Presentation Zen [12]
Creative power or creative imagination is not only for “the artists of the world,” the painters, the sculptors, and so on—teachers also need the power of creativity. So do programmers, engineers, scientists, etc. You can see the application of creative genius in many professional fields. Remember, for example, that it was a group of brilliant and geeky-to-the-core, left-brain NASA engineers on the ground who in 1970 was able to jury-rig a solution to the life-threatening buildup of carbon dioxide in the damaged Apollo 13 spacecraft. Their heroic fix—literally involving duct tape and spare parts—was ingenious improvisation, it was imaginative, and it was creative.
Being creative does not mean wearing black turtlenecks and hanging out in jazz cafes sipping cappuccinos—it means using your whole mind to find solutions. Creativity means not being paralyzed by your methods and knowledge, but being able to think outside the box (sometimes very quickly) to find solutions to unforeseen problems. This kind of situation requires logic and analysis, but also big-picture thinking. And big-picture thinking is a right-brain, creative aptitude.
Back down here on earth, the seemingly mundane business of a conference presentation, designed and delivered with the help of slideware, can be a very creative thing. A presentation is an opportunity to differentiate yourself, or your organization, or your cause. It’s your chance to tell the story of why your content is important and why it matters. It can be an opportunity to make a difference. So why look or talk like everyone else? Why strive to meet expectations? Why not surpass expectations and surprise people?
You are a creative person, probably far more creative than you think. All people should work toward tapping into their creative abilities and unleashing their imaginations.
If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland (Graywolf Press) is one of the most inspiring and useful books I have ever read. The book was first published in 1938 and probably should have been titled “If You Want to Be Creative.” The simple yet sage advice will be of interest not only to writers but also to anyone who yearns to be more creative in their work or to help others get in touch with their creative souls (this goes for programmers and epidemiologists, as well as designers and artists). This book should be required reading for all professionals or people aspiring to teach anyone about anything. Below are ideas inspired by Brenda Ueland that you should keep in mind when approaching the preparation of a presentation or any other creative endeavor in your work.
The Big Lie
Ah, the big lie we tell ourselves: “I am not creative.” Sure, you might not be the next Picasso in your field (then again, who knows?). But it doesn’t matter. What matters is to not close yourself down too early in the process of exploration. Failing is fine, necessary in fact. But avoiding experimentation or risk—especially out of fear of what others may think—is something that will gnaw at your gut more than any ephemeral failure. A failure is in the past. It’s done and over. In fact, it doesn’t exist. But worrying about “what might be if…” or “what might have been if I had…” are pieces of baggage you carry around daily. They’re heavy, and they’ll kill your creative spirit. Take chances and stretch yourself. You’re only here on this planet once, and for a very short time at that. Why not just see how gifted you are? You may surprise someone. Most importantly, you may surprise yourself.
Image in this slide is of Sir Ken Robinson presenting at TED in 2006. Original photo courtesy of TED/ leslieimage.com
Be a Pirate!
Inspiration. Where can you find it? A million places and in a million ways, but probably not by doing the same old routine, or by gossiping with staff in the break room about things that don’t really matter. Sometimes, you can find inspiration in teaching. When you teach someone something important to you, you are reminded of why it matters, and the enthusiasm of the student—child or adult—is