Presentation Skills Training – Time to take action!

A positive mindset I teach in my presentation skills coaching

Last month I wrote about how to use positive mindsets in public speaking. I find the power of the mind fascinating. Whoever my client, and whatever their situation, I always help them to improve their mindset first. It’s only then that we work on their skill set. I dedicate a whole section of my upcoming book on career-limiting presentations to mindset.

The meaning of communication is the response I get

‘The meaning of communication is the response I get’ is a very useful mindset. Do you want to encourage others into action with your presentations? Would you like to manage responses to questions professionally, and minimise unnecessary conflict? Do you want to maximise the impact of your communication? Then read on and find out more about this positive mindset.

It is best explained with an example. Let’s say someone asks you a question during your presentation and you answer in a way that you think is effective, but the person doesn’t seem to understand. Even though you think you’ve been clear, you obviously haven’t. If you apply the mindset, you will take 100% responsibility to “correct” the communication so that it’s understood in the way it was intended. This may mean explaining it in a different way, telling a story to illustrate your point or drawing a picture literally or in their mind’s eye.

Power to do things differently

In another example, let’s imagine you are inviting people to take action in your presentation – a technique I teach in my presentation skills and public speaking coaching. You asked everyone to look at a design and give their feedback via an online questionnaire by Friday. Some people did it correctly, but others did it incorrectly, late or not at all. In which case, the meaning of the communication was exactly what you got.

So although you said you wanted them completed online by Friday, the meaning of your communication to those that didn’t do it was something else. They might not have understood the instructions. Perhaps they forgot or assumed the deadline was flexible. So in order to “correct” this next time, you could spend more time checking everyone understands the instructions. You might try putting someone in charge of rounding up the results or ask everyone to set up an electronic reminder just before the deadline.

The benefit of applying this mindset is that you are empowered to do things differently rather than just sitting on your hands and waiting. You’ll be firmly in control of situations, and you’re MUCH more likely to get what you want.

Simply Amazing Training offers professional presentation skills coaching and public speaking coaching for individuals and companies in Bournemouth, and across Dorset, Hampshire, Herts and London. Have a look around the website, or call me today on 0330 223 4392  for an informal chat to discuss your requirements.