of silence

It’s okay to lose your train of thought. It happens to even the most experienced public speakers once in a while. If your mind goes blank, don’t panic. Take a moment to breathe, gather your thoughts, and refer to your notes to see where you left off. You can drink some water or make a quick joke to ease the silence or regain your footing. And it’s okay to say, “Give me a moment while I find my notes.” Chances are, people understand the position you’re in.

4. Practice makes progress

Before presenting, rehearse in front of friends and family members you trust. This gives you the chance to work out any weak spots in your speech and become comfortable communicating out loud. If you want to go the extra mile, ask your makeshift audience to ask a surprise question. This tests your on-the-spot thinking and will prove that you can keep cool when things come up.

Whether you’re new to public speaking or are a seasoned presenter, you’re bound to make a few slip-ups. It happens to everyone. The most important thing is that you try your best, brush things off, and work on improving your skills to do better in your next presentation.

Although your job may require a different level of public speaking than your favorite TED Talk , developing presentation skills is handy in any profession. You can use presentation skills in a wide range of tasks in the workplace, whether you’re sharing your ideas with colleagues, expressing concerns to higher-ups, or pitching strategies to potential clients.

Remember to use active listening to read the room and engage your audience with an interesting narrative. Don’t forget to step outside your comfort zone once in a while and put your skills to practice in front of a crowd. After facing your fears, you’ll feel confident enough to put presentation skills on your resume.

If you’re trying to build your skills and become a better employee overall, try a communications coach with BetterUp. 

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Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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Ideas and insights from Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning

Powerful and Effective Presentation Skills: More in Demand Now Than Ever

When we talk with our L&D colleagues from around the globe, we often hear that presentation skills training is one of the top opportunities they’re looking to provide their learners. And this holds true whether their learners are individual contributors, people managers, or senior leaders. This is not surprising.

Effective communications skills are a powerful career activator, and most of us are called upon to communicate in some type of formal presentation mode at some point along the way.

For instance, you might be asked to brief management on market research results, walk your team through a new process, lay out the new budget, or explain a new product to a client or prospect. Or you may want to build support for a new idea, bring a new employee into the fold, or even just present your achievements to your manager during your performance review.

And now, with so many employees working from home or in hybrid mode, and business travel in decline, there’s a growing need to find new ways to make effective presentations when the audience may be fully virtual or a combination of in person and remote attendees.

Whether you’re making a standup presentation to a large live audience, or a sit-down one-on-one, whether you’re delivering your presentation face to face or virtually, solid presentation skills matter.

Even the most seasoned and accomplished presenters may need to fine-tune or update their skills. Expectations have changed over the last decade or so. Yesterday’s PowerPoint which primarily relied on bulleted points, broken up by the occasional clip-art image, won’t cut it with today’s audience.

The digital revolution has revolutionized the way people want to receive information. People expect presentations that are more visually interesting. They expect to see data, metrics that support assertions. And now, with so many previously in-person meetings occurring virtually, there’s an entirely new level of technical preparedness required.

The leadership development tools and the individual learning opportunities you’re providing should include presentation skills training that covers both the evergreen fundamentals and the up-to-date capabilities that can make or break a presentation.

So, just what should be included in solid presentation skills training? Here’s what I think.

The fundamentals will always apply When it comes to making a powerful and effective presentation, the fundamentals will always apply. You need to understand your objective. Is it strictly to convey information, so that your audience’s knowledge is increased? Is it to persuade your audience to take some action? Is it to convince people to support your idea? Once you understand what your objective is, you need to define your central message. There may be a lot of things you want to share with your audience during your presentation, but find – and stick with – the core, the most important point you want them to walk away with. And make sure that your message is clear and compelling.

You also need to tailor your presentation to your audience. Who are they and what might they be expecting? Say you’re giving a product pitch to a client. A technical team may be interested in a lot of nitty-gritty product detail. The business side will no doubt be more interested in what returns they can expect on their investment.

Another consideration is the setting: is this a formal presentation to a large audience with questions reserved for the end, or a presentation in a smaller setting where there’s the possibility for conversation throughout? Is your presentation virtual or in-person? To be delivered individually or as a group? What time of the day will you be speaking? Will there be others speaking before you and might that impact how your message will be received?

Once these fundamentals are established, you’re in building mode. What are the specific points you want to share that will help you best meet your objective and get across your core message? Now figure out how to convey those points in the clearest, most straightforward, and succinct way. This doesn’t mean that your presentation has to be a series of clipped bullet points. No one wants to sit through a presentation in which the presenter reads through what’s on the slide. You can get your points across using stories, fact, diagrams, videos, props, and other types of media.

Visual design matters While you don’t want to clutter up your presentation with too many visual elements that don’t serve your objective and can be distracting, using a variety of visual formats to convey your core message will make your presentation more memorable than slides filled with text. A couple of tips: avoid images that are cliched and overdone. Be careful not to mix up too many different types of images. If you’re using photos, stick with photos. If you’re using drawn images, keep the style consistent. When data are presented, stay consistent with colors and fonts from one type of chart to the next. Keep things clear and simple, using data to support key points without overwhelming your audience with too much information. And don’t assume that your audience is composed of statisticians (unless, of course, it is).

When presenting qualitative data, brief videos provide a way to engage your audience and create emotional connection and impact. Word clouds are another way to get qualitative data across.

Practice makes perfect You’ve pulled together a perfect presentation. But it likely won’t be perfect unless it’s well delivered. So don’t forget to practice your presentation ahead of time. Pro tip: record yourself as you practice out loud. This will force you to think through what you’re going to say for each element of your presentation. And watching your recording will help you identify your mistakes—such as fidgeting, using too many fillers (such as “umm,” or “like”), or speaking too fast.

A key element of your preparation should involve anticipating any technical difficulties. If you’ve embedded videos, make sure they work. If you’re presenting virtually, make sure that the lighting is good, and that your speaker and camera are working. Whether presenting in person or virtually, get there early enough to work out any technical glitches before your presentation is scheduled to begin. Few things are a bigger audience turn-off than sitting there watching the presenter struggle with the delivery mechanisms!

Finally, be kind to yourself. Despite thorough preparation and practice, sometimes, things go wrong, and you need to recover in the moment, adapt, and carry on. It’s unlikely that you’ll have caused any lasting damage and the important thing is to learn from your experience, so your next presentation is stronger.

How are you providing presentation skills training for your learners?

Manika Gandhi is Senior Learning Design Manager at Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning. Email her at [email protected] .

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How to make a great presentation

Stressed about an upcoming presentation? These talks are full of helpful tips on how to get up in front of an audience and make a lasting impression.

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How to Improve Presentation Skills to Keep Listeners' Attention

Ready to grab your audience's attention and keep them engaged to convey your message? Work with Laurie to learn how to improve presentation skills. In the business world, you need to deliver a dynamic, high-impact presentation to successfully communicate. Discover proven methods to connect with and engage your audience.

4 Reasons Presentations Fail

People sometimes get into bad habits or haven't learned the proper way to use important communication tools. For example:

• Do you use PowerPoint as a crutch?
• Do you give the same speech without any modifications no matter who is in your audience?
• Do you catch your audience nodding off or glazing over?
• Do you engage with your audience and get them to participate?

If you're ready to learn how to improve your presentation skills to get to the next level, Laurie's Presentation Skills Programs will help you:

• Minimize nervousness while presenting
• Improve your dynamic vocal quality
• Use body language and gestures for greater impact
• Engage your audience and keep them interested
• Create a dynamic presentation
• Use visuals and PowerPoint effectively
• Tell stories for business
• Handle questions
• Deal with a difficult audience
• Present to different audiences

3 Dynamic Programs for How to Improve Presentation Skills

1.  Presentation Skills: Are They Snoring in the Back Row? Learn how to improve presentation skills and create a compelling program that people can't help but listen to and respond.

2.  Technical Presentation Skills: From Knowledge to Impact In a technical position such as scientist, engineer, or medical professional, you need to present complex information in an engaging way, so no matter who is in the audience, they understand your material. You'll look smart and the audience will feel smart too.

3.  Executive Presentation Skills: Speak to Lead As an executive you must build rapport with listeners and persuade them to take action. Learn to speak with confidence to lead your team.

 "Laurie took what could be a very daunting task—improving on presentation and training skills—and made it very accessible. Her interactive and comprehensive approach was so useful and impactful, that I wish we could have her come every month! " —STEPHANIE HAINLEY, Chief Operating Officer, White and Burke

Laurie Brown Delivers Content-Rich Programs on How to Improve Presentation Skills

Hire Laurie for presentations skills training with PowerPoint tips that deliver results. Her programs are packed with proven techniques and will make a tremendous difference for your company.

Contact Laurie now at (248) 761-7510 for your breakout session or in-house training.

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How to Become a Better Listener

• Robin Abrahams
• Boris Groysberg

Sharpen these seven skills.

Listening is a skill that’s vitally important, sadly undertaught, and physically and mentally taxing. In the aftermath of Covid-19, particularly with the shift to remote work and the red-hot job market, it’s never been more important — or more difficult — for leaders to be good listeners. This article offers nine tips to help leaders become more active listeners, and a breakdown of the subskills involved in listening and how you can improve in them.

It’s never been more important — or more difficult — for leaders to be good listeners. Job switching is rampant, and remote work means we don’t get the nonverbal cues we’d pick up from an in-person conversation. Employers who fail to listen and thoughtfully respond to their people’s concerns will see greater turnover. And given that the highest rates of turnover are among top performers who can take clients and projects with them, and the frontline employees responsible for the customer experience, the risk is clear.

• Robin Abrahams is a research associate at Harvard Business School.
• BG Boris Groysberg is a professor of business administration in the Organizational Behavior unit at Harvard Business School and a faculty affiliate at the school’s Race, Gender & Equity Initiative. He is the coauthor, with Colleen Ammerman, of Glass Half-Broken: Shattering the Barriers That Still Hold Women Back at Work (Harvard Business Review Press, 2021). bgroysberg

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Top 20 Presentation Skills You Need to Wow Your Audience

Pick up the key presentation skills, including confident delivery, preparation, breathing techniques, and more!

Dag Hendrik Lerdal

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Standing in front of an audience and giving a presentation isn’t a walk in the park. Sure, it comes naturally to some people, but others have to work hard to cultivate the skills to make them master presents.

If you’re looking for ways to elevate your presentation, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll walk you through the top 20 presentation skills you need to wow and captivate your audience. 

1. Master Verbal Communication

Public speaking is a bit like a conversation on steroids. To ace it, your words need to be clear, concise, and concrete. No one likes a rambler. Speak to the point, ditch the jargon, and offer real examples. Remember, your audience is not here for a linguistic acrobatics show – they just want to hear what you have to say, plain and simple.

How to master verbal communication:

• Get straight to the point; avoid unnecessary preamble.
• Eliminate filler words that dilute your message.
• Use language that anyone, regardless of expertise, can understand.
• If you must use technical terms, provide simple explanations.
• Ground your ideas in real-life situations.
• Stories and examples make your content relatable and memorable.

2. Show Your Leadership

Have you ever been in a room where someone walks in, and you just know they’re in charge? That’s the power of leadership in public speaking. Establish your presence. Confidence is your ally; speak with conviction, maintain eye contact, and let your body language scream: “I got this!” When your audience sees you as the captain of the ship, they’ll willingly follow your lead.

How to show your leadership:

• Enter the room with confidence and purpose.
• Project an aura of authority through your demeanor.
• Speak with conviction and assurance in your voice.
• Believe in your message, and your audience will, too.
• Stand tall, use purposeful gestures, and avoid nervous tics.

3. Using Storytelling to Your Advantage

Let’s face it: nobody remembers a presentation that’s dryer than last week’s leftover pizza. Spice it up with storytelling. Whether it’s a personal anecdote or a gripping case study, hook your audience from the start.

Make them care about your message by weaving it into a story. It’s the difference between a monologue and a memorable experience.

You can also try common storytelling techniques, like in the example from SimilarWeb below:

How to use storytelling to your advantage:

• Engage your audience emotionally by connecting facts and concepts to relatable narratives.
• Begin with a captivating story to grab immediate attention.
• Weave your message into a story that resonates with your audience.

4. Understanding Yourself Is a Critical Presentation Skill

Before you can lead others, you’ve got to lead yourself. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Embrace what you’re good at, and be honest about where you can improve. Confidence comes from self-awareness, not perfection. Lead with your strengths, and your authenticity will do more for you than a rehearsed facade ever could.

How to understand yourself for presentations:

• Identify your strengths and leverage them in your presentation.
• Acknowledge areas for improvement without fear.
• Authenticity is more compelling than perfection; let your audience see the real you.
• Lead with honesty, and your audience will connect with your genuine approach.

5. Your Presentation Delivery Matters

Presenting isn’t just about what you say; it’s how you say it. Use body language to punctuate your points – it’s the exclamation mark to your words. Pauses are not awkward silences but spaces where your audience absorbs and appreciates your message. Your delivery is critical to connecting and resonating with your audience.

How to improve your delivery:

• Practice your presentation so it sounds more natural and fluent.
• Be aware of your body language and tone.
• Avoid fillers like “um” and “uh.”
• Speak with confidence and authority.

6. The Art of Persuasion Is a Presentation Skill, Too!

Think of your presentation as a friendly sales pitch – and you’re selling ideas instead of products. That’s where the art of persuasion comes into play. Clearly outline the benefits, address concerns upfront, and sprinkle in some compelling evidence. Leave your audience nodding their heads, thinking, “I’m in!”

How to be more persuasive:

• Start with a compelling hook to grab your audience’s attention.
• Clearly articulate the benefits of your ideas in simple language.
• Anticipate objections and address them during your presentation.
• Incorporate real-life examples and data to support your points.

7. Active Listening

Sure, you’re the one doing the talking, but that doesn’t mean your audience can’t get in on the action. In fact, the best presentations are a two-way street. Active listening is your backstage pass to audience participation. Respond to questions, gauge reactions, and adjust your tone accordingly. Remember, it’s only about being heard but also hearing your audience.

How to practice active listening when presenting:

• Encourage questions, comments, and interaction.
• Observe your audience’s body language and facial expressions.
• Be flexible with your tone based on audience engagement.
• Actively listen to questions and respond thoughtfully.

8. Develop Networking Skills

Conference speaking is like a professional mixer with a microphone. Before you hit the stage, work the room. Learn about your audience, their interests, and their pain points. Then, weave those insights into your talk. 

How to use networking with your presentations:

• Engage with attendees before your presentation begins.
• Discover the interests and pain points of your audience.
• Make yourself available for further conversation after your talk.

9. Manage Your Time and Keep Things Organized

The last thing you want is for your audience to feel like they’re on a mental rollercoaster. Organize your thoughts in a logical flow, creating a journey for your audience. Time management is your co-pilot; stick to it like glue. Practice your presentation to know how long each section will be, and trim off any fat if things go too long. And leave time for you to interact with the audience. 

How to improve your presentation organization skills:

• Structure your presentation logically.
• Rehearse to gauge time for each section.
• Remove unnecessary content to stay within time limits.
• Plan for interactive segments during your presentation.

10. Utilizing Visual Elements in Your Presentations

Your slides are there to support, not steal the show. Keep them brief, clear, and visually striking. Ditch paragraphs and bullet points for videos and gifs, and let visuals speak volumes. Your audience should be able to glance at a slide and instantly grasp the message. 

• Replace text-heavy slides with visuals, videos, and gifs.
• Make your slides easy to understand at a glance.
• Use visuals to add dynamic elements to your presentation.

11. Managing Your Emotions During a Presentation

Getting on stage and speaking in front of a room of people isn’t anything to be scoffed at. In fact, around three out of four people might break a sweat at the mere thought of it. But here’s the deal – embrace the nerves. They’re the butterflies that remind you it matters. Manage your emotions like a rockstar, especially when the unexpected happens. Handling rejection, like a heckler in the crowd, is just part of the gig. Keep your cool, stay focused, and you’ll own the room.

How to manage your emotions when presenting:

• Understand that feeling nervous is natural.
• Channel nerves into enthusiasm and energy.
• Concentrate on your message to maintain composure.
• Realize that surprises may happen.

12. Be a Problem Solver

A great presentation provides a solution to the audience, even if they don’t immediately realize it. Identify the problems your audience faces and present your content as the remedy. Be ready to engage in problem-solving on the spot. Whether it’s answering tough questions or tackling issues in real time, providing real solutions will make your presentation unforgettable.

How to be a problem solver:

• Identify the problems your audience might be facing.
• Prepare for the tough questions ahead of time.
• Be ready to tackle problems as they arise during the presentation, whether they are tech issues or unruly participants.
• Ensure that your content directly addresses the audience’s concerns.

13. Learn to Research and Come Prepared

A presentation without solid facts lacks substance. Conduct thorough research to parse out statistics, facts, examples, and stories that bolster your message. Being armed with well-researched info not only makes you more credible but also shows your audience that you mean business.

And this goes beyond your subject matter. Also, research your audience to understand the best way to resonate with them. Are they industry experts? What is the average age range? Speaking to Gen Z requires a different approach than speaking to Boomers.

How to research and be prepared for your presentation:

• Primary and reliable sources for your stats and facts.
• Provide real-world examples that support your message.
• Adapt your presentation style to resonate with the specific audience characteristics.

14. Flex Your Funny Bone

You don’t need a stand-up routine, but a dash of humor can turn a good presentation into a memorable one. It’s like seasoning – a pinch is often enough, and too much ruins the dish. Relatable anecdotes, witty remarks, or a well-timed joke can break the ice and keep your audience on their toes. Remember, it’s a presentation, not a eulogy – see, that’s a joke.

How to add humor to your presentation:

• Use puns or inside jokes that resonate with your audience.
• Err on the side of caution – if you think it might offend someone, leave the joke out.
• Place jokes strategically for maximum impact.

15. Connecting with Eye Contact

When you’re chatting with a friend, you look them in the eye, right? The same goes for your audience. Connect and engage by making eye contact. It’s not a staring contest, so pick friendly faces from the left, center, and right. Hold that gaze for 5-10 seconds, then shift. It’s a simple gesture to make your audience feel seen and heard.

How to properly make eye contact:

• Don’t single out an individual and only focus on them.
• Walk around the stage, moving your eyes from one side to the other.
• When making impactful points, don’t be afraid to hold your gaze.

16. Know Your Stuff Inside Out

The best presenters don’t read off scripts or stand there reading their slide bullet points. You need to memorize your presentation inside out – every word, every pause, every gesture. As an added bonus, it helps you with time management and organization, like I mentioned above. And it will give you that boost of confidence that comes from knowing what you’re talking about and not simply guessing.

How to memorize your presentations:

• Practice your presentation weeks in advance.
• Use your slides as “reminders” to guide the presentation.
• If you can, record your speech and listen to it regularly.

17. Use Breathing Techniques

Before you step into the spotlight, take a moment to breathe. Learn a breathing technique to calm those pre-presentation jitters. Slow, deliberate breaths can lower anxiety and bring a sense of calm. And it helps ground you in the moment so when you step on the stage, you’re ready to wow your audience.

Effective breathing techniques:

• Take slow, deep breaths through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and exhale through your mouth.
• Focus on your body during this time.
• While on stage, take gentle breaths between pauses.

18. Using Repetition to Hammer Ideas Home

Ever had a catchy tune stuck in your head after hearing it a few times? Repetition works in presentations the same way. Repeat your core ideas throughout your talk. Of course, you don’t want to come off as annoying or treating people like they’re unintelligent. But by repeating the main points of your presentation, you can ensure that people at least leave with the important parts. 

How to use repetition to enhance your presentation:

• Strategically place your core idea throughout the presentation.
• It doesn’t need to be verbal – include multiple slides that re-iterate the idea.
• Engage the audience and ask them questions to make them think about the main points.

19. Speaking Loudly and Clearly

The last thing you want to do when presenting is sound like there’s a spoonful of peanut butter in your mouth. Speak loudly and clearly, enunciating your words with precision. You not only want to be heard, but you want to be understood. Articulate each syllable, speak in a natural cadence, and take the necessary pauses to let your message sink in. A clear voice cuts through the noise and commands attention.

How to speak loudly and clearly:

• Project your voice from your chest.
• Open your mouth wide when speaking.
• Slow things down and clearly communicate each word.

20. Being a Show(wo)man

Welcome to the era of short attention spans and viral videos. To keep your audience hooked, channel your inner show(wo)man. You don’t need to juggle fire (unless that’s your thing) but about infusing your presentation with elements that grab attention – games, visuals, questions, and stories.

Make it a performance, not a lecture.

But again, don’t overdo it – the goal is to educate AND entertain. The two need to work in harmony.

How to be a true show(wo)man:

• Be animated with your speech – move around, use hand gestures, etc.
• Use props and other assets to get your point across.
• Whether it’s a suit or casual wear, dress for the part.
• Encourage the audience to participate with you, e.g., call and response.

4 Best Practices and Tips to Supercharge Your Presentations

While these 20 skills are a must-have for taking your presentations to the next level, here are a few best practices that you can use in combination with them.

Practice Makes Perfect

You want to rehearse your presentation like you’re preparing for a concert. The more you run through it, the smoother it gets. It’s not about memorizing every word but being more familiar with the structure. Once you have the structure down packed, you make adjustments on the fly and go through your presentations with confidence.

Use Metaphors, Similes, and Rhetorical Questions

Remember in school when you learned about literary techniques like metaphors and similes? Well, it’s time for them to shine. They add vibrancy to your speech, and when done right, they can provide the audience with thought-provoking insights. And hey, don’t forget to throw in some rhetorical questions. They’re good because they engage the audience while still keeping you in control. 

Avoid Passive Voice

Passive language like “The throne was being desired by Jon Snow” makes your speech more wordy and confusing than it needs to be. Instead, use an active voice like “Jon Snow desired the throne” to make your message more direct and concise. Sure, you want to sound more authoritative and confident, but a passive voice does the opposite. Keep things straight to the point and use the least amount of words possible. 

Join Public Speaking Groups

You know what they say, “It takes a village to raise a child.” The same goes for improving your presentation game. Join public speaking groups – online or in your neighborhood – and soak in the wisdom. Not only do you get to flex your public speaking muscle, but you also get invaluable feedback from others looking to do the same.

Bonus: Use Tools to Spice up Your Presentations

Ready to elevate your presentations? With seamless integration of multimedia elements, SlideDog transforms your presentations into dynamic and captivating experiences. Elevate your storytelling, engage your audience, and leave a lasting impression. 

It’s time to step into the spotlight with confidence – let SlideDog be your guide to presentation excellence.

Your slides will thank you, and your audience will too. 

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Thank you for sharing these invaluable tips on mastering presentations! Building upon the discussion of presentation tools, I’d like to highlight the importance of incorporating interactive elements to truly captivate audiences. Platforms like https://mentimeter.com https://kahoot.it https://slido.com https://polleverywhere.com https://letsattend.io offer dynamic features such as polls, quizzes, and live Q&A sessions, enriching presentations and getting meaningful engagement. Integrating these audience-engaging tools can elevate the overall impact of a presentation, making it more memorable and interactive for everyone involved.

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15 Essential Presentation Techniques for Winning Over Any Audience

• The Speaker Lab
• April 13, 2024

Table of Contents

Ever found yourself standing before an audience, your heart racing? That’s the moment when knowing effective presentation techniques can prove to be your unwavering ally. But what are presentation techniques? And what makes them so powerful? In this article, we’re going to answer those questions.

Before we can talk about presentation techniques, though, we first have to talk about good communication. The power of effective communication isn’t just in what you say. It’s how you say it; it’s in those deep breaths that steady nerves, and in maintaining eye contact. It’s about turning a room full of strangers into an engaged audience hanging onto your every word. When it comes to public speaking, real success comes from mastering non-verbal cues to punctuate our words and using visual aids not as crutches but as tools for engagement.

As you hone your communication skills, you will begin to form effective presentation techniques. Expect rough patches as you get the hang of things, but view them as mere footholds propelling you towards your ultimate triumph. Keep pushing forward.

Mastering Presentation Techniques for Impactful Delivery

Presentation techniques are more than just standing in front of a crowd and talking. They’re about making connections, telling stories that resonate, and leaving your audience with something to remember you by.

Elements of an Effective Presentation

For your presentation to resonate, ensure the visuals are straightforward and supportive, rather than distracting. Your message should be concise yet powerful enough to stick. And let’s not forget engagement; keeping your audience on their toes is key.

• Visuals: Keep them simple but impactful.
• Message: Make every word count.
• Engagement: Interact with your audience, ask questions, make them think.

We’ve all seen those slides crammed with text or charts. When you make your slides, don’t cram information, because nobody wants to squint at tiny fonts or decipher complex graphs while trying to listen to you speak. This resource suggests focusing on clarity and simplicity when designing slides—advice worth taking.

Strategies for Delivering a Successful Presentation

To deliver a knockout presentation, start strong. Grab attention from the get-go with an intriguing fact or story related directly back into the topic at hand. Maintain eye contact across the room so everyone feels included in the conversation. Finally, end on a memorable note, either with a call to action or insight gained during the time together. Leave them wanting more information and eager to learn about the subject matter discussed today.

• The opener: Hook your audience with a relevant fact or anecdote.
• Maintain connection: Eyes up, engage everyone around.
• Closing remarks : Last chance for impact–what’s your mic drop?

As author Lilly Walters once said, “The success of your presentation will be judged not by the knowledge you send but by what the listener receives.” This quote reminds us that the true goal of any speech is the understanding achieved between the speaker and the listeners.

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Engaging Your Audience with Nonverbal Communication

As the name implies, nonverbal communication denotes all of the ways you communicate without using words. This includes eye contact, body language, and facial expressions. Although nonverbal communication might not be the first presentation technique that comes to mind, it’s nevertheless a very powerful tool to have in your arsenal. Let’s take a look.

The Power of Eye Contact, Body Language, and Facial Expressions

Making eye contact isn’t just about looking someone in the eye; it’s about forging a connection. Aim for brief moments of eye contact across different sections of your audience throughout your presentation. Establishing fleeting eye connections across diverse audience segments fosters a sense of trust and keeps them hooked, all while ensuring no one feels on edge.

Body language is similarly important. Stand tall with good posture; it exudes confidence even when you feel nervous. As you grow more confident, mix up standing still with moving around subtly. This dynamic shift holds attention better than being rooted to one spot or nervous pacing. Use your hands to gesture naturally as you speak—it adds emphasis and keeps things lively.

If there’s one thing people can spot from miles away, it’s insincerity. So let those facial expressions match your words. Smile when you share something amusing, and furrow your brow when diving into serious stuff. After all, it’s not just what you say but how visually engaged and passionate you appear while saying it that counts.

Tying these elements together helps you deliver impactful, memorable talks. When done right, folks will leave feeling more connected, understood, and fired up by your presentation, all thanks to your techniques.

Designing Compelling Presentation Materials

Knowing how to design engaging presentation materials is one technique you can’t do without. Far from mere embellishments, these implements are crafted to hammer your message home. Hence, it’s vital to select these aids with great care and discernment.

Tips for Creating Effective Slides

When it comes to crafting slides, think of each as a billboard advertisement for your idea. You want it clear, impactful, and memorable.

• Keep it simple : One idea per slide keeps confusion at bay and attention locked in.
• Use bullet points : Break down your points so your audience can track.
• Pick a font size : Generally speaking, bigger is better.
• Use color : Harness colors that pop without blinding anyone; contrast is key.
• Use images with purpose : A good picture or chart can help illustrate your point, but keep it relevant and don’t overdo it.

With a few helpful visuals, your presentation can go from good to great. For more on creating slides, check out this link here .

Handling Questions and Interactions Professionally

For some speakers, it’s not the presentation itself that makes them nervous—it’s the Q&A session that follows. This is the moment where you get to shine or stumble based on how well you handle those curveballs from your audience. If you want to round off your presentation well, you’re going to want to learn a few techniques for fielding these questions. Let’s look at a few ways of doing this.

Preparing for Audience Questions and How to Address Them Effectively

Below are six techniques that will help you address audience questions effectively.

• Listen Up : The first rule of thumb is to listen like it’s a superpower. When someone throws a question at you, don’t just hear them out—really listen. Demonstrating this level of attentiveness not only conveys your respect but also affords you a brief moment to collect your ideas.
• Stay Calm : You’ve got this. Even if a question catches you off guard, take a deep breath before diving into your answer. No one expects perfection, but showing confidence matters.
• Practice Beforehand : Before presentation day arrives, think about potential questions folks might ask and prep some responses in advance. Practice makes perfect, after all.
• Vary Your Techniques : Not every question needs an essay as an answer; sometimes short and sweet does the trick. Mix up how detailed or brief your answers are depending on what’s asked.
• Show You Care : If you ever get a question that leaves you stumped, say so honestly—but add that magical line: “Let me find out more and I’ll get back to you.” Then actually do it.
• Appreciate Audience Curiosity : Remember that the reason you audience is asking questions is because they’re interested. So no matter what questions you get, keep engaging with enthusiasm.

Go forth with confidence, knowing not only can these moments boost credibility—they make connections too. So next time when facing down those queries remember to listen hard, stay calm & always engage warmly. With these techniques under your belt, answering audience questions after your presentation will feel much less daunting.

Techniques for a Memorable and Effective Presentation

No matter what topic you cover in your presentation, you can easily add in a story, and more likely than not you can add a little humor too. Together, these two presentation techniques are perfect for making your speech memorable.

Incorporating Storytelling into Your Presentation

One great technique for making your presentation stick is telling stories. Stories have the power to touch people profoundly, especially when they depict relatable experiences. So, when you’re up there presenting, kick things off with a story that ties into your main message. It could be personal, something from history, or even an anecdote that gets your point across. Stories are not just fluff; they’re the glue of your presentation. They make complex ideas digestible and memorable.

Using Humor to Connect with the Audience

Another great way of engaging your audience is by using humor. But here’s the deal—use humor wisely. Keep it tasteful and tied closely to the content at hand so it enhances rather than detracts from your message.

• Pick universal themes everyone can relate to.
• Avoid anything potentially offensive.
• Tie jokes back to your key points to make them relevant.

If humor isn’t your thing, or you’re worried about your comedic timing, it’s perfectly okay to skip the jokes. Especially if you’re new to public speaking, humor can be hard to nail immediately. But as you grow and hone your presentation techniques, consider stretching yourself a bit. By starting small, you can practice using humor to connect with your audience. That is your goal, after all—to leave a positive, memorable impression on your audience.

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Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety

For some speakers, stepping in front of a crowd to speak causes immediate anxiety. But fear not! Conquering public speaking anxiety is entirely within your grasp.

Techniques to Manage Stage Fright and Boost Confidence

First off, feeling nervous before taking the stage is completely normal. Even Mark Twain admitted, “There are two types of speakers. Those who get nervous and those who are liars.” So take that flutter in your stomach as a sign you care deeply about delivering value to your audience. In addition, consider the following tips as you prepare to hit the stage.

• Breathe Deep: Before stepping up, take some deep breaths. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Feel every muscle relax with each exhale.
• Mind Over Matter: Visualization is key. Picture yourself nailing that presentation, because if you can see it, you can achieve it.
• Keep It Simple: Stick to what you know best; this isn’t the time for surprises or untested waters.
• Pace Yourself: Speak slowly but surely—there’s no rush here.

Believe it or not, acting relaxed often leads to actually being relaxed. Remember when we said mind over matter? Well, it applies here big time. The power pose backstage might just be what turns those nerves into excitement.

So next time you feel stage fright coming on, fight back with these techniques. With these tricks up your sleeve, you’re more than ready. So go ahead, breathe deep, and step onto that stage. You’ve got this.

Using Different Presentation Methods to Engage Your Audience

While learning styles is “ little more than urban myth ,” presenting your material in a variety of ways is a great technique for engaging your audience. By switching it up, you increase your chances of explaining something in a way that clicks with individual audience members. This is especially helpful for more complex topics that might be hard to grasp.

There are three main ways of presenting your material to your audience: through visuals, audio, and hands-on activities.

• Visuals: Use slides packed with images, graphs, and bullet points.
• Audio: Tell stories, play audio clips or engage in discussions.
• Hands-on Activities: Include activities or demonstrations that allow audience members to participate physically.

Making sure everyone gets something from your presentation means considering these techniques when planning content. Not only can incorporating various methods increase audience engagement, but it can also elevate your presentation from decent to memorable.

Essential Tips for First-Time Presenters

Stepping onto the stage or logging into that webinar platform as a first-time presenter can feel nerve-wracking. But fear not! With these tips on how to dress appropriately, arrive early, and make your presentation shine, you’ll be ready to confidently nail that presentation.

Dress Appropriately

Your outfit is your armor. Choose something professional yet comfortable. Whether it’s in-person or online, dressing one notch above what you expect your audience to wear usually hits the sweet spot. Aim for solid colors that won’t distract your audience.

Arriving Early

If possible, arrive at the venue before your audience does. This gives you time to settle in, test any tech gear like microphones or projectors, and take those deep breaths. This extra time also lets you chat with early birds. By connecting with people before taking center stage, you can ease nerves significantly.

Making Presentation Time Count

You only have the audience’s attention for so long. Keep an eye on the clock as you present, but avoid rushing through content. It especially helps to pause after key points, letting information sink in. Your end goal? Leave you’re audience wanting more. You’ll know if you succeeded based on the number of questions you get during the Q&A.

So there you have it—the techniques you need to deliver an engaging presentation. By honing nonverbal communication, like eye contact and posture, you can captivate your audience with your energy. And visual aids? They’re not just ornamental; they help bolster your point and drive it home.

We also learned that tackling audience questions is not an art reserved for the eloquent few but a skill sharpened by preparation and presence. While it takes a little work to nail good storytelling and well-timed humor, the ultimate outcome is worth it.

So while standing before an audience may set your heart racing, know that arming yourself with knowledge and technique can transform not just your presentation, but you yourself. So don’t be afraid to try your hand at these skills; in doing so, you build your own confidence and become a better speaker in the process.

• Last Updated: April 11, 2024

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Tips for Being an Active Listener for Presenters and Audiences

8 Effective Ways to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

How to write a problem statement slide, how to write the perfect titles for your slides, pro tips to create an impactful employee induction presentation.

Have you ever felt like people were not listening to you? It is indeed a frustrating experience. But have you ever flipped the script and considered how you listen to others? Do you simply hear them or actively listen to their experience? 

Well, let us understand the difference – when you listen actively, you not only hear the words being spoken but also pay attention to the tone, body language, and emotions behind them. Doing this improves your communication skills, cultivates empathy, and strengthens relationships. When genuinely listening to someone, you create a safe space for them to express themselves and feel heard. 

Active listening is a skill that can change the way you talk. It opens up new perspectives and insights that you may not have considered before. You get a deeper understanding of different viewpoints, which can be extremely helpful in personal and professional settings. 

Whether you are a presenter or a part of the audience, active listening is vital to ensure a transformative presentation experience. In this article, we will delve into the following-

Active Listening Tips for the Audience

Active listening tips for the presenter.

So, let’s get going.

1. Focus with Complete Attention

When someone presents to you, set aside distractions and focus entirely on what they are saying. It means putting away your phone, turning off any gadgets, and making eye contact to show you are fully engaged in the conversation. Giving your undivided attention demonstrates respect and lets you pick up on subtle cues and nuances in the speaker’s message.

For instance, imagine sitting for a project review presentation. Instead of glancing at your phone or checking your watch, maintain eye contact and nod occasionally to show that you are fully present and engaged in what your colleagues say.

2. Harness the Power of Empathy 

Empathy stands as a cornerstone of effective communication, transcending mere auditory perception. It encapsulates the profound ability not only to discern but also to validate the emotional state of the speaker. 

By reflecting on the speaker’s narrative and acknowledging the depth of their emotions, you can demonstrate a genuine commitment to the conversation. This validation creates a nurturing environment wherein presenters feel empowered to authenticate their thoughts.

3. Show Interest by Asking Wise Questions

The art of questioning is a beacon of attentive listening and genuine curiosity. By actively engaging with questions, one communicates a sincere interest in delving deeper into the subject. This approach safeguards the speaker against potential misinterpretations.

For example, while attending a presentation on climate change , ask profound and thought-provoking questions such as causes, implications, effects of climate change, etc. It can help showcase your interest and establish a rapport with the presenter.

4. Refrain from Interrupting 

Before you jump in to interrupt somebody mid-sentence, remember to hold your horses and wait for the speaker to finish their thoughts. 

Interrupting can obstruct the flow of the presentation and make the presenter feel unheard and disrespected. When you take the time to listen and show respect for the speaker’s perspective, it allows for a more constructive exchange of ideas. So, take a deep breath the next time you feel like interrupting, and let the speaker finish before jumping in. It can make all the difference!

5. Embrace Conversations Open-Mindedly

When approaching a conversation, it is essential to keep an open mind and to be willing to consider different viewpoints. Active listening is a critical skill in this regard, and it involves suspending judgment and being receptive to better ideas and perspectives, even if they differ from yours.

It is essential to be respectful in your responses. Even if you disagree with what the other person is saying, you must handle the conversation with curiosity and openness rather than being defensive or hostile.

1. Incorporate Non-Verbal Cues

When presenting to others, your body language communicates more than your words. Nonverbal cues such as smiling, nodding, and maintaining an open posture signal you are actively listening. These gestures inspire the audience members to continue sharing their thoughts and feelings, creating a more open and comfortable environment for communication. 

For example, suppose an audience member begins to share his viewpoint. Here, nodding can show that you are paying attention to what he is saying and understand his perspective. It can also be a way to show agreement or support. Smiling can convey a sense of warmth and openness, making him feel more comfortable and at ease.

2. Read Self-Help Books

Diving into self-help books can unlock a wealth of insights for enhancing communication skills, especially active listening.

Immersing yourself in such literature opens the door to many strategies and perspectives. These resources offer practical techniques and inspire a deeper understanding of human dynamics. With this knowledge, you can refine your skills as a communicator.

3. Guard Against Distractions with Mindfulness 

Maintaining a state of present-mindedness is paramount during your presentation, as it cultivates an atmosphere of attentiveness and professionalism. Guard against distractions and external thoughts that may detract from your focus. 

Employ mindfulness techniques like deep breathing or grounding exercises to anchor yourself in the moment, enhancing your ability to listen with clarity and precision. By remaining centered, you ensure the quality of your delivery and heighten your listening sensitivity to the responses and reactions of your audience. 

4. Record, Reflect, and Refine Your Skills

Refine your presentation by recording yourself and thoroughly reviewing the footage. Scrutinize the recording discerningly, focusing on instances you missed listening to the audience.

Identify areas for improvement, noting any instances of distraction or missed cues. This meticulous analysis is a valuable tool for honing your active listening skills and enhancing your ability to connect effectively with your audience.

For example, during your presentation, you opened the floor to questions. You may have felt that you answered everybody quite nicely. However, upon reviewing the recording, you noticed that some questions were left unattended, and a few were misunderstood. 

Thus, with this realization, you can understand the gaps where you need to work more the next time.

Incorporating active listening strategies into your interactions is genuinely a game-changer. It enables you to strengthen bonds, deepen understanding, and cultivate trust.

So, seize the opportunity to elevate your connection with others the next time you engage in a conversation. Embrace active listening, and watch as your relationships flourish like never before.

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How to be an effective presenter through better listening.

Presenting is one of those life skills that’ll benefit you no matter where you go, from the classroom to the boardroom. Although it can often be nerve-wracking, presenting is a skill that should be honed to be part of your arsenal – you’ll never know where it will be useful!

It may seem counter-intuitive, but often the true nature of being a good presenter isn’t in what they say, but in how they actively listen. What happens when a presenter isn’t talking? With insights from seasoned professionals and psychologists, we’re exploring how good listening skills can and will help you become a better presenter.

Listen to Your Body Language

Content is important to any presentation. However, when it comes to being an effective presenter, what’s unsaid is just as important as what is said. In other words, your body language is front and centre of conveying your message well . For example, could your folded arms counter the warm tone you’re aiming to achieve?

Research shows that when it comes to presenting, tone and non-verbal behaviour have the biggest effect on the impact of your message : body language accounts for up to 55% of a message’s impact, while tone of voice accounts for 38%, and the words you say account for a mere 7%. In other words, it’s not just what you say. It’s how you say it.

Part of being a good presenter involves actively ‘listening’ to your body, and being aware of what message your body language is conveying. When you’re up on stage, whether practising for a presentation or in the midst of one, consider how you:

• Keep your body language open. Avoid crossed arms and legs, touching and fidgeting with your hands, or standing still. Planning your hand gestures ahead of time will help you to avoid fidgeting. Practice to ensure you’re using open handed, upward facing palms – rather than pointing fingers, which can come across as aggressive.
• Make eye contact. Avoiding eye contact altogether is a big temptation, and a big mistake. According to Psychology Today , “people who seek eye contact while speaking are regarded not only as exceptionally well-disposed by their targets, but also as more believable and earnest.” Take care to make eye contact with a few individuals in your audience, particularly those who appear in agreement with you. You can also pivot your body to face their direction.
• Assume a tall posture with your shoulders back to exude confidence. Create a presence on your stage. Simple tips, including standing in the centre, assuming a tall posture, pulling your shoulders back, and using the space given to you to move around in, all make an enormous difference.  “ Remember that status and authority are non-verbally demonstrated through height and space. So stand tall, pull your shoulders back, widen your stance, and hold your head high.”

Whatever the topic of your presentation, you want to build trust, and exude confidence. Dr Carol Kinsey Goman cites several ways of doing just that:

“In situations where you want to maximize your authority—minimize your movements. Take a deep breath, bring your gestures down to waist level, and pause before making a key point. When you appear calm and contained, you look more powerful.”

Social psychologist Amy Cuddy’s TED talk on power poses and using body language to shape yourself remains an iconic video for presenters the world over. At the end of the day, the incredible thing about body language is that it doesn’t simply affect your audience – it can affect and change you too.

Listen to the audience

One of the skills of a good presenter is their ability to read the audience, and to adapt their communication style to the people they are presenting to.

For many of us, nerves can cause us to want to simply barrel through our content and finish the presentation as quickly as possible – but when you stop and actively listen to your audience’s reactions, you can gauge their engagement to your content, and adapt yourself accordingly.

Your content doesn’t have to be rigid; in fact, the best presenters quickly read the room and adjust their humour, key points, body language, and speaking speed to match. For example, you could slow down your pace to emphasise a certain point, or nod in affirmation when you notice audience members showing agreement. You could even widen your stance when you’re laying down authoritative advice and information – notice how your audience agrees with you, or otherwise. In other words: give a little content, hear a lot in the audience’s reactions, and use this information to finish strong.

Listen to get feedback

Active listening goes beyond simply listening to your audience during your presentation. As with anything, it’s important to reflect on your presentation afterwards, and seek feedback.

A popular theory put forward by Malcolm Gladwell suggests you need 10,000 hours of practice to master a skill. While 10,000 hours of presenting is perhaps a lofty (and daunting) goal, it’s important to practice, listen to feedback afterwards to improve, and then practice more with this feedback in mind.

Ask a trusted friend or colleague to take notes on your presentation, delivery skills, and the audience’s reactions, noting down any constructive criticism as well as positives. Immediately after the presentation, catch up for a coffee and debrief – this way the presentation is still fresh in your mind and you can apply your learnings next time. You may even choose to record practice runs of your presentation, before the big day, and review your efforts ahead of time. This opportunity to rehearse without any watching eyes will help you identify your habits, both good and bad.

Listen to learn

We all know the importance of active listening in leadership , but this extends past boardroom meetings and HR. In fact, one of the best ways to become a better presenter is to listen and learn your audience’s position on your subject matter before you prepare your content.

Are they ambivalent? Do they have a passionate opinion for or against the subject? Do you already have rapport with them, or will you have to establish this straight away? All of these questions can help you tailor your content to meet your audience’s needs, expectations, and viewpoints.

Whether you’re pitching to a room of investors, or convincing a group of undecided stakeholders, your understanding of their goals and pain points often determines your success.

Over to you…

Whatever your purpose for presenting, whether sales pitch or internal company meeting, the best presenters focus on listening first and speaking second. Unfortunately:

“A lot of people believe that selling requires being a fast talker, or knowing how to use charisma to persuade… In sales there’s a truism that ‘we have two ears and one mouth and we should use them proportionately’.” — Jon Berghoff, ‘ Quiet ’ by Susan Cain

Presenting can be challenging, but, in the end, the old adage is true: practice makes perfect. Practice active listening before, during, and after your presentations, and before you know it, presenting will be a powerful tool in your business arsenal. What are your essential tips for becoming a better listener, to become a better presenter?

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Jock Fairweather

Latest posts by jock fairweather ( see all ).

• How to Be an Effective Presenter Through Better Listening - 28th November 2017

Janice Haywood

29th November 2017 at 9:48 am

Nice insights into the topic of listening – most articles about presenting naturally focus on speaking.

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The Importance of Presentation Skills: That You Must Know About

Uncover The Importance of Presentation Skills in this comprehensive blog. Begin with a brief introduction to the art of effective presentations and its wide-reaching significance. Delve into the vital role of presentation skills in both your personal and professional life, understanding how they can shape your success.

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Table of Contents  

1) A brief introduction to Presentation Skills 

2) Importance of Presentation Skills in personal life 

3) Importance of Presentation Skills in professional life 

4) Tips to improve your Presentation Skills 

5) Conclusion 

A brief introduction to Presentation Skills  

Presentation skills can be defined as the ability to deliver information confidently and persuasively to engage and influence the audience. Be it in personal or professional settings; mastering Presentation Skills empowers individuals to convey their ideas with clarity, build confidence, and leave a lasting impression. From public speaking to business pitches, honing these skills can lead to greater success in diverse spheres of life.  You can also refer to various presentation skills interview questions and answer to build you confidence! This blog will also look into the advantages and disadvantages of presentations .It is therefore important to understand the elements of presentations .

Importance of Presentation Skills in personal life  

Effective Presentation skills are not limited to professional settings alone; they play a significant role in personal life as well. Let us now dive deeper into the Importance of Presentation Skills in one’s personal life:    

Expressing ideas clearly   

In day-to-day conversations with family, friends, or acquaintances, having good Presentation skills enables you to articulate your thoughts and ideas clearly. Whether you're discussing plans for the weekend or sharing your opinions on a particular topic, being an effective communicator encourages better understanding and engagement. 

Enhancing social confidence  

Many individuals struggle with social anxiety or nervousness in social gatherings. Mastering Presentation skills helps boost self-confidence, making it easier to navigate social situations with ease. The ability to present yourself confidently and engage others in conversation enhances your social life and opens doors to new relationships. 

Creating memories on special occasions  

There are moments in life that call for public speaking, such as proposing a toast at a wedding, delivering a speech at a family gathering, or giving a Presentation during special events. Having polished Presentation skills enables you to leave a positive and lasting impression on the audience, making these occasions even more memorable. 

Handling challenging conversations  

Life often presents challenging situations that require delicate communication, such as expressing condolences or resolving conflicts. Strong Presentation skills help you convey your feelings and thoughts sensitively, encouraging effective and empathetic communication during difficult times. 

Building stronger relationships  

Being a skilled presenter means being a good listener as well. Active listening is a fundamental aspect of effective Presentations, and when applied in personal relationships, it strengthens bonds and builds trust. Empathising with others and showing genuine interest in their stories and opinions enhances the quality of your relationships. 

Advocating for personal goals  

Whether you're pursuing personal projects or seeking support for a cause you're passionate about, the ability to present your ideas persuasively helps garner support and enthusiasm from others. This can be beneficial in achieving personal goals and making a positive impact on your community. 

Inspiring and motivating others  

In one’s personal life, Presentation skills are not just about delivering formal speeches; they also involve inspiring and motivating others through your actions and words. Whether you're sharing your experiences, mentoring someone, or encouraging loved ones during tough times, your Presentation skills can be a source of inspiration for others. 

Exuding leadership traits  

Effective Presentation skills go hand in hand with leadership qualities. Being able to communicate clearly and influence others' perspectives positions you as a leader within your family, social circles, or community. Leadership in personal life involves guiding and supporting others towards positive outcomes. 

Unlock your full potential as a presenter with our Presentation Skills Training Course. Join now!  

Importance of Presentation Skills in professional life  

Effective Presentation skills are a vital asset for career growth and success in professional life. Let us now explore the importance of Presentation skills for students and workers:  

Impressing employers and clients  

During job interviews or business meetings, a well-delivered Presentation showcases your knowledge, confidence, and ability to communicate ideas effectively. It impresses employers, clients, and potential investors, leaving a positive and memorable impression that can tilt the scales in your favour. 

Advancing in your career  

In the corporate world, promotions and career advancements often involve presenting your achievements, ideas, and future plans to decision-makers. Strong Presentation skills demonstrate your leadership potential and readiness for higher responsibilities, opening doors to new opportunities. 

Effective team collaboration  

As a professional, you often need to present projects, strategies, or updates to your team or colleagues. A compelling Presentation facilitates better understanding and association among team members, leading to more productive and successful projects. 

Persuasive selling techniques  

For sales and marketing professionals, Presentation skills are instrumental in persuading potential customers to choose your products or services. An engaging sales pitch can sway buying decisions, leading to increased revenue and business growth. 

Creating impactful proposals  

In the corporate world, proposals are crucial for securing new partnerships or business deals. A well-structured and compelling Presentation can make your proposal stand out and increase the chances of successful negotiations. 

Gaining and retaining clients  

Whether you are a freelancer, consultant, or business owner, Presentation skills play a key role in winning and retaining clients. A captivating Presentation not only convinces clients of your capabilities but also builds trust and promotes long-term relationships. 

Enhancing public speaking engagements  

Professional life often involves speaking at conferences, seminars, or industry events. Being a confident and engaging speaker allows you to deliver your message effectively, position yourself as an expert, and expand your professional network. 

Influencing stakeholders and decision-makers  

As you climb the corporate ladder, you may find yourself presenting to senior management or board members. Effective Presentations are essential for gaining support for your ideas, projects, or initiatives from key stakeholders. 

Handling meetings and discussions  

In meetings, being able to present your thoughts clearly and concisely contributes to productive discussions and efficient decision-making. It ensures that your ideas are understood and considered by colleagues and superiors. 

Professional development  

Investing time in honing Presentation skills is a form of professional development. As you become a more effective presenter, you become a more valuable asset to your organisation and industry. 

Building a personal brand  

A strong personal brand is vital for professional success. Impressive Presentations contribute to building a positive reputation and positioning yourself as a thought leader or industry expert. 

Career transitions and interviews  

When seeking new opportunities or transitioning to a different industry, Presentation Skills are essential for communicating your transferable skills and showcasing your adaptability to potential employers. 

Take your Presentations to the next level with our Effective Presentation Skills & Techniques Course. Sign up today!  

Tips to improve your Presentation Skills  

Now that you know about the importance of presentation skills in personal and professional life, we will now provide you with tips to Improve Your Presentation Skills .

1) Know your audience: Understand the demographics and interests of your audience to tailor your Presentation accordingly. 

2) Practice regularly: Rehearse your speech multiple times to refine content and delivery. 

3) Seek feedback: Gather feedback from peers or mentors to identify areas for improvement. 

4) Manage nervousness: Use relaxation techniques to overcome nervousness before presenting. 

5) Engage with eye contact: Maintain eye contact with the audience to establish a connection. 

6) Use clear visuals: Utilise impactful visuals to complement your spoken words. 

7) Emphasise key points: Highlight important information to enhance audience retention. 

8) Employ body language: Use confident and purposeful gestures to convey your message. 

9) Handle Q&A confidently: Prepare for potential questions and answer them with clarity. 

10) Add personal stories: Include relevant anecdotes to make your Presentation more relatable.   

All in all, Presentation skills are a valuable asset, impacting both personal and professional realms of life. By mastering these skills, you can become a more effective communicator, a confident professional, and a persuasive influencer. Continuous improvement and adaptation to technological advancements will ensure you stay ahead in this competitive world. 

Want to master the art of impactful Presentations? Explore our Presentation Skills Courses and elevate your communication prowess!  

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presentation mastery

(almost) everything you need to know to deliver a powerful presentation to any audience, table of contents.

• Last updated:
• September 19, 2023

How to Start a Presentation (and Finish It Strongly!)

When it comes to business presentations, consider this.

When you recall a great presentation you experienced, do you recall how great the bullet points were?

Or how those technically challenging and crowded slides really did it for you?

Unlikely, right?

You’re much more likely to remember great storytelling.

Here is how to start a presentation to ensure your audience is with you every step of the way.

Let’s face it. Business presentations tend to strike dread in the hearts of most people, and it’s not just for those in the audience. It’s often the case for the presenter, too.

On either side we’re fearful of being bored and being boring.

For the presenter, part of alleviating those fears is making sure we sound interesting and look interested in what we’re talking about. (That’s where a good executive presence coach comes in.)

But body language and a resonant, clear voice isn’t the be-all and end-all of presenting.

Think for a moment.

What do people actually like listening to?

The answer is, they like listening to a good story.

It’s pretty simple. All of us love stories.

We are programmed at a deep level from childhood to love hearing stories about other people’s experiences, and the more we can bring great storytelling into our business presentations and communications, the more effective we will be.

1. How to start a presentation: The opening story

For your business presentation, you need to hook ’em from the get-go!

Stories are powerful because they hold people’s attention. Like the stories Benjamin Zander or Joe Landolina (videos below) use to begin their speeches, they occur in a specific time and place and therefore hold our attention and feed our imaginations.

Stories ask us to imagine being in that time and place with the speaker.

Stories bring drama, mystery, tension, or surprise.

So, how do you begin?

Start by setting the stage and introduce the situation, then there’s a problem that arises that needs to be solved, and then the resolution to the problem.

A beginning, a middle, and an end.

Every story has these and so, too, does every good presentation or speech.

Take a minute to watch these two clips.

Here’s Benjamin Zander:

And now Joe Landolina:

2. How to start a presentation: Paint the picture

When you’re thinking about how to start a presentation, remember this: audiences love to identify with the speakers.

We trust what we know and we trust what is familiar to us, so laying out the landscape at the beginning with a statement or fact that we can all relate to helps to create an instant rapport with the audience.

The more the audience can use their imagination and see the story, the more they invest in what you’re talking about, so give them a bit of detail to set the stage. Use statements we can all identify with.

Two quick examples:

We all know what it’s like to be rushing because we’re late… or It’s always a push in the 11th hour of a deadline…

3. How to start a presentation: Your mission is…

The picture that the speaker paints could also be, for instance, a problem.

Such as: “If we don’t diversify in our social media strategies, this company is going to fail in 2 years.”

That’s a powerful picture to paint and grabs people right away.

This great storytelling technique immediately creates credibility because it shows you’re familiar with the issues.

It also creates anxiety, and therefore emotional and intellectual appeal.

Because now that we’ve heard the bad news, we automatically start searching for solutions.

Next, now that you’ve hooked your audience, here’s how to keep going in a winning vein!

4. Show vulnerability

Never underestimate the power of personal identification.

As we said before, people trust what is familiar to them and what could be more familiar than humour, poignancy, or adversity. (Example: Watch Hyeonseo Lee’s Ted talk, My Escape from North Korea )

There’s something satisfyingly voyeuristic about hearing other people’s tales of woe, embarrassment, or adventure.

When we reveal something reasonable and personal about ourselves, we become vulnerable and open to our audience and their judgments.

This is an invitation for them to think, “Oh, man, that happened to me, too!”

And in that moment we all become human together.

And it is our humanness that ultimately keeps us interested.

The speaker could be Barack Obama but when he’s talking about how he grew up, the neighbourhood he lived in, and his parents’ struggles, we can all still relate to those details.

Even though we know he went on to become President of the United States.

5. Unleash your creativity

Above all, be open to being creative and thinking outside the box.

John Bohannon is a science writer who uses dance instead of PowerPoint to illustrate new laser and molecular technology ideas.

Not only does this create compelling and captivating viewing but it simplifies complex concepts, tells a visual story, and is irresistibly memorable.

We won’t all be getting a dance company up on stage with us to illustrate our story but it just shows what you can do when you let yourself be inspired and use your imagination.

Have a look:

6. Give the presentation you would like to experience

Ask yourself what kind of presentation would hold YOUR attention.

Then map out your story, include personal anecdotes, and allow yourself to be moved by the power and logic of the story you’re telling.

Remember, you’re in a room full of human beings all of whom have the same insecurities, challenges, and desires that we all have.

So grab them, keep them, and then bring it home.

Finally, you’ve done everything right. Now you need to finish!

7. How to finish a presentation: The closing remarks

If you’ve done all that, you’ll have hooked them, introduced tension, given them something to relate to.

Before you finish, though, it’s time to give them a bit of release.

When you’re wrapping things up at the end of a talk, remind the audience of the problems they face, and then give them some solutions.

You can also suggest actions to take to move towards solutions or how to think differently to solve their problems.

But above all, make sure you’ve told given them some great storytelling. You, and they, will be glad you did.

There you have it. Seven tips to delivering the perfect business presentation.

• Start by setting the stage and introducing the situation
• Lay out the landscape with a statement or fact everyone can relate to
• Outline one possible solution (which you’ll go through in the key points of your talk)
• Be your vulnerable self (because everyone before you has the same insecurities)
• Allow your imagination to run loose
• Think about the presentation that would capture YOUR attention
• Close with a quick recap (a bit like I’m doing right here!)

Key skills to avoid boring presentations

You know what a boring business presentation is like to sit through.

When the speaker’s voice has become so dull and annoying that it starts to sound like a mosquito buzzing in your ear.

But are you aware of the pitfalls so that you can avoid them next them you stand up to deliver a presentation?

Follow these five steps to avoid the “Death by Monotony” presentation.

First: How to Know What Makes a Boring Business Presentation

So what’s happening?

Most of the time this unfortunate situation arises because the presenter has fallen into the Monotony

They speak from one place in their voice in one rhythm and don’t vary either one at all, and this happens without them even knowing it.

Now, this could be someone your know. It could—let’s face it—even be you and you don’t even know it.

A monotone vocal delivery is one of the worst sins and most common mistakes you can make when it comes to public speaking. Luckily, there are lots of skills and voice coaching techniques you can implement to prevent it.

Here are just a few tips you can use to stay out of the monotony trap and keep your audience interested and engaged.

The Five Key Business Presentation Skills

1. vary your pitch.

Here’s one basic fact of physiology.

The ear needs to be entertained and kept interested.

So first off, vary your pitch.

Pitch is your vocal range, it’s the movement in tone between the top of your vocal range and the bottom and everywhere in between.

As children, we naturally have a varied vocal range. As we learn to speak we explore the range of sound our voices can make.

Then as we grow older, something happens. We start to have opinions and start editing ourselves. We start to become self-conscious.

One big mistake we make is thinking that a deep, weighty, monotonous tone for credibility, maturity and gravity.

In short, we stop using the full range of our voices.

Experiment with your vocal range—it’s there for a reason. Remember that the ear needs to be entertained and kept interested so change it up, vary your tone, and use the full range of your vocal pitches.

Watch this great example:

2. Do Not Underestimate the Power Of Articulation & Pace

Next, make sure you’re articulating and speaking clearly and slowly.

It may seem obvious but do not underestimate the power of clarity.

We may have heard our message a hundred times but we forget our audience is hearing it for the first time.

Everyone can afford to slow down their delivery.

We often rush and end up mumbling our words together because we want to get through the material as quickly as possible or are afraid of forgetting what we have to say next.

Think into your consonants, breathe, and you will slow down.

This eliminates rushing and your audience will thank you for it.

3. Use of Pause

Pause is perhaps the most effective and underused of voice coaching techniques.

Pause is powerful, so learn to understand and use the power of pause in public speaking .

Former US President Barack Obama is a good example of someone who uses pause well and often.

We can implement pauses to gain different effects.

When we pause before a word or phrase, it creates the classic tension—release.

And when we pause after it, it allows the audience a moment for the information to sink in.

When we use pause, we also vary the pace of our delivery.

Varying our pace and using pause keeps the rhythm of our vocal delivery varied and keeps the ear from falling asleep.

4. Volume & Breath

What’s one key objective that too few people think about in speaking.

The need to be heard!

When it comes to volume, this where breathing properly comes in handy.

If you are getting enough breath into your lungs, you won’t have to worry about being heard because your voice will be supported.

Remember, breath = fuel for the voice.

We’re not talking about shouting here.

There’s a big difference between having a supported, resonant sound that fills the space and shouting. The former is about generosity, the latter is unpleasant and off-putting.

5. Make a Recording

Finally, record yourself. Whether it’s your iPhone or your laptop, video taping yourself when you’re rehearsing has never been never easier.

It is the only way you can see exactly what you look like and sound like. More importantly it can help decide where you need to make changes.

You can also just use audio recording. Record just your voice and you will quickly know if you’ve fallen into the Monotony Trap!

Eight visual presentation skills

PowerPoint is always lurking in the background and we’ve all seen terrible PowerPoint, right?

Some thoughts on the murky world of PowerPoint.

1. Ask yourself, “Do I really need that slide?”

Why not trust yourself to communicate the message, maybe you don’t need a slide.

If you carefully structure your message and deliver it with vocal presence then you don’t really need a slide.

Remember, it is YOU that will engage, educate, motivate – not a slide deck.

2. Always remember why visual aids are used

Visual aids are there to help make your presentation memorable – they are not the presentation, they are merely an aid.

Don’t use your slide as a crutch and remember you are the best visual in the presentation.

So always ask yourself is this slide aiding my presentation?

Is it helping to make me memorable?

3. Get rid of that terrible “Agenda slide”

They bore, they lack imagination and they are lazy.

Your audience are most certainly listening at the beginning of your presentation, this is the time to make an impact and engage, so think about that “agenda slide” do you really need it to tell the audience what you are going to talk about?

If you think you definitely need it, do some homework and get a good design.

4. Get rid of bullets

They really are not clever or nice to look at, they are certainly not memorable.

Bullets are not nice items anyway – so come on stop shooting your audience!

5. Stop using your slide deck as dumping ground

We see it all the time.

People putting all their thoughts on the slide, and before you know it there’s a slide so full of text that it is no longer a visual aid.

It’s a novel!

It confuses, bewilders and annoys.

6. Stop using ClipArt

It’s not memorable, it doesn’t visually engage, in my humble opinion it looks a little amateurish.

There are plenty of resources out there to get good visual images, often for free.

Start with Unsplash or Google Images or Flickr.

7. The 30-20-10 rule

This is a tried and tested rule that all sensational presenting incorporates to some degree

It’s a great example of ‘a little knowledge goes a long way’.

Simply stated:

• 30 is the minimum font size to use on slides — this keeps your word count to a minimum, so it forces you to use only the words that truly matter
• 20 is the maximum length of a presentation in minutes — 20 minutes is enough time to say what you need to say about pretty much anything
• 10 is the maximum number of slides to use — Slides are never the story in sensational presenting. You are the story. The slides are only there to serve you. Ten slides or less is enough to support any message.

The 30-20-10 rule will help you avoid Death By PowerPoint and avoid losing your audience.

What comedians can teach us about presentation skills

It can be difficult to keep your audience engaged during business presentations.

How do comedians keep their audiences engaged?

Some people are naturally funny.

Others think that being funny is a gift from birth that only the chosen few are blessed with, and that the rest of us should stay far, far away from trying to make people laugh.

The fact is, being funny is a skill like anything else, like driving a car, learning a new language, or learning presentation techniques.

Comedians spend years crafting and honing their content and delivery, making them one of the few public speakers that clock up the 10,000 hours Malcolm Gladwell says make you a master.

Performers learn a lot the hard way. there’s just no other way to do it.

You can practice, practice, and practice until the cows come home but at the end of the day you have to get up in front of a real audience to test it out.

Here are a few interesting presentation techniques from the world of comedy to help speakers in the business world master the art of keeping audiences engaged.

1. Rock it from the start

Everyone knows that getting off to a good start sets the tone for the rest of your journey.

When you’re practicing your speech or presentation, the first 30 seconds will make or break you.

Psychologist Jennice Vilhauer does this effectively in her TED talk, “Why you don’t get what you want…”

If you don’t engage people and give them a reason to listen in the first 30 seconds, you’ll have a pretty tough time getting them back.

A killer start to your presentation will set the tone for the rest of your talk and keep your audience engaged.

So practice this, hone it, and know it until you can do it in your sleep.

2. Know your timing

When you’re practicing, breakdown the sections of your content.

• First 30 seconds
• Numbers of key areas

Time yourself so you know how long each takes and how much time the whole presentation will be and when in doubt, keep it short.

You will keep your audience engaged, and they will thank you for it.

3. Don’t wait to work the room

Comedians are clever at working the room.

They “cast” someone in the audience so they have instant familiarity with the room.

Introduce yourself to people as they come into the room; don’t wait to find common ground with your audience until you start your talk.

Break the ice with them from the outset, greet them as they come in, have a bit of banter with them.

You’ll automatically have back story with them when you start your presentation.

4. Warm up first

All performers warm up and do something to get them in the ‘zone’ as TEDTalk presenter Julien Treasure talks about below.

Stretch your arms up over your head before you step onto the stage, take some deep breaths, loosen up your muscles or do some articulation exercises.

Whatever you do, do something. 

This will help calm any nerves and also get your body and mind focused on the task at hand.

5. Self critique

Whenever you get the chance to present or speak in front of an audience, always film or video yourself.

It’s so easy now to do it now with phones and tablets.

Get a friend or someone you know will be there to video you so you can watch it back and see exactly what you’re doing and sounding like.

Performers and comedians love this because it gives them instant feedback on everything they’re doing and how they are keeping audiences engaged.

6. Be human

No one feels comfortable around people who seem like they’re perfect all the time.

We connect with people we trust, who feel familiar to us.

Really funny material comes from comedians who know it’s not necessarily about making people laugh; it’s about making people think, it’s about showing them that you know what it’s like to be human. 

The audience finds something in you that resonates with them. 

Comedian and writer Ricky Gervais talks brilliantly about this here.

As a public speaker, take heed of some of these techniques from comedians and see if they help in your performance.

Comedians face the toughest audiences in the world so they know what they’re talking about.

Remember, good preparation and practice will pay off in dividends when it comes to getting up in front of an audience and delivering the goods.

Great communicating is learned; no one is born a great speaker.

Remember that you’re a human being in a room full of human beings and every audience loves to see people succeed.

They want you to be great! It makes their job of listening so much easier.

Olivia's surprising strategies for great presentations

If it weren’t for Mr. Rutland, I wouldn’t have got the wake-up call I needed to get the focus of my presentation where it belonged.

Off me, and on to my audience.

I want to share the strategies for great presentations which I learnt from the wonderful Mr Rutland with you.

Here’s the scenario.

I had to give a final presentation in one of my college courses. I was acting and performing regularly so I figured I had a pretty good shot of dazzling my unprepossessing tutor.

Mr. Rutland patiently sat through my 15 minute presentation.

There were a lot of slick slides my friends had helped me with. I had some funny jokes, flashy body and hand movements, and a few sarcastic comments — all the bells and whistles!

When I finished, I was beaming, waiting for my tutor to tell me just how brilliant I was.

He smiled, nodded, and then he said the words that would stay with me until today,

“Stop trying to be interesting to the audience. Be interested in the audience.”

How could I have gotten it so wrong? Wasn’t I entertaining, polished, and prepared? Didn’t I do all the homework?

The answer is yes to all those.

However I was missing one fundamental truth that drives all the best speakers, speeches, and presentations:

It’s not about you. It’s always about the audience.

So here are a few strategies for great presentations to help you to take your attention off yourself and focus it instead, on the audience during your next presentation or keynote.

1. Put yourself in your audience’s shoes

You need to ask the question your audience is asking themselves,

“What’s in it for me?”

Audiences consider their time important so they want to know it’s going to be well spent listening to you.

They want a reason to listen. 

This is probably one of the most important strategies for great presentations, so PLEASE give it time and thought.

You have to give them that reason in the first 30 seconds or you’ll lose them.

Here’s where a strong “hook” comes in.

Have a strong hook right at the start and give them what they want – you tell them exactly why they should listen.

2. Great vocal delivery can make or break a presentation

Audiences are always looking for a reason to tune you out so don’t give them one.

By using vocal techniques and skills like pace, pause, pitch, volume, and articulation you can change up the audio and keep their ears interested.

This is the pallet of colours and textures you have to create great vocal delivery .

And they do work, so it’s worth learning, practicing, and using them.

3. Make them the centre of your universe

Audiences love to feel like they’re the centre of attention, so show them that they are the centre of your universe for those minutes by making eye contact .

By using eye contact, open body posture, or hand gestures you can make an emotional connection with your audience that will keep them listening.

This TED talk from Daniel Levitin is an example of good eye contact.

4. Never underestimate the power of a smile

Smiling makes you feel good and tells your audience you are happy to be there.

It has to be more than just words so face them, connect with them, and show them through your delivery how important they are.

5. What do they know and what do they feel?

When you begin to map out your presentation (and you should do this before you even look at PowerPoint) ask yourself these questions:

• What does your audience know before you present?
• What do they feel? 
• What do you want them to know and want them to feel afterwards?  

This will help form the framework for a presentation that engages them.

This, along with a good, strong hook, will create the bones of a presentation that puts your audience’s needs first.

6. Be generous

When you get nervous and feel that urge to start “performing” —or even worse, run away — just remind yourself of one thing.

“It’s not about you. It’s all about the audience. Whew!”

Take the pressure off yourself.

How generous can you be with the information you have to give?

How can you be of service to your audience in that moment?

Take the focus off you and turn it instead on to what you can do for your audience.

Audiences don’t want to do any work, they want you to take them by the hand and show them how important they are and all the great stuff they’re going to get out of your presentation.

They want to feel good after you leave the stage. They want to get the sense that their time was well spent.

So remember, take the spotlight off yourself and turn it on the most important people in the room: Your audience.

Three top tips for sensational presenting

We have a team of voice coaches on hand, and we often consider about physical and vocal skills when it comes to sensational presenting.

How you look and how you sound are always at the top of my list of important skills.

But there are a couple of other factors to consider outside your physical appearance and your vocal presence.

These three tips are not so much about the mechanics of delivering your words, as they are about being human.

Sensational presenting really starts to sing when you remember that a presentation is so much more than just words and information.

Sensational presenting: The head, the heart, and the hand

Think of your presentation as being more than just words and information.

This will help any stiff formality or obstacles between you and the audience fall away.

How can you connect with your audience as a human being in a room full of human beings?

People want to be touched emotionally. When you reach out to your audience on an emotional level, they will trust more readily.

And trust is what you want from your audience.

1. The head

First, you have to assure the audience that you’re worth listening to.

After all, they’ve taken time out to be there and want to know their time is being well spent.

You need to establish your credibility with the audience.

Sensational presenting shows the audience you know your subject.

That you are an expert in your field.

What’s your pedigree, track record for success?

2. The heart

Sensational presenting involves your audience liking you or at least knowing that you know their pain.

Let your audience know that you are aware of their challenges and that you have answers to help them with those challenges.

The audience is always asking themselves one question as they sit there spending their precious time with you:

Why should I care about this?

Sensational presenting answers this burning question for the audience.

Your audience will care if you show that you care.

Perhaps share a story from your own journey that illustrates how you overcame obstacles or challenges of your own.

When they hear you’ve overcome difficulties yourself, they know you empathize with them.

3. The hand

Lastly, the hand metaphor refers to what they take away from your presentation.

Sensational presenting leads the audience towards some kind of practical, concrete steps or knowledge they can take home and put into practice.

The audience comes in with questions and wants to leave with answers. 

Put into their hands something they can use, a tool that will help them with their challenges.

This reminds me of Chris Anderson’ s definition of persuasion as “the act of replacing someone’s world view with something better”. 

The audience wants to leave feeling different than when they came in.

Knowledge Can Be A Dangerous Thing

Sensational presenting involves weeding out what the audience doesn’t need to know and what they do.

There’s a great book called “Made To Stick” by Chip and Dan Heath , which warns that a lot of knowledge can become a bad thing if left unchecked.

When you’re an expert in your field it can be easy to speak in acronyms, use phrases the audience doesn’t know, or use “in jokes” that leaves 90% of the audience completely lost.

Make your presentation easy for the audience to understand and follow and use simple language.

It’s not a matter of dumbing down. It’s a matter of simplicity.

In conclusion

I hope this guide to presentation mastery has been helpful for you.

We’ve gone over how to start (and finish!) your presentation.

We’ve talked about the danger of death by monotony, and eight tips and techniques for visual presentations and slide decks.

We’ve considered what we might learn from comedians, and also gone through some perhaps surprising strategies to deliver an exceptional presentation that can influence, engage and compel any audience to action.

There are lots more guides and resources available over here.

If you’d like to receive more hands-on support and guidance from Confident Speak, you can find all our programs over here .

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Don’t Just Listen, Be An Active Listener

Business communication relies on active listening.

Stephen R. Covey said: “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”

Everyone has an opinion and something to say, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The problem is when people spend too much time responding and not enough time listening.

Having active listening skills benefits everyone, and not just at work. Yes, being an active listener during a presentation is certainly going to improve your overall communication with the group; but, active listening can also go a long way to settle an argument with a stranger, understand your partner’s needs, and build solid relationships.

If you’re not sure what the difference is between listening and active listening, you’re not the only one. But once you do, you can implement changes in your behavior that will improve your relationships at work and at home.

Improve Your Business Communication

There’s a significant difference between hearing what someone’s saying and active listening—that is, processing their words and intent.

Active listening means allowing for a distraction-free environment where the person on the receiving end listens with all their senses so they can accept the intent of the conversation. By communicating this way, you can better formulate a response when it’s required.

Do you use active listening skills in your day-to-day interactions with people? You’ll see your business communication improve if you do and here’s why:

You can build appropriate responses through understanding the problem. An important aspect of active listening is turning off the response-building mechanism that many people trigger while someone is talking. Building a response before someone has finished communicating means that assumptions are made, and conclusions are drawn; you’re no longer truly engaged when you’re thinking of what you’re going to say. By listening and proactively caring about what the speaker is saying, noting body language and showing physical “I am paying attention” responses, you can build a better response to the situation.

Hearing example: Sam is undergoing his yearly performance review with his supervisor, Kim. There’s a problem with Sam regularly leaving work early, and Sam is explaining his side of the story. This is Kim’s eighth performance review of the day and she’s tired of hearing excuses for shortcomings in her employees’ performance, so she interrupts Sam and says, “Regardless, we need you to work on improving this area.” Sam is offended by Kim’s short response and leaves the conversation feeling on edge.

Listening example: Even though Kim has had many conversations with her employees today, she understands that each is an individual who deserves to be heard. Moreover, each employee should be given the chance to communicate their issues. She listens to Sam’s story and learns that he’s in a bind with his son’s daycare, and he’s been leaving early to rush home to take care of his child. Through interactive questions and after bouncing ideas back and forth, Kim offers Sam some flexibility with hours to accommodate his home life. Sam feels less stressed and confident that he can perform better now.

You can diffuse emotions by not disregarding them. No human is void of emotion, and although companies have historically expected their employees to “leave personal stuff at home,” the truth is it can be extremely difficult to do that. The result is poor job performance or even angry outbursts.

Emotions come in different shapes and sizes, and they’re often masked by behavior that doesn’t match. A person responding angrily may actually be in pain, for example. In order to improve communication at your business, it’s important to hear people out to understand the underlying issue. Without this information, you can’t respond appropriately.

Hearing example: Sam storms into Kim’s office to angrily complain about his colleague. Kim is distracted by an email she’s reading and only picks up on Sam’s angry tone and a few words here and there. Kim is irritated and interrupts Sam, telling him to calm down and that his colleague is a hard worker. This makes Sam angry and the conversation becomes angry and bitter.

Listening example: Kim looks away from her computer when Sam comes in, noting his anger. She hears how Sam’s colleague ruined his biggest sale of the year. Kim invites Sam to sit, and listens while he gets his words across. When he’s finished, she asks imploring questions. Kim learns that this isn’t the first time their personalities have clashed, and that Sam is really frustrated about not hitting sales targets and achieving his best. Knowing the problem, Kim decides to separate the two colleagues. Sam is grateful that he’s heard.

You can improve knowledge and understanding of every situation encountered. Active listening skills aren’t just to diffuse conflicts. By improving your active listening skills in any situation, you’ll expand your knowledge and understanding of situations and experiences around you.

Hearing example: Sam attends a development seminar with his entire office. Sitting in the back, many of his coworkers take this time to catch up on social media and whisper jokes to one another. Sam allows himself to get distracted by his phone and tunes in and out of what the speaker is saying. Afterwards, he considers the seminar a waste of time and goes home.

Listening example: Sam brings a notepad to the seminar and turns his phone off as the speaker steps up to the mic. He keeps his eye on the speaker, nods along with what’s said, and jots down notes and quotes that apply to him. Even though he wasn’t sure what to expect, Sam’s excited about what’s being shared and chats about it with friends after work. He applies what he’s learned at the seminar to his day-to-day life and feels positive.

Access Your Presentation Tools Now

Master Active Listener Skills

Don’t worry if you feel your active listening skills have been lacking up to this point. If you’re now realizing this shortcoming may be responsible for problems in your business relationships, here’s what you can do today to make things better:

• Remove distractions: Get off your email, put your phone down, look away from the TV.
• Make eye contact: A lack of eye contact indicates you’re distracted or disinterested.
• Nod: Show that you’re digesting what’s being said.
• Wait to speak: Avoid interrupting and wait until the speaker finishes.
• Ask open-ended questions: If more details are needed, ask for them.
• Paraphrase: Repeat back to the speaker what you’ve heard to make sure you’ve understood.
• Recall a previous conversation: Show that you’ve actively listened in the past!

Sending this to friends– it’s so important, especially now that everything has gone virtual. I’m never fully sure if someone has heard what I said unless they verbally tell me so, since most the time no one turns their camera on. Maybe we should start leaving them on!

Wait to speak! Great tip I hate when people cut others off. It is so annoying!!

Listening skills are so important yet so many people listen with the intent to reply, not the intent to listen.

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Engaging Your Audience

Design an effective introduction, engage the audience — get them interested, give them a reason to listen. how.

• Describe a scene or a character.
• Tell a story.
• Share a personal experience.
• Relate to a recent event.
• Piggyback on a previous speaker’s remark or theme.
• Point out something important about the audience or the current setting.
• Show a compelling visual image.
• Ask a provocative question.
• State a fact that is troubling, amusing, or remarkable.
• Spell out what's at stake for your listeners.
• Offer a humorous observation or anecdote.
• Explain your own interest in the topic.
• Tell listeners what the topic has to do with them.

Focus the presentation—tell listeners what it’s about. State the presentation’s goal or your thesis or research question. Tell listeners what they’ll learn.

Preview what’s to follow—your points, your approach, or the type of content., gear your content to your listeners’ knowledge, experience, and interests.

• Define unfamiliar terms.
• Use concrete, specific examples to illustrate points. Tell stories.
• Make statistics meaningful : Use graphics to help clarify numerical data. Round off big numbers. Interpret stats, translate them into human terms. Make comparisons.
• Use analogies to relate the unknown to the known. (“It’s kind of like...”)
• Connect to the here-and-now.
• Refer to your listeners’ experience. Mention your own experience.  Personalize the subject when that’s appropriate.
• Highlight the local angle—a person, a place, an event. Bring it home.  

Guide your listeners

• Previews tell listeners what's coming next or how you're going to develop a point. For instance, in a discussion of why discrepancies exist between cars’ EPA gas mileage ratings and actual gas mileage, you might say “First I’m going to explain how the EPA arrives at its numbers. Then I’ll explain how the Consumers Union conducts its tests.”
• Summaries remind listeners of what's important in what was just covered. A summary is especially useful in reframing or refocusing the discussion after a string of supporting details or after any fairly lengthy discussion of a point.
• Signposts are words or phrases such as “In the first place...,” “The second issue is...,” “The key argument is...,” etc. They tell the audience where they are in the presentation and flag what’s important to note or remember.
• Transitions make sure no one gets left behind when you move from one point to the next. They show how pieces of content relate to one another and to your thesis; they tie things together and improve “flow.” Transitions in oral presentations often must be more obvious than those used in writing. They tell listeners not only that you’re moving on but also where you’re going next. Changes in body position, gestures, and voice can help listeners recognize a transition.

Use language that is clear to the ear

• Avoid vague pronoun references . These are bad in writing but terrible in speech.  Listeners don't have the option of looking back over the text to figure them out.
• Similarly, avoid words like “respectively”  (as in “John, Ashley, and Tamika represented the Departments of Economics, Biology, and English, respectively.”) and “the former...the latter”  (as in “You can purchase beef that is either dry-aged or wet-aged. Professional chefs know that, for the best steaks, you want the latter.”)  Like pronouns, both of these constructions require the audience to remember certain details in order to understand a later reference to them. The problem is that listeners may not have paid close enough attention to the earlier details; they didn't realize they'd be “tested” on them later. Whenever you’re tempted to use this type of verbal device, ask yourself, “If I had only my ear to depend on and heard it only once, would I get it?”

Design an effective conclusion

• Summarize and refocus . Recap the main points or arguments you’ve covered.  Reiterate your purpose, thesis, or research question. Reinforce what’s important for the audience to take away from your presentation.
• Close . Create closure, a sense of finality. Here you can use many of the same kinds of devices suggested for openings. You can even return to exactly the same anecdote, quotation, or remark you used at the beginning—and give it a twist. Other approaches are to lay down a challenge, look to the future, or simply to firmly restate your basic conclusion or recommendation. Avoid introducing new evidence or opening a new line of argument.

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Hamilton is one of only three top liberal arts colleges with an independent Oral Communication Center. In fact, students requested such a center. Recently, the faculty adopted a “speaking intensive” designation for courses that help students develop their oral presentation skills.

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10 Presentation Skills That Every Great Presenter Must Have

It’s no secret that effective presentations can help you get ahead in business. After all, what better way to show off your knowledge and expertise than by delivering a well-crafted presentation? The right presentation skills give you the ability to share your ideas with an audience convincingly and engagingly.

Unfortunately, not everyone is born a natural presenter. If you’re not used to standing up in front of an audience, the prospect of doing so can be daunting. Fortunately, understanding your unique strengths can help you overcome these challenges and improve your presentation skills. The HIGH5 strengths assessment is a powerful tool that can provide valuable insights into your natural abilities, allowing you to leverage your strengths and develop strategies to address areas for improvement. With the right guidance, there are a few simple things you can do to enhance your presentation skills and become a more confident and effective communicator.

In this article, we’ll share some tips on how to do just that, allowing you to deliver an effective presentation. Let’s get right into it.

What are Presentation Skills?

Presentation skills are the abilities you need to deliver a clear and effective presentation. After all, a good presenter is someone who can communicate their ideas in a way that engages and motivates their audience.

There are many different aspects to presentation skills, from knowing how to structure your talk to using visuals effectively, to dealing with nerves.

Developing strong presentation skills will help you to communicate your ideas more effectively and make a positive impression on your audience.

Presentation skills are important because they can help you to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively. A good presentation can make a big impact on your audience and can help to persuade them of your point of view.

Presentation skills are also important in other areas of life, such as job interviews, sales pitches, and networking events. Being able to present your ideas clearly and concisely can give you a big advantage over others who are not as confident in their presentation skills.

Why Is it Important To Recognize Presentation Skills & Their Benefits?

One of the most important reasons to recognize presentation skills is because they are a valuable asset for any profession. Good presentation skills can help you in your career by making it easier to sell your ideas, get promoted, and be successful in business. Identifying your unique strengths through the HIGH5 assessment can provide invaluable insights into your natural communication abilities, allowing you to leverage your strengths and develop targeted strategies to enhance your presentation skills. By understanding your strengths, you can tailor your approach to deliver more impactful and persuasive presentations, increasing your chances of success in any professional setting.

In addition, good presentation skills can also help you in your personal life by making it easier to give speeches, make presentations, and teach classes.

In addition, recognizing presentation skills can also help you improve your presentations. If you are not aware of the importance of presentation skills, you may not be using them to their full potential.

By taking the time to learn about presentation skills and how to use them effectively, you can make your presentations more effective and persuasive.

Here’s a list of benefits that come with good presentation skills:

• Increased confidence
• The ability to think on your feet
• Improved public speaking skills
• Enhanced written communication skills
• The ability to lead and motivate others
• Enhanced problem-solving abilities
• Improved negotiation skills
• Stronger time management skills
• Greater creativity
• The opportunity to make a positive impact on others

Pro Tip From HIGH5 Take the HIGH5 strengths assessment to gain a deeper understanding of your natural communication style and preferences. Use this knowledge to play to your strengths when preparing and delivering presentations, such as leveraging your creativity for engaging visuals or your analytical skills for structured content.

10 Examples of Presentation Skills

Let’s now explore some practical examples of presentation skills that will help you ace your next big presentation.

A Clear And Confident Voice

One of the most important aspects of a great presentation is having a clear and confident voice. If you’re mumbling or speaking too quietly, your audience is going to have a hard time understanding you.

On the other hand, if you’re shouting or speaking too fast, they’re going to get overwhelmed and tune out. So, it’s important to find that happy medium where your voice is audible and easy to understand.

The Ability To Engage With Your Audience

Another key presentation skill is the ability to engage with your audience. This means making eye contact, using gestures, and speaking in a way that is relatable and easy to understand.

If you’re just standing there reading off a slide, chances are your audience is going to get bored pretty quickly. But if you can find ways to keep them engaged, they’ll be more likely to listen to what you have to say.

Good Eye Contact

One of the best ways to engage with your audience is through eye contact. When you make eye contact with someone, it shows that you’re interested in what they have to say and that you’re engaged in the conversation. It also helps to build trust and rapport.

So, if you can find ways to make eye contact with your audience members, it will go a long way in keeping them engaged.

Natural Gestures

Another great way to engage with your audience is through natural gestures. Using your hands and arms to gesture can help emphasize points and keep your audience engaged. Just be sure not to go overboard – too much gesturing can be distracting.

Positive Body Language

Your body language is also important when it comes to presentations. If you’re slouching or looking down at your feet, it’s going to show that you’re not confident in what you’re saying.

On the other hand, if you’re standing up straight and making strong eye contact, it’s going to give off a positive impression. So, be aware of your body language and try to project confidence through it.

The Use Of Visual Aids

Visual aids can be a great way to engage your audience and make your points more clear. Using slides, charts, and graphs can help illustrate your ideas and make them easier to understand. Similar to using gestures, just be sure not to overdo it – too many visuals can be overwhelming and confusing.

The Ability To Handle Questions

At some point during your presentation, you’re likely going to get questions from your audience; how you handle those questions can make or break your presentation. If you’re able to answer them confidently and without getting flustered, it’ll show that you know your stuff.

But if you start to get tongue-tied or defensive, it’s going to reflect poorly on you. So, be prepared for questions and try to stay calm when answering them.

An Organized Structure

Another important presentation skill is having a well-organized structure. This means having an introduction, main body, and conclusion to your presentation.

It also means using transitions between sections to help your audience follow along. If your presentation is all over the place, it’s going to be hard for your audience to stay engaged and they’ll quickly tune out.

The Use Of Storytelling

Storytelling is a great way to engage your audience and make your points more memorable. And while it might not seem like a traditional presentation skill, it can be extremely effective. If you possess strengths like creativity, communication, or persuasion, you may find it easier to weave captivating stories into your presentations. The HIGH5 strengths assessment can help you identify these natural storytelling abilities and provide strategies for leveraging them to captivate your audience. So, if you can find ways to weave stories into your presentation, it’ll go a long way in captivating your audience and making your message more impactful.

Last but not least, confidence is one of the most important presentation skills you can have. If you’re not confident in what you’re saying, it’s going to show – and your audience is going to pick up on it.

So, even if you’re not feeling 100% sure of yourself, try to project confidence. It’ll make a big difference in how your audience perceives you and your message.

Pro Tip From HIGH5 Use the HIGH5 assessment to understand your unique storytelling style and preferences. Incorporate personal anecdotes, analogies, or case studies that align with your strengths to make your presentations more engaging and memorable.

How To Identify & Master Presentation Skills

The good news is that presentation skills are not rocket science. Anyone can develop and master them with the right guidance.

Here’s a 5-step process to help you identify and master presentation skills.

Determine The Purpose Of Your Presentation

Are you trying to inform, persuade, or entertain your audience? Knowing the purpose of your presentation will help you focus on the right content and delivery.

Know Your Audience

Who will be watching or listening to your presentation? What are their needs, wants, and concerns? The better you understand your audience, the more effectively you can address their needs.

Structure Your Content

Organize your thoughts into an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should grab your audience’s attention and set the stage for the rest of your presentation. The body should contain the meat of your argument, and the conclusion should drive home your main points.

Choose Your Delivery Method

Will you be using slides, props, or other visual aids? Will you be speaking extemporaneously or reading from a script? Choose a delivery method that best suits your content and audience.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The only way to become a master presenter is to practice, practice, practice! Experiment with different techniques and find what works best for you. Then keep practicing until it becomes second nature.

Also, consider that the right strengths test can help you understand your presentation skills better – both the strong ones and the ones to get better at. To this extent, the High5test.com strengths test is a great resource.

How To Improve Presentation Skills in The Workplace

The workplace is one of the most important places to hone your presentation skills. After all, in the business world, first impressions are key, and being able to deliver a polished and professional presentation can make all the difference in whether or not you’re successful.

Here are a few tips to help you improve your presentation skills in the workplace:

Preparation Is Key

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating. When you’re preparing for a presentation, take the time to do your research and gather all of the necessary information. This will help ensure that your presentation is well-organized and flows smoothly.

Be Aware Of Your Body Language

Your body language speaks volumes, so it’s important to be aware of what you’re communicating with your nonverbal cues. Make sure you’re standing up straight, making eye contact, and using gestures appropriately. These small tweaks can make a big difference in how your audience perceives you.

One of the best ways to improve your presentation skills is simply to practice as much as you can. The more you present, the more comfortable you’ll become and the better you’ll be at thinking on your feet and handling questions from the audience.

Seek Feedback

After each presentation, take some time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. Seek feedback from your colleagues or boss, and consider taking the HIGH5 strengths assessment to gain insights into your natural abilities and areas for growth. This will help you learn from your mistakes, leverage your strengths, and continue to improve. By understanding your unique strengths, you can develop targeted strategies to enhance your presentation skills and make a more significant impact in the workplace.

By following these tips, you can start to improve your presentation skills and make a positive impression in the workplace.

Pro Tip From HIGH5 After receiving feedback on your presentation, use the HIGH5 strengths assessment to identify areas where you excelled and areas for improvement. Develop an action plan that leverages your strengths while addressing your weaknesses, such as practicing more storytelling techniques if you have strong communication abilities or focusing on visual aids if you have strong creativity.

How To Highlight Presentation Skills In Resume & Job Interview

Another important skill that is often overlooked is the ability to highlight presentation skills in both a resume and a job interview. This can be the difference between getting the job and not.

When you are applying for a job, your resume is often the first thing that potential employers will look at. It is important to make sure that your resume includes any relevant presentation skills that you may have.

You can do this by including any experience you have in public speaking, leading presentations, or teaching courses. If you do not have any experience in these areas, consider listing any other relevant skills that could transfer over into presenting, such as customer service or sales experience.

In addition to your resume, it is also important to be able to highlight your presentation skills during a job interview. This is often done through behavioral interviewing, where you will be asked to describe specific examples of times when you have presented in the past. It is important to be prepared for this type of question and to have a few examples ready to go.

When you are highlighting your presentation skills, it is important to focus on any successes that you have had. This could be anything from getting positive feedback from an audience to successfully teaching a new course.

No matter what the specific example is, it is important to focus on how you were able to positively impact the situation. This will show potential employers that you can effectively present information and that you are someone they would want on their team.

Bonus Tip: How to Improve Presentation Skills in School As a Student

School students often have to present in front of their classmates and teachers, which can be a daunting experience, especially if you don’t feel confident in your abilities. However, understanding your unique strengths can help you approach presentations with greater confidence and effectiveness. The HIGH5 strengths assessment is a valuable tool that can provide insights into your natural abilities, allowing you to leverage your strengths and develop strategies to address areas for improvement. With the right guidance, there are some things you can do to improve your presentation skills while you’re still in school.

Join A Club Or Organization That Requires Presentations

This will force you to get up in front of people regularly and hone your skills. If no club or organization at your school requires presentations, start one!

Give speeches in front of the mirror.

Practicing in front of a mirror can help you identify any nervous habits you have (like fidgeting or pacing) and correct them before you have to give a real speech.

Use Note Cards Instead Of A Script

Reading from a script can make you sound robotic and unauthentic. Note cards will help you stay on track without sounding like you’re reciting memorized lines.

Record Yourself Giving A Presentation

Then, watch the recording back to see how you can improve. This exercise can be painful, but it’s one of the best ways to identify your weaknesses and work on them.

Find A Mentor

Ask a teacher or another adult you trust to give you feedback on your presentations. They can offer helpful tips and criticism that will help you improve.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a great presenter in no time!

Pro Tip From HIGH5 As a student, take the HIGH5 strengths assessment to identify your natural communication and leadership abilities. Use this knowledge to play to your strengths when preparing and delivering presentations, such as leveraging your analytical skills for structured content or your creativity for engaging visuals.

Presentation Skills FAQs

What are the 7 presentation skills.

The 7 presentation skills are:

• Eye contact

What are the 4 types of presentation skills?

The 4 types of presentation skills are:

• Verbal communication
• Visual aids
• Non-verbal communication
• Listening skills

What is the rule of presentation?

The rule of presentation is to always keep the audience in mind. This means knowing who your audience is, what they want to hear, and how to best deliver your message so that they will listen and be able to understand it.

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Complete Guide for Effective Presentations, with Examples

July 9, 2018 - Dom Barnard

During a presentation you aim to look confident, enthusiastic and natural. You’ll need more than good words and content to achieve this – your delivery plays a significant part. In this article, we discuss various techniques that can be used to deliver an effective presentation.

Effective presentations

Think about if you were in the audience, what would:

• Get you to focus and listen
• Make you understand
• Activate your imagination
• Persuade you

Providing the audience with interesting information is not enough to achieve these aims – you need to ensure that the way you present is stimulating and engaging. If it’s not, you’ll lose the audience’s interest and they’ll stop listening.

Tips for an Effective Presentation

Professional public speakers spend hours creating and practicing presentations. These are the delivery techniques they consider:

Keep it simple

You shouldn’t overwhelm your audience with information – ensure that you’re clear, concise and that you get to the point so they can understand your message.

Have a maximum of  three main points  and state them at the beginning, before you explain them in more depth, and then state them at the end so the audience will at least remember these points.

If some of your content doesn’t contribute to your key message then cut it out. Also avoid using too many statistics and technical terminology.

Connect with your audience

One of the greatest difficulties when delivering a presentation is connecting with the audience. If you don’t  connect with them  it will seem as though you’re talking to an empty room.

Trying to make contact with the audience makes them feel like they’re part of the presentation which encourages them to listen and it shows that you want to speak to them.

Eye contact and smile

Avoiding eye contact is uncomfortable because it make you look insecure. When you  maintain eye contact  the audience feels like you’re speaking to them personally. If this is something you struggle with, try looking at people’s foreheads as it gives the impression of making eye contact.

Try to cover all sections of the audience and don’t move on to the next person too quickly as you will look nervous.

Smiling also helps with rapport and it reduces your nerves because you’ll feel less like you’re talking to group of faceless people. Make sure you don’t turn the lights down too much before your presentation so you can all clearly see each other.

Body language

Be aware of your body language and use it to connect:

• Keep your arms uncrossed so your  body language is more open .
• Match your facial expressions with what you’re saying.
• Avoid fidgeting and displaying nervous habits, such as, rocking on your feet.
• You may need to glance at the computer slide or a visual aid but make sure you predominantly face the audience.
• Emphasise points by using hand gestures but use them sparingly – too little and they’ll awkwardly sit at your side, too much and you’ll be distracting and look nervous.
• Vary your gestures so you don’t look robotic.
• Maintain a straight posture.
• Be aware of  cultural differences .

Move around

Avoid standing behind the lectern or computer because you need to reduce the distance and barriers between yourself and the audience.  Use movement  to increase the audience’s interest and make it easier to follow your presentation.

A common technique for incorporating movement into your presentation is to:

• Start your introduction by standing in the centre of the stage.
• For your first point you stand on the left side of the stage.
• You discuss your second point from the centre again.
• You stand on the right side of the stage for your third point.
• The conclusion occurs in the centre.

Watch 3 examples of good and bad movement while presenting

Example: Movement while presenting

Your movement at the front of the class and amongst the listeners can help with engagement. Think about which of these three speakers maintains the attention of their audience for longer, and what they are doing differently to each other.

Speak with the audience

You can conduct polls using your audience or ask questions to make them think and feel invested in your presentation. There are three different types of questions:

Direct questions require an answer: “What would you do in this situation?” These are mentally stimulating for the audience. You can pass a microphone around and let the audience come to your desired solution.

Rhetorical questions  do not require answers, they are often used to emphasises an idea or point: “Is the Pope catholic?

Loaded questions contain an unjustified assumption made to prompt the audience into providing a particular answer which you can then correct to support your point: You may ask “Why does your wonderful company have such a low incidence of mental health problems?” The audience will generally answer that they’re happy.

After receiving the answers you could then say “Actually it’s because people are still unwilling and too embarrassed to seek help for mental health issues at work etc.”

Be specific with your language

Make the audience feel as though you are speaking to each member individually by using “you” and “your.”

For example: asking “Do you want to lose weight without feeling hungry?” would be more effective than asking “Does anyone here want to lost weight without feeling hungry?” when delivering your presentation. You can also increase solidarity by using “we”, “us” etc – it makes the audience think “we’re in this together”.

Be flexible

Be prepared to adapt to the situation at the time, for example, if the audience seems bored you can omit details and go through the material faster, if they are confused then you will need to come up with more examples on the spot for clarification. This doesn’t mean that you weren’t prepared because you can’t predict everything.

Vocal variety

How you say something is just as is important as the content of your speech – arguably, more so.

For example, if an individual presented on a topic very enthusiastically the audience would probably enjoy this compared to someone who covered more points but mumbled into their notes.

• Adapt your voice  depending on what are you’re saying – if you want to highlight something then raise your voice or lower it for intensity. Communicate emotion by using your voice.
• Avoid speaking in monotone as you will look uninterested and the audience will lose interest.
• Take time to pronounce every word carefully.
• Raise your pitch when asking questions and lower it when you want to sound severe.
• Sound enthusiastic – the more you sound like you care about the topic, the more the audience will listen. Smiling and pace can help with this.
• Speak loudly and clearly – think about projecting your voice to the back of the room.
• Speak at a  pace that’s easy to follow . If you’re too fast or too slow it will be difficult for the audience to understand what you’re saying and it’s also frustrating. Subtly fasten the pace to show enthusiasm and slow down for emphasis, thoughtfulness or caution.

Prior to the presentation, ensure that you  prepare your vocal chords :

• You could read aloud a book that requires vocal variety, such as, a children’s book.
• Avoid dairy and eating or drinking anything too sugary beforehand as mucus can build-up leading to frequent throat clearing.
• Don’t drink anything too cold before you present as this can constrict your throat which affects vocal quality.
• Some people suggest a warm cup of tea beforehand to relax the throat.

Practice Presentation Skills

Improve your public speaking and presentation skills by practicing them in realistic environments, with automated feedback on performance. Learn More

Pause to breathe

When you’re anxious your breathing will become quick and shallow which will affect the control you have on your voice. This can consequently make you feel more nervous. You want to breathe steadily and deeply so before you start speaking take some deep breaths or implement controlled breathing.

Controlled breathing is a common technique that helps slow down your breathing to normal thus reducing your anxiety. If you think this may be useful practice with these steps:

• Sit down in an upright position as it easier for your lungs to fill with air
• Breathe in through your nose and into your abdomen for four seconds
• Hold this breathe for two seconds
• Breathe out through your nose for six seconds
• Wait a few seconds before inhaling and repeating the cycle

It takes practice to master this technique but once you get used to it you may want to implement it directly before your presentation.

Completely filling your lungs during a pause will ensure you reach a greater vocal range.

During the presentation delivery, if you notice that you’re speaking too quickly then pause and breathe. This won’t look strange – it will appear as though you’re giving thought to what you’re saying. You can also strategically plan some of your pauses, such as after questions and at the end of sections, because this will give you a chance to calm down and it will also give the audience an opportunity to think and reflect.

Pausing will also help you  avoid filler words , such as, “um” as well which can make you sound unsure.

• 10 Effective Ways to use Pauses in your Speech

Strong opening

The first five minutes are  vital to engage the audience  and get them listening to you. You could start with a story to highlight why your topic is significant.

For example, if the topic is on the benefits of pets on physical and psychological health, you could present a story or a study about an individual whose quality of life significantly improved after being given a dog. The audience is more likely to respond better to this and remember this story than a list of facts.

Example: Which presentation intro keeps you engaged?

Watch 5 different presentation introductions, from both virtual and in-person events. Notice how it can only take a few seconds to decide if you want to keep listening or switch off. For the good introductions, what about them keeps you engaged?

More experienced and confident public speakers use humour in their presentations. The audience will be incredibly engaged if you make them laugh but caution must be exercised when using humour because a joke can be misinterpreted and even offend the audience.

Only use jokes if you’re confident with this technique, it has been successful in the past and it’s suitable for the situation.

Stories and anecdotes

Use stories whenever you can and judge whether you can tell a story about yourself because the audience are even more interested in seeing the human side of you.

Consider telling a story about a mistake you made, for example, perhaps you froze up during an important presentation when you were 25, or maybe life wasn’t going well for you in the past – if relevant to your presentation’s aim. People will relate to this as we have all experienced mistakes and failures. The more the audience relates to you, the more likely they will remain engaged.

These stories can also be  told in a humorous way  if it makes you feel more comfortable and because you’re disclosing a personal story there is less chance of misinterpretation compared to telling a joke.

Anecdotes are especially valuable for your introduction and between different sections of the presentation because they engage the audience. Ensure that you plan the stories thoroughly beforehand and that they are not too long.

Focus on the audience’s needs

Even though your aim is to persuade the audience, they must also get something helpful from the presentation. Provide the audience with value by giving them useful information, tactics, tips etc. They’re more likely to warm to you and trust you if you’re sharing valuable information with them.

You could also highlight their pain point. For example, you might ask “Have you found it difficult to stick to a healthy diet?” The audience will now want to remain engaged because they want to know the solution and the opportunities that you’re offering.

Use visual aids

Visual aids are items of a visual manner, such as graphs, photographs, video clips etc used in addition to spoken information. Visual aids are chosen depending on their purpose, for example, you may want to:

• Summarise information.
• Reduce the amount of spoken words, for example, you may show a graph of your results rather than reading them out.
• Clarify and show examples.
• Create more of an impact. You must consider what type of impact you want to make beforehand – do you want the audience to be sad, happy, angry etc?
• Emphasise what you’re saying.
• Make a point memorable.
• Enhance your credibility.
• Engage the audience and maintain their interest.
• Make something easier for the audience to understand.

Some general tips for  using visual aids :

• Think about how can a visual aid can support your message. What do you want the audience to do?
• Ensure that your visual aid follows what you’re saying or this will confuse the audience.
• Avoid cluttering the image as it may look messy and unclear.
• Visual aids must be clear, concise and of a high quality.
• Keep the style consistent, such as, the same font, colours, positions etc
• Use graphs and charts to present data.
• The audience should not be trying to read and listen at the same time – use visual aids to highlight your points.
• One message per visual aid, for example, on a slide there should only be one key point.
• Use visual aids in moderation – they are additions meant to emphasise and support main points.
• Ensure that your presentation still works without your visual aids in case of technical problems.

10-20-30 slideshow rule

Slideshows are widely used for presentations because it’s easy to create attractive and professional presentations using them. Guy Kawasaki, an entrepreneur and author, suggests that slideshows should  follow a 10-20-30 rule :

• There should be a maximum of 10 slides – people rarely remember more than one concept afterwards so there’s no point overwhelming them with unnecessary information.
• The presentation should last no longer than 20 minutes as this will leave time for questions and discussion.
• The font size should be a minimum of 30pt because the audience reads faster than you talk so less information on the slides means that there is less chance of the audience being distracted.

If you want to give the audience more information you can provide them with partially completed handouts or give them the handouts after you’ve delivered the presentation.

Keep a drink nearby

Have something to drink when you’re on stage, preferably water at room temperature. This will help maintain your vocal quality and having a sip is a subtle way of introducing pauses.

Practice, practice, practice

If you are very familiar with the content of your presentation, your audience will perceive you as confident and you’ll be more persuasive.

• Don’t just read the presentation through – practice everything,  including your transitions  and using your visual aids.
• Stand up and speak it aloud, in an engaging manner, as though you were presenting to an audience.
• Ensure that you practice your body language and gesturing.
• Use VR to  practice in a realistic environment .
• Practice in front of others and get their feedback.
• Freely improvise so you’ll sound more natural on the day. Don’t learn your presentation verbatim because you will sound uninterested and if you lose focus then you may forget everything.
• Create cards to use as cues – one card should be used for one key idea. Write down brief notes or key words and ensure that the cards are physically connected so the order cannot be lost. Visual prompts can also be used as cues.

This video shows how you can practice presentations in virtual reality. See our  VR training courses .

Two courses where you can practice your presentations in interactive exercises:

• Essential Public Speaking
• How to Present over Video

Try these different presentation delivery methods to see which ones you prefer and which need to be improved. The most important factor is to feel comfortable during the presentation as the delivery is likely to be better.

Remember that the audience are generally on your side – they want you to do well so present with confidence.

Active Listening Skills: Definition, How to Improve Active Listening

Do you remember ever being in a lecture, hearing your teacher explain something about a topic, and yet, feeling like you didn’t take anything from it at the end of the lesson? Or do you remember ever being in conversation with someone and, shortly after, not being able to recall the details of what the person told you? 

Active listening is a technique that consists of making a conscious effort to stay present enough to listen attentively to a message, retain valuable details of it, reflect on it and respond to it from a place of genuine understanding . 

Active Listening is one of the top 15 interpersonal skills all leaders should master , more on that in our other article on this site. Now, let’s learn more about how to practice active listening and improve your overall communication skills.

7 Tips on How To Practice Active Listening 

If you want to master this technique and use it effectively, there’s a list of practices that you should consider trying. Namely: 

1. Pay Attention To The Message

The first key to active listening practice is the deliberate effort to pay attention to what is being said and focus on the message beyond the word choice. If you can master this step, you’re well on your way to learning active listening. 

2. Stop Yourself From Making Judgments

By winning the urge to engage in your thoughts about what you hear, you will allow yourself to listen from a neutral point, expanding, therefore, your perspective. 

3. Show That You’re Present in Mind and Body and Give Feedback 

Yet, make sure you’re truthful when doing it. 

4. Reflect on What is Being Said 

A reflection is an analysis with the intention of deep understanding, while passing judgment is exterior and a mechanism that anticipates a response or reaction. 

With that being said, do make sure you reflect on what you listened to, as that gives you better chances of being on the same thought level as the speaker. 

5. Take Notes and Ask Questions

Take notes, as you listen, of the central and most essential points of the message. For unclear points or those you haven’t entirely understood, pose questions that will help you clarify them.

6. Summarize The Overall Message

This point is mainly used in written communication, yet you can also apply it to live verbal communication. 

After listening and posing questions, quickly go through the main points of the message with the speaker, confirming if your understanding matches the message that he intended to transmit. That way, if there are any hiccups or any points to be understood, you can revise them and clarify them.

7. Share Your Insight on The Topic

Practicing these techniques will help you become better at active listening. But, if you want to become a better listener, you will need to undergo a profound transformation of character and gain skills that might have seemed irrelevant to you in the past and yet will make active listening practice more natural to you.

How Active Listening Skills Improve Communication

Developing your active listening skills is a key step in the journey to improve your overall communication skills, because it trains patience, openness, empathy, attention to detail, self-reflection, and sit builds confidence. By actively listening, you are a more engaging conversationalist, and you learn enough to confidently address the topic at hand.

1. Patience

2. openness , 3. curiosity.

Since it is one of the main things that will keep you engaged when listening without responding. It will also drive you to pay attention to missing details that you need to clarify to understand the message. 

4. Mindfulness

5. self-awareness, 6. attention to detail, 7. ability to reflect and use reason .

Since reflection is a vast, significant part of active listening, and reason is the key to logically looking at and thinking of what’s being said. This duo will ensure that you follow the speaker’s  train of thought and truly understand the message.

8. Calmness

9. good observational skills and problem sensitivity , 10. emotional intelligence , 11. courtesy, 12. humility.

Because people who lack this trait will have a more challenging time putting their pride and ego aside to listen, especially when the message is unpleasant to them or attacking their character in any way.

13. Proactivity

14. empathy , 15. confidence (speaking).

Highly Recommended Next Articles to Read Next

5 KEY LEARNINGS TO DEVELOP GOOD SOCIAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

10 characteristics of effective communication, 10 traits of a great conversation.

Sometimes starting and maintaining a conversation seems to be the most complicated thing, or because we don’t know how to act, what to say or why people don’t seem to want to be around us, yet these days end here. In this article, we will discuss the essence of a conversation, what we should avoid,…

5 Examples of Active Listening 

Building rapport.

Consists of establishing trust with the person you’re talking to, making them comfortable with you, and building affinity. It can be done either by offering help, making a compliment, or even a positive observation.

Demonstrating Concern

Paraphrasing.

This technique is very effective for both demonstrating that you’re listening and retaining information since, by paraphrasing, you’re repeating the information that you were given. Repetition is considered one of the most effective methods of assimilating information. 

Using Non-verbal and Verbal Cues

This technique is also effective for building rapport as people tend to lean towards similar people who have a sense of familiarity. 

Asking Questions

Sharing similar experiences (to show understanding) .

This proves that you are paying attention and shows that you understand what the speaker is talking about, whether that’s a generic topic or a personal experience. In case of problems, this is also really effective to prove that you can help solve them. 

Giving Your Opinion

The Big Bang Theory Active Listening – english sub   

Benefits of Active Listening 

Active listening will benefit you and your life in many areas. Mainly in your:

Relationships 

Work and career.

It’s also helpful for people who work in areas where there’s a lot of interaction with customers. 

Social Life

Active listening is a valuable skill when socializing because people love to feel heard and seen. By listening actively, you learn more from and about the people you’re interacting with, maximizing the chances of forming valuable and long-lasting connections. 

Further Readings

Similar posts, formal communication – 5 things to know, 7 oratory secrets: how to give an effective oratorical speech, how to improve your communication skills – 7 essential tips, why a speech outline is important, improving verbal and written communication skills – an easy guide, 9 ways to improve written and verbal communication skills.

• PRESENTATION SKILLS

What is a Presentation?

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• Deciding the Presentation Method
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The formal presentation of information is divided into two broad categories: Presentation Skills and Personal Presentation .

These two aspects are interwoven and can be described as the preparation, presentation and practice of verbal and non-verbal communication. 

This article describes what a presentation is and defines some of the key terms associated with presentation skills.

Many people feel terrified when asked to make their first public talk.  Some of these initial fears can be reduced by good preparation that also lays the groundwork for making an effective presentation.

A Presentation Is...

A presentation is a means of communication that can be adapted to various speaking situations, such as talking to a group, addressing a meeting or briefing a team.

A presentation can also be used as a broad term that encompasses other ‘speaking engagements’ such as making a speech at a wedding, or getting a point across in a video conference.

To be effective, step-by-step preparation and the method and means of presenting the information should be carefully considered. 

A presentation requires you to get a message across to the listeners and will often contain a ' persuasive ' element. It may, for example, be a talk about the positive work of your organisation, what you could offer an employer, or why you should receive additional funding for a project.

The Key Elements of a Presentation

Making a presentation is a way of communicating your thoughts and ideas to an audience and many of our articles on communication are also relevant here, see: What is Communication? for more.

Consider the following key components of a presentation:

Ask yourself the following questions to develop a full understanding of the context of the presentation.

When and where will you deliver your presentation?

There is a world of difference between a small room with natural light and an informal setting, and a huge lecture room, lit with stage lights. The two require quite different presentations, and different techniques.

Will it be in a setting you are familiar with, or somewhere new?

If somewhere new, it would be worth trying to visit it in advance, or at least arriving early, to familiarise yourself with the room.

Will the presentation be within a formal or less formal setting?

A work setting will, more or less by definition, be more formal, but there are also various degrees of formality within that.

Will the presentation be to a small group or a large crowd?

Are you already familiar with the audience?

With a new audience, you will have to build rapport quickly and effectively, to get them on your side.

What equipment and technology will be available to you, and what will you be expected to use?

In particular, you will need to ask about microphones and whether you will be expected to stand in one place, or move around.

What is the audience expecting to learn from you and your presentation?

Check how you will be ‘billed’ to give you clues as to what information needs to be included in your presentation.

All these aspects will change the presentation. For more on this, see our page on Deciding the Presentation Method .

The role of the presenter is to communicate with the audience and control the presentation.

Remember, though, that this may also include handing over the control to your audience, especially if you want some kind of interaction.

You may wish to have a look at our page on Facilitation Skills for more.

The audience receives the presenter’s message(s).

However, this reception will be filtered through and affected by such things as the listener’s own experience, knowledge and personal sense of values.

See our page: Barriers to Effective Communication to learn why communication can fail.

The message or messages are delivered by the presenter to the audience.

The message is delivered not just by the spoken word ( verbal communication ) but can be augmented by techniques such as voice projection, body language, gestures, eye contact ( non-verbal communication ), and visual aids.

The message will also be affected by the audience’s expectations. For example, if you have been billed as speaking on one particular topic, and you choose to speak on another, the audience is unlikely to take your message on board even if you present very well . They will judge your presentation a failure, because you have not met their expectations.

The audience’s reaction and therefore the success of the presentation will largely depend upon whether you, as presenter, effectively communicated your message, and whether it met their expectations.

As a presenter, you don’t control the audience’s expectations. What you can do is find out what they have been told about you by the conference organisers, and what they are expecting to hear. Only if you know that can you be confident of delivering something that will meet expectations.

See our page: Effective Speaking for more information.

How will the presentation be delivered?

Presentations are usually delivered direct to an audience.  However, there may be occasions where they are delivered from a distance over the Internet using video conferencing systems, such as Skype.

It is also important to remember that if your talk is recorded and posted on the internet, then people may be able to access it for several years. This will mean that your contemporaneous references should be kept to a minimum.

Impediments

Many factors can influence the effectiveness of how your message is communicated to the audience.

For example background noise or other distractions, an overly warm or cool room, or the time of day and state of audience alertness can all influence your audience’s level of concentration.

As presenter, you have to be prepared to cope with any such problems and try to keep your audience focussed on your message.   

Our page: Barriers to Communication explains these factors in more depth.

Continue to read through our Presentation Skills articles for an overview of how to prepare and structure a presentation, and how to manage notes and/or illustrations at any speaking event.

Continue to: Preparing for a Presentation Deciding the Presentation Method

See also: Writing Your Presentation | Working with Visual Aids Coping with Presentation Nerves | Dealing with Questions Learn Better Presentation Skills with TED Talks

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Presentation Skills: 16 tips for effective presentations

A successful presentation requires good presentation skills and effective presentation techniques. Here we provide you with 15 presentation tips for effective presentations. Whether you are an experienced presenter, or just starting out, there should be ideas here to help you improve your presentation skills.

Presenting successfully: 16 tips to improve your presentation skills and give a killer presentation 

How do you give a good presentation this is how to succeed.

In order to be able to present successfully, not only the layout and the content of the presentation must be convincing. The decisive step is to convey the content of the presentation to the audience in the best possible way by presenting it correctly. The tips listed below should help you do this by improving your presentation skills. The most important thing to keep in mind is a healthy combination of the tips listed below. (The order of the tips does not give any information about their importance).

Not every tip will lead to a successful presentation. What is important in a presentation?

As mentioned earlier, you should try to implement a combination of the tips to give a successful presentation. It should be noted that not every one of these tips needs to fit in your own presentation. In addition, too many of these tips can make the presentation look overloaded and too "rehearsed". Therefore, think carefully in advance about what you want to pay particular attention to.

Here are 16 tips for killer presentations:

Tip 1: maintain eye contact while presenting and smile.

In order to give each of your listeners the feeling of being important and to make them feel personally addressed, it is particularly important to maintain eye contact with the audience during the presentation. Not only does this exude confidence, but it also helps your audience to connect with you and your subject. It also helps you feel less nervous.  Easier said than done right? Here's what can help:

Find someone in the audience who seems to be genuinely interested in the topic and is listening attentively (for example, your lecturer). Make eye contact with this person at the beginning of the presentation. Once you start feeling more calm and confident let your gaze drift over the audience to address the other listeners as well. Keep returning your gaze to the initial person to stay calm throughout the whole presentation.

Another alternative is to find a fixed point in the room (preferably on the wall behind the audience) which you fix at the beginning of the presentation. Similar to the first example, after you have achieved confidence, you can let your gaze wander over the audience and return to the previously selected fixed point again and again.

Don't look at the screen! Don't look at the floor! Don't just look at your index cards! Don't just look at the laptop!

Tip 2: Use of gestures and facial expressions

To emphasize the content of your presentation, it is advisable to use appropriate gestures and body language to get your message across. Avoid crossed arms, hands behind your back, or in your pockets during a presentation.  Always stand up straight, and try not to appear tense or stressed. You can do that by using your hands and arms to emphasize what you are saying and get your message across.  Your facial expressions should always be friendly and open. Smile and show that you enjoy the topic and you are confident in the information you are presenting.

Tip 3: Avoid distractions

Often you will not be able to avoid the use of aids. For example, you may need to use a laser pointer to show something on the screen, or you may need to use a pen to write something down on a flipchart. To avoid distractions for you and the audience, get into the habit of putting down tools you don't need! That way you will not be tempted to deal with them in the first place. You will also have your hands free for gestures.

Tip 4: Be prepared: Practice makes perfect

Practice makes perfect, right? If you prepare well before the presentation, you will feel more relaxed and confident while presenting and it will also improve your body language. 

Here are some ways to help you prepare for a presentation:

Rehearse in front of a crowd

Time yourself

Record yourself

Tip 5: Be confident

By appearing self-confident, you convey to the listener that you are confident in your topic and have prepared yourself sufficiently. Try to relax and not appear too stressed or nervous. Another tip for advanced speakers: Step out in front of the podium and walk around the room and get closer to the audience. This also exudes self-confidence and helps in attracting your audience's attention.

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Tip 6: Effective beginning/end

Good presentation skills can help you in captivating your audience straight away. In order to do that, you should start your presentation with a bang. Many studies show that if you can capture someone’s interest straight away, there’s a good chance they’ll listen to the rest of the presentation. Shock the audience, ask them to imagine something or think of a what-if situation, share a personal story, share a joke, u se a quote, or a video. You should also give an overview of the time and structure of your presentation. This outline should run through your presentation so that you can always assign the individual contents to an outline point. It is also helpful for your audience to have the outline displayed in a slimmed-down form during the whole presentation.

How you end the presentation is as important as how you start it. A weak ending will leave the audience uninspired. But a good ending will motivate them and help them walk away on a positive note. For example, include a call to action, end the presentation with a memorable quote, or a personal story, and don't forget to thank and acknowledge the audience. 

Tip 7: Speak freely

The headline speaks for itself. To make the presentation as lively and enjoyable as possible, you should avoid reading it off. Speak freely, slowly, and clearly. If you are not yet confident in what you are presenting, try using note cards. But keep in mind: No continuous text, but only short, concise bullet points! If you use note cards to support you, it is especially advisable at this point to memorize at least the beginning and end of your presentation, as eye contact is crucial at these points.

Tip 8: Avoid filler words

In order to make your presentation flow as smoothly and confidently as possible, you should avoid using filler words such as "um," "so," and so on. For your listeners, these words convey insecurity and inadequate preparation.

Tip 9: Bring along something to share

In addition to a handout, other small takeaways can also significantly improve your presentation. For example, if you are giving a presentation on gummy bears, why not offer some to your audience? If you are giving a presentation about your fishing hobby, why not show the audience your fishing equipment?

Tip 10: Use different types of media

A presentation can quickly become boring and monotonous. To avoid this, it is advisable to use different types of media. For example, combine videos and flipcharts, use the whiteboard, or show something practical on a model. This will increase the attention of your audience enormously and will help in keeping them engaged until the end.

Tip 11: Use effective pauses

When giving a presentation, you should keep in mind that you have already heard the content several times - your audience probably hasn't! Therefore, give your audience enough time to read and understand the content of your slides.

Effective use of speech pauses is a master technique. It is one of the most versatile tools in a presenter's toolbox. Yet very few people perform it well. A pause, if used correctly, can add a great deal to your presentation or speech. Pause before, during, or after saying something that you would like to emphasize. Pausing between two different parts of your presentation can indicate to the audience that something new is coming. A quick pause could also help you in remembering your next point, without the audience noticing that you forgot what to say.

Tip 12: Speak the language of the audience

When creating your presentation, you should already think about your target audience. This will help you present successfully later on. It is especially important that you speak the language of the audience. Use appropriate and relevant examples. Use "strong" and meaningful words in short sentences to avoid losing the audience. Make sure to use appropriate analogies and anecdotes and avoid foreign words, empty phrases, and clichés. If you have to use foreign words, explain them in a handout or footnote within the presentation.

Tip 13: Engage with the audience

Always try to keep the attention of your audience and keep them engaged during a presentation. To do this, it is advisable to regularly involve the audience. One way to do this is to ask questions. Deliberately ask "easy" questions so that can easily be answered by your audience. Another way to involve the audience in your presentation is by interacting with them. To make a point clearer, you can use an example to explain it in more detail, using a person (whose name you should know). You can address participants directly and refer to their work.

Tip 14: Don't fight the stage fright & take deep breaths

Stage fright is one of the biggest enemies of a presentation, yet you shouldn't let yourself be a victim of your feat. Do not fight it, rather address your fear and try and accept it, and transform it into positive enthusiasm. Don't let your stage fright get you all worked up and nervous. Take a couple of deep breaths to get oxygen to your brain and relax your body.

Tip 15: Choose the right angle on standing during a presentation

One of the most frequent questions that speakers ask themselves during a presentation is, how do I best position myself, and where do I stand in front of the audience?

You have a free stage without a podium

In many cases, you will be facing your audience in a "free space", without a podium. This gives you a lot of room to move, but at the same time, it creates uncertainty because you don't know how to position yourself properly or how to move. Avoid standing frontally in front of the audience! This frontal facing is unconsciously perceived negatively by the audience. It is perceived by the audience as a kind of frontal attack and causes stress in your audience. Make sure to stand slightly to the side of the audience. If you notice during the presentation that you are again standing frontally in front of your audience, simply move your right or left foot 20 cm forward.

You have a podium at your disposal

A podium makes it easier to decide how to position yourself and where to stand in front of the audience. In order not to make your presentation too monotonous, it is advisable to leave the "safe position" behind the lectern from time to time, e.g. to walk to the other side of the screen or to show something on the flipchart. This brings movement into your presentation and helps keep the connection with your audience.

Tip 16: Create something with the whiteboard during the lecture

PowerPoint is no longer the tool of choice for a successful presentation. Photo collages, company logos on every slide and flashing text boxes often distract from the essentials. A presentation convinces the audience especially when they witness how something is being created. In addition to the classic flipchart, the whiteboard is recommended for this purpose. This is because diagrams, keywords and the results of a brainstorming session are written in real time on a whiteboard. Board markers allow a wide range of colors and the magnetic property of pinning additional information. The result of the presentation produced in this way is remembered longer than ready-made slides.

Björn Rolleter

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22 Important Teamwork Skills (With Examples)

• Most Common Skills
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Find a Job You Really Want In

Teamwork skills are usually at the top of hiring managers’ lists of requirements for job candidates. Because of this, if you’re applying for a job, you need to know how to highlight your abilities in this area on your resume.

In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common teamwork skills and how to include them in your resume.

Key Takeaways:

Teamwork is essential to any successful endeavor, whether the goal is creating the next great innovation in environmental technology or running a profitable farm.

Having a variety of soft skills related to working effectively on a team can increase your odds of being hired, and exceeding expectations as an employee.

Some of the top teamwork skills are communication, active listening, and accountability.

What are teamwork skills?

Types and examples of teamwork skills, team roles: where do your teamwork skills shine, how to highlight teamwork skills on a resume, how to improve your teamwork skills, teamwork traits faq.

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Teamwork skills refer to your ability to work well with other people , in both a one-on-one capacity and in a group setting.

You’re probably familiar with team-building from when you played soccer in high school or participated in a club. The introduction of these skills early on is for good reason. They’re needed for practically every interaction, professional or personal, you’ll have in the future.

Employers seek to hire applicants with teamwork skills because they want to advance their community, as opposed to disrupting it. Listing examples of your teamwork skills in your resume can greatly improve your chances of getting a job .

Teamwork skills involve everything from communication to self-awareness. Being a team player isn’t just one distinct quality: It’s a collection of many soft skills that may come naturally to you or that you can improve on to make yourself a more competitive applicant and competent employee.

Teamwork skills examples include:

Communication. Good communication skills are arguably some of the most valuable skills team members can have. Businesses need effective communicators on their staff for projects to run smoothly and for clients’ needs to be met properly.

Communication is more than simply being confident in your conversational skills. It’s the summation of many good communication habits.

Effective team communication relies on:

Active listening skills

Being friendly

Email communication

Paying attention to body language

Understanding your audience

Accurately express your ideas

Asking questions when needed

Conflict management. Facing conflict happens at some point at every level in the workforce. How you deal with conflict speaks volumes about your skills as an employee in any field and can greatly improve your career growth.

A candidate with strong conflict management skills looks at disagreement on your team as an opportunity for further clarification and collaboration.

Constructive conflict management techniques include:

Always being open to discussion

Remaining unbiased

Addressing issues immediately

Actively listening before a response

Effective negotiation

Solution-based strategic thinking

Active listening. Many of the abilities needed to be a great team player are based on listening skills. The concept of listening isn’t nearly as exciting for most people as speaking and expressing their own views, but it’s vital to a functional team.

However, active listening involves more than just sitting back and collecting the general idea of your team’s input. It’s a process of connection where both the speaker and the listener can leave the interaction feeling satisfied with their understanding.

Active listening skills include:

Giving your undivided attention to the speaker

Paying attention to nonverbal cues

Making eye contact

Repeating points for clarification

Asking questions

Reliability. Your team needs to know wholeheartedly that they can rely on you. Being a reliable part of a team means accomplishing the job requirements and finishing assignments before their deadline.

If employers find your reliability skills questionable, they may doubt your ability to be an effective team member. This can result in landing fewer positions or not being trusted to handle leadership roles .

Being reliable usually involves:

Being on time

Staying organized

Taking notes

Meeting deadlines

Double-checking your work

Asking questions if you don’t understand something

Respectfulness. Being respectful to everyone at your job makes for a much more comfortable work environment. This is a quality you should carry to all your professional interactions, whether you’re a supervisor giving constructive criticism to an employee or collaborating with a co-worker .

Respectful employees are sought after by hiring managers because they create a better work atmosphere, and that makes for increased productivity.

Here are some examples of how you can demonstrate respectfulness:

Graciously accepting feedback

Asking rather than demanding

Explaining the “why” behind your decisions to your employees

Believing the best about people until proven otherwise

Staying professional even when you’re upset

Complimenting more than you criticize

Politely taking your concerns to your boss in private rather than arguing with them in a team meeting

Ability to build rapport. Rapport in your professional life can be summed up as working in productive harmony with your supervisor and coworkers. In addition to working professionally with your team, you can also have enthusiastic conversations with them.

Being able to openly exchange dialogue like this is important for a team to meet its full capacity. Having rapport with coworkers allows for dialogue and a healthy exchange of ideas. This can lead to better planning, innovation, and an overall more enjoyable workday.

Techniques for building rapport include:

Maintaining eye contact

Friendliness

Being honest

Asking coworkers questions about themselves

Finding commonalities

Displaying empathy and interest

Following up on past conversations

Accountability. Holding yourself accountable for your work is a desirable teamwork skill. It allows your coworkers to trust you. Nobody wants to deal with team members who shift blame for faults or can’t acknowledge their mistakes.

Accountability is important for employers building a team because if you hold yourself accountable, you won’t want to present anything other than your best work.

Here are some examples of accountability skills in the workplace:

Immediately owning, apologizing for, and addressing mistakes

Being honest about your abilities

Setting and reaching goals

Graciously receiving feedback

Creativity. It’s always possible for a company or project to succeed by sticking to the norm for how things are done. However, building a team of creative thinkers can greatly improve your chances of advancing. Hiring managers seek out creative applicants because their outside-the-box thinking can drive innovation in their organization.

Here are some creative skills to hone:

Networking with a wide variety of people

Listening/observing

Problem-solving

Decision-making. Decisiveness can make you a competitive job applicant when supervisors are considering who will make their team run more effectively. This doesn’t mean making decisions for the whole group without considering alternative input, but instead being able to contribute to decision-making on a team.

Decision-making skills include:

Gaining a complete understanding of the project or problem

Considering various plans to reach goals

Using critical thinking

Effective communication

Implementing solutions

Delegating. Functional teams often have leaders with powerful delegation skills. Delegating means clearly assigning tasks and deadlines to the team members best equipped to handle them.

Unless everyone knows exactly what they’re responsible for, there will be chaos. Being a successful delegator is very important for team dynamics because, without it, tasks can often be mismanaged.

Strong delegating skills involve:

Clearly explaining guidelines and expectations

Communicating well

Defining roles

People management

Setting reachable goals

Collaboration

Encouragement. People like to be recognized for their accomplishments .

Part of being a supportive team member is being able to encourage your coworkers for a job well done. Encouragement can also be an important skill to use for team motivation when things need to improve. Constructive criticism isn’t supposed to be mean or harsh: It’s meant to encourage your team towards improvement.

Encouragement skills include:

Complimenting

Communicating areas for improvement in a positive way

Giving recognition for accomplishments and growth

Supporting coworkers or employees in reaching their goals

Innovation. We exist in an ever-changing world. Part of being successful in it is continuously progressing. Being innovative can make you a more desirable employee because it means you’ll be bringing in new ideas and ways of doing things to the team.

Being innovative requires:

Keeping up with new industry technology and best practices

Using critical thinking skills

Creative problem-solving

Strong research skills

Optimizing systems and processes

Organization. At some point or another, every employee has let their organizational skills slip, and their work likely suffered as a result.

It can be a time-consuming headache to correct oversights made by poor organizational skills . Being organized is especially important when it comes to being a team player because everyone can be affected by your mistakes. A team that seamlessly organizes their work in coordination with each other will have much better results than one operating in chaos.

Being an organized team member involves:

Keeping track of deadlines

Planning ahead

Adhering to a set schedule

Time-management skills

Attention to detail

Setting and meeting goals

Persuasion. Persuasion isn’t a slimy, underhanded way of getting people to bend to your will. It’s actually a very reputable skill that plays a key role in good teamwork and management.

Persuasion is described as getting someone to change, do, or consider something different. Within your team, persuasion can be useful in providing motivation and communication.

Persuasion can look like:

Convincing team members to use a more efficient project management software

Motivating underperforming team members to work harder on a project

Encouraging a team to support a new company policy or project

Leading a team to meet their goals

Project management. Being successful in your projects is the goal for all organizations. Project management skills are important for leaders building a strong team.

They want to know that the work they assign will be handled well and promptly. In addition, project management skills mean that you can effectively organize and delegate tasks.

Project management skills involve:

Strong communication

Giving feedback

Maintaining a positive attitude

Organization

Being detail-oriented

Prioritization

Project planning. Having skills in project planning is all about being ahead of the curve. Unforeseen events can occur. Issues can and probably will arise.

However, thanks to your forethought, there aren’t any overly negative consequences that can’t be fixed. Planning skills can greatly improve the effectiveness of a team and the success of an individual project.

Here are a few planning skills to work on developing:

Time management

Risk management

Adaptability

Receiving feedback. One of the most valuable tools a team has for resolving problems is giving and receiving useful feedback . The ability to utilize relevant feedback from your coworkers and supervisors to improve your job performance is beneficial for an entire team’s function.

Even though getting positive feedback may feel great, hearing suggestions on how you could advance your work can be even more essential to your success. Being able to take negative feedback and turn it into improvement in work is an extremely valuable asset to have in any job.

Here are some skills this practice requires:

Self-awareness

Goal setting

Presentation. Presentation skills are something you’ll eventually need when working on a team. Presentations can bring up a bit of performance anxiety for a lot of people.

The truth is, presenting doesn’t have to be a performance and isn’t nearly as scary. A good presentation comes from a place of authenticity. Having presentation skills means being able to accurately and concisely articulate points and plans.

Utilizing presentation skills can help:

Motivate and connect a team

Outline detailed plans for success

Stimulate customer relations

Improve workplace confidence

Reach goals

Self-awareness. For a team to work in cohesion, each of its contributors must have skills in self-awareness. It’s difficult to be a helpful member of a team when you don’t understand yourself and how you come across to others.

It requires enough mindfulness to see yourself in a realistic light — both your strengths and weaknesses. When each member of a team applies self-awareness, it can have beneficial impacts on their productivity and coordination.

Here are some signs you have strong self-awareness:

Articulating your needs and feelings in a constructive way

Recognizing other people’s needs and feelings

Understanding how your actions and behaviors affect others

Asking for help

Learning from your mistakes

Actively developing your skills

Supportiveness. A professional team should care about each other as much as they do the project at hand. A supportive environment is easier to work in. That’s a setting leaders want to foster.

Being a supportive team player involves:

Listening to your team members

Giving relevant resources

Asking questions and being curious

Good rapport

Offering advice and help

Time management. We have a lot to balance in the time we’re given. Social lives, family priorities, and work can end up feeling like they need more than 24 hours in a day to be fully tended to.

Being good with time management can have ripple effects on the quality of work you produce. Being able to efficiently balance your time can improve your team skills by making you a more reliable coworker.

Time management skills include:

Setting realistic goals

Maintaining a strict schedule

Knowing and meeting deadlines

Prioritizing tasks

Immediately addressing issues

Trustworthiness. Trust within a team is essential for working well together. It’s an all-around important skill for employees to have no matter if they’re the boss or a recent hire.

A supervisor needs to trust their team to get a job done, and employees need to trust that their boss is looking out for their best interests. Without trust, many other skills associated with teamwork can’t be done effectively.

Trust within a team is needed for:

Communication

Supportiveness

Conflict management

Teams are naturally made up of individuals with different strengths and weaknesses. Part of honing and showcasing your teamwork skills is leaning into your natural role on a team and avoiding elements of teamwork that aren’t in your wheelhouse.

Modern companies often break down teams based on “Belbin Team Roles,” a framework devised by Dr. Meredith Belbin that helps organize teams more effectively.

Three categories (social, thinking, and action) are broken down into nine total team roles:

Coordinator. This is the big-picture person who keeps everyone else on the right track. They recognize strengths and weaknesses in others, create goals, and delegate tasks. Coordinators have to be careful not to over-delegate, leaving themselves without any further contributions to make to the team.

Resource investigator. This individual is outgoing and enthusiastic. They are constantly curious about learning new ways of doing things and always bring fresh ideas to the table. Their biggest weakness is that they have trouble following through on a plan once the initial excitement has worn off.

Team worker. Think of this as your auxiliary team member who’s always willing to step in to help when needed. They’re perceptive, cooperative, and great listeners.

Team workers’ only weakness is that they can be hesitant about making unpopular decisions because they’re too focused on avoiding conflict.

Monitor evaluator. This is your team’s logician; the person who’s constantly looking for the best strategy for a project. They’re impartial and fair judges.

Monitor evaluators’ most significant flaw is “paralysis by analysis” — they’re often slow to come to a decision because they spend a lot of time verifying that it’s the right one.

Plant. A plant is your team’s creative powerhouse. They’re great at brainstorming and coming up with innovative solutions to problems. Plants might struggle to communicate their wild ideas and can become forgetful about small, but important, details of a project.

Specialist. This team member is an absolute expert in one particular aspect of their field. They’re the go-to person when an issue relating to their specialty pops up.

A specialist’s biggest flaw is that they struggle to think outside their narrow view of things. They might also be the type to present massive amounts of information without providing adequate context to make it useful.

Complete finisher. This is the team member who makes sure that the final product is 100% perfect and error-free. They’re the quality control types who will never stop looking for ways to improve things.

Complete finishers can fall victim to perfectionism and struggle to trust others to complete tasks up to their standard.

Implementer. Implementers are practical people who do the heavy lifting in getting a team from Point A to Point B. They take ideas and turn them into highly efficient actions.

These team members don’t like it when a plan changes halfway through and can be a bit inflexible about changing what they saw as the best course of action.

Shaper. This is the “get things done” person on your team. They provide motivation and vision for the team and lead by example with tireless energy and momentum.

Shapers need to be careful that they don’t become too aggressive in putting a project’s success over the team’s well-being.

To highlight teamwork skills on a resume, pay attention to the teamwork-related requirements in the job description and incorporate the ones that describe you into the work experience and skills section of your resume.

When you’re reading a job description, pay attention to words that indicate teamwork in the workplace like:

Collaborate

Relationship-building

Team-player

Seeing as most large companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes for keywords, it’s imperative that you mimic language from the job description to describe your accomplishments and skills.

Let’s take a look at an example:

Teamwork Skills on a Resume Work Experience SectionExample Work experience Collaborated with Sales and Product teams to develop marketing campaigns, resulting in increased annual sales of new products by 51% Developed and managed a cross-functional team to find cost-saving measures, saving over $50K in overhead costs each quarter Worked with an international team of 12 contractors virtually to design, write, and code landing pages that exceeded our 20% conversion goal

You can also include “Teamwork” or one of its related words in your skills section . However, it’s always more powerful to show examples of your teamwork throughout your resume. If you can include quantifiable results of your using those skills, that will have an even greater impact.

But, if you need to put some of them in your skills section, here’s an example of how you’d do that:

Teamwork Skills on a Resume Skills Section Example Skills Project management Strong communicator Organized Conflict management

Teamwork skills are made up of soft skills, which are less straightforward to improve than hard skills. However, it’s still possible to start honing your teamwork skills today.

Practice at work. Start volunteering to help your team out more and learn where your skills are most needed and valued. Look for opportunities to work with new people so that you can practice building interpersonal relationships with a diverse set of individuals.

Get feedback. One of the easiest ways to develop goals for your teamwork skills is to ask your team members for feedback. Ask a friend, coworker, mentor , or supervisor to evaluate your ability to work with a team. Try to get honest feedback on both your strengths and weaknesses, so you know where to direct your efforts.

Observe your team. There are probably people on your team who you admire for their ability to collaborate. Observe their behaviors and words to learn what exactly you find so admirable about them. Then, try to incorporate those same qualities into your life at work.

Set goals. After you’ve identified areas for improvement, set concrete goals for your teamwork skills. Check in early and often with your teammates and supervisor to get continuous feedback on the adjustments you begin to make. Others will recognize your enhanced collaborative abilities, which will provide motivation to keep becoming a better team member.

What are three important skills for teamwork and collaboration?

Three important skills for teamwork and collaboration are communication, conflict management, and active listening. In addition, reliability, respectfulness, and accountability are also important teamwork skills.

What are good teamwork questions?

Some good teamwork questions include:

Tell me about a time you worked successfully as a part of a team.

Give me some examples of your teamwork skills.

Tell me about a time you’ve dealt with a difficult team member.

Do you prefer working independently or as a part of a team?

What does teamwork mean to you?

How do I say I have good teamwork skills?

You say you have good teamwork skills by sharing examples of your skills in your resume and interview. This means using action verbs like, “collaborated,” “partnered,” and “networked.” It also means sharing examples of when you built relationships, led a team, or helped out a coworker.

Rasmussen University – The Importance of Teamwork Skills in Work and School

Herzing University – 7 Important Teamwork Skills You Need in School and Your Career

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Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.

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Strengthen presentation skills with Speaker Coach

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Concise and clear speaking is an essential communication skill that employers value. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers , approximately 96 percent of businesses view oral and written communication as an essential competency but only 42 percent of employees are proficient at these skills. In classrooms there is always someone presenting information. Whether students are engaging in discussion or giving reports, or educators are presenting new material or conferencing with students, presentation skills are critical.

Speaker Coach , a Microsoft Learning Accelerator , enhances both foundational and workplace skills. With a focus on public speaking, Speaker Coach uses innovative technology that automatically analyzes a speaker’s communication style and helps them present information more effectively. Whether they are a native speaker or an English Language Learner, any student will benefit from the practical feedback and custom reports that highlight areas of strength and ways to improve delivery. Speaker Coach helps students not only build critical skills, but they also develop confidence in their speaking abilities while practicing.

Designed for student-driven learning and educator freedom

Intelligent, automatic help is one of many reasons why educators choose to use Speaker Coach with their students. Like other Learning Accelerators, Speaker Coach offers:

• Real-time coaching: Immediate personalized coaching and practice for students
• Inclusive design: Students can practice where they feel most comfortable and use built-in accessibility tools that increase access
• Time-saving efficiency: Learning Accelerators are built into Microsoft 365 and offer technology-assisted learning instead of teacher-directed instruction
• Actionable insights: Help track progress, display where students are challenged and excelling, and provide a more holistic view of student progress

More importantly, Speaker Coach incorporates good pedagogy. Students oversee their own learning by following detailed, pragmatic feedback that can be applied to the task at hand: improving communication clarity and enhancing public speaking skills. The analysis also enables students to learn whenever and wherever it is most convenient without needing someone else to participate.

From individual support to following a curriculum pacing guide, educators have more teaching commitments than time to complete all that is required of them. That makes Speaker Coach a valuable tool for educators; it frees time for other tasks because students can use Speaker Coach’s automatic feedback instead of direct teacher intervention. Mike Thomas, Senior Digital Learning Analyst for Springfield Public Schools, believes that Speaker Coach and other Learning Accelerators positively impact teaching in his district:

School is 180 days at six hours a day, and we must prioritize what is being taught. By having these tools available, it puts less focus trying to always deliver. It gives students the ability to learn for themselves. With tools like Reading Progress, Immersive Reader, and now Speaker Coach, I think we can take that student empowerment to the next level.” Mike Thomas, Senior Digital Learning Analyst for Springfield Public Schools

Perfect your next PowerPoint presentation

Get feedback on your presentation

Speaker Coach in PowerPoint provides suggestions while a student speaks, and it delivers a tailored, final report that is packed with ways to improve their delivery. Using a computer’s camera and microphone, Speaker Coach analyzes key qualities of effective communication:

• Pace: Monitor speed and receive pacing suggestions that increase audience recall and comprehension
• Filler Words: Highlight frequently used filler words like “um” and “you know”
• Pitch: Listen for monotone pitch that can negatively affect messaging
• Pronunciation: Isolate indistinct pronunciation or mispronunciation
• Originality: Call out instances when reading directly from a slide
• Inclusiveness: Discover when language is not inclusive in areas like disability, gender, and race
• Speech Refinements: Spot speech problems like wordiness and euphemisms
• Repetitive Words: Count words and phrases that are repeatedly spoken
• Body Language: Analyze physical mannerisms, posture, and eye contact

In addition to automatic, real-time suggestions while practicing, Speaker Coach generates a personalized report that can be used as a learning tool. Each report is customized to the speaking session, contains interactive feedback and analysis, and is privately shared so that students can securely review suggestions without the pressure of having another person listen and critique.

Rehearsal report summarizes your performance and provides actionable feedback

Because Speaker Coach automatically listens and analyzes multiple aspects of a presentation, students can use it at school or at home without someone else participating. Speaker Coach is like a teaching assistant who is always available and willing to offer constructive feedback in a judgement-free environment.

Students in Spring Public Schools in Springfield, MA have been using Speaker Coach to practice and prepare for classroom presentations. Educators are already seeing improvements in how ideas are communicated. 

Speaker Coach is giving the students the confidence to be able to present in front of others and share their voice.” Melissa Zeitz, Digital Literacy and Computer Science Teacher for Springfield Public Schools 

Rehearse with Speaker Coach

To start using Speaker Coach in PowerPoint:

• Open PowerPoint
• Add information to the slide show
• Go to Slide Show in the ribbon
• Select Rehearse with Coach
• Allow PowerPoint to use the camera and microphone

Coaching suggestions during live meetings

Students and educators can also use Speaker Coach during scheduled Teams meetings and live events. The Teams integration delivers private speaking suggestions and guidance during roundtable discussions or while sharing content from a PowerPoint or Word Document. Unobtrusive tips appear at the top of the Teams window and are only visible to the speaker. When you leave the meeting, Speaker Coach generates a timestamped report with actionable insights for improving speaking clarity, word choice, inclusiveness, and information. This report lives inside of Teams and is available to review and compare over time or throughout the year.

Follow a few simple steps to use Speaker Coach in Teams for Education:

• Schedule a Teams Meeting with a peer or colleague. Speaker Coach is unavailable in Meet Now meetings.
• Select  More .
• Select  Turn on Speaker Coach and follow any additional prompts. Contact your IT Administrator if you do not see this option as some clients need preview features enabled .

What are you waiting for? Say goodbye to standing in front of a mirror and talking to yourself. Instead, let Speaker Coach analyze your communication skills and reduce anxiety associated with public speaking.

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More From Forbes

Your three most important career skills.

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(Original Caption) Princeton, New Jersey: Physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955), seated in ... [+] book-filled office holding a pipe.

In an age when the world is changing so incredibly fast – and with it, all the elements that comprise it – a regular and increasingly frequent assessment of the skills we need to navigate all this is more than a good idea. It’s mandatory, if we intend to stay competitive, ahead of the game, and relevant.

Trouble is, most of us fall prey to inertia; we get to a certain point in our careers – whether just out of school or into our peak earning years – where we seem to give tacit approval to stagnation, deciding, either consciously or not, that we no longer need to improve, diversify, grow, or advance.

A career coach and adjunct professor’s take on skills

Everyone should be familiar with the two standard skills categorizations: hard skills and soft skills. In the unlikely event there’s someone who isn’t, hard skills are technical and are task oriented, specific, not universally transferable, and usually quantitative; soft skills are people oriented, general, highly transferable, and entirely qualitative.

I propose a third category, which I will get to shortly. But first, so we’re on the same page…

Examples of hard and soft skills

Hard skills:.

Accounting, programming, playing shortstop, landscaping, building maintenance, data analysis, contract and pricing review, actuary.

A Ukrainian Drone Strike May Have Destroyed A Russian Air Force Su 57 Stealth Fighter

India-pakistan t20 clash in new york today: here’s what to know about the biggest cricket game of the year, netflix s most popular new movie is getting rave reviews but hit man is pretty bad, soft skills:.

Communication, ability to work well in a team, leadership, creative thinking and writing, aesthetic design, mediation, adaptability, emotional intelligence.

So far, that part’s easy. However, not only is this new category claiming its own plce – like the continents as they broke from Pangea 200 million years ago – it’s rapidly becoming prepotent.

The Critical Skills: critical thinking, critical listening, critical reading

It’s not that we never needed critical thinking; we always have, but as an independent career coach (27 years and counting) and adjunct professor of leadership and communication on the graduate level (15 years, now retired), I can make two observations. One, critical thinking skills have taken an alarmingly big hit and are not done getting beaten up. I see it and have seen it every day. And the culprit is not the person who lacks them; it’s the general elementary and secondary education systems that aren’t developing them. Two, A.I. has changed everything and is daily widening the gap between critical skills necessary and critical skills available.

Today’s adult can’t tell you the relevance of the Lilliputians and Brobdingnagians, doesn’t know the Pythagorean theorem, has no idea how exchange rates affect trade or which country is America’s largest trading partner (Don’t say China; you’ll be wrong.), hardly picks up a newspaper, gets most of their news on line and can’t discern what’s responsible news and what’s fake, can’t for the life of them understand why in the world anyone would study the liberal arts, and famously (today) gets sucked into political extremism, which is the furthest thing from critical thinking you’ll ever see.

Now along comes A.I.

A.I. has changed everything. By accelerating and magnifying absolutely everything we do or will soon do, the case for critical thinking, critical listening, and critical reading becomes more compelling by the day. In fact, I’m currently engaged with a corporate client in a project to review current hiring standards and implement hiring practices that will better identify critical skills and bring them in through their talent acquisition process. No small task.

There is much more to be said about critical thinking, critical listening, and critical reading, which I promise to do. But for now, suffice to say that the first step is to commit the time to do them. The rest will follow.

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