Unless we’re at work or school, we generally don't use PowerPoint for communicating about the big issues in life.

We sit down with people, face to face, and speak

So why don't we do that with other big issues - in our professional lives? With clients, customers, and stakeholders?

In those situations, we don't speak; we 'present'

I find that most people see 'presenting' as different to 'speaking'.

Imagine being taken on a guided tour of a magnificent palace.

Each room you enter offers a unique experience: from grandiose ballrooms that leave you in awe, to intimate parlours designed for the warmth and comfort of just a handful of people.

A well-crafted presentation should feel like a similar journey, in both the content and the delivery.

I'm always reminding the people I work with that in order to achieve effective communication we should think about pausing as something we do for the listener: a pause creates space in which to process information, so your thoughts are more digestible. Then listeners can pick up on their value.

Most of what the internet says about hand gestures in public speaking is BS. Read my insightful thought leadership (ie. marketing) on the subject. Then click through to the BS, naturally.

The highlight of your presentation is not your slides. It’s not even your content. The highlight is YOU

What we can learn about how to work smarter, based on how we feel and behave in speaking situations where we don't deliver