Presentation Zen [7]
Symphony
Focus, specialization, and analysis have been important in the “information age,” but in the “conceptual age,” synthesis and the ability to use seemingly unrelated pieces to form and articulate the big picture before us is crucial, even a differentiator. Pink calls this aptitude “symphony.”
The best presenters can illuminate the relationships that we may not have seen before. They can “see the relationships between relationships.” Symphony requires that we become better at seeing—truly seeing in a new way. Anyone can deliver chunks of information and repeat findings represented visually in bullet points on a screen, but what’s needed are those who can recognize the patterns, and who are skilled at seeing nuances and the simplicity that may exist in a complex problem. Symphony in the world of presentation does not mean “dumbing down” information into sound bytes and talking points so popular in the mass media, for example. Symphony is about utilizing our whole mind—logic, analysis, synthesis, intuition—to make sense of our world (i.e., our topic), find the big picture, and determine what is important and what is not before the day of our talk. It’s also about deciding what matters and letting go of the rest.
Empathy
Empathy is emotional. It’s about putting yourself in the position of others. It involves an understanding of the importance of the nonverbal cues of others and being aware of your own. Good designers, for example, have the ability to put themselves in the position of the user, the customer, or the audience member. This is a talent, perhaps, more than it’s a skill that can be taught, but everyone can get better at this. Empathy allows a presenter, even without thinking about it, to notice when the audience is “getting it” and when they are not. The empathetic presenter can make adjustments based on his reading of this particular audience.
Play
In the conceptual age, says Pink, work is not just about seriousness but about play as well. Each presentation situation is different, but in many public speaking situations playfulness and humor can go a long way toward making a presentation palatable. “Humor” does not imply “jokiness” or clown-like informality, but rather good, old-fashioned humor that leads to laughter. Indian physician Madan Kataria points out in Pink’s book that many people think that serious people are the best suited for business, that serious people are more responsible. “[But] that’s not true,” says Kataria. “That’s yesterday’s news. Laughing people are more creative people. They are more productive people.” Somewhere along the line, we were sold the idea that a real business presentation must necessarily be dull, devoid of humor, and something to be endured, not enjoyed. And if you use slides—and God help you if you don’t—the more complex, detailed, and ugly the better. This approach is still alive and well today, but we can hope in the future that this too will become “yesterday’s news.”
Satirist Tom Rielly gets playful in his 2007 TED presentation. TED/ leslieimage.com
Meaning
I don’t want to put too fine a point on this, but making a presentation is an opportunity to make a small difference in the world (or your community, or your company, or school, etc.). A presentation that goes badly can have a devastating impact on your spirit and on your career. But a presentation that goes well can be extremely fulfilling for both you and the audience, and it might even help your career. Some say that we “are born for meaning” and live for self-expression and an opportunity to share that which we feel is important. If you are lucky, you’re in a job that you feel passionate about. If so, then it’s with excitement that you look forward to the possibility of sharing your expertise—your story—with others. Few things can be more rewarding than connecting with someone by teaching something