“If you really want to communicate, the most important thing is to listen.””

— - Mr. Fred McFeely Rogers (Mister Roger’s Neighborhood)

There are 2 parts to communication, speaking and listening. You need both for effective communication.

It’s common to focus a lot of time and energy on organizing and preparing your talk and while those are super important for your success, so is tuning into the people in front of you.

When it comes time to give your presentation, make sure to pay attention and listen to your audience.

Benefits of Listening:

• Presentations feel more conversational when you actively engage your audience, and stop talking at them (not to mention it’s more fun!)

• When your audience feels heard, they’re more likely to trust you (and your ideas)

• When you listen intently you can respond to your audience in the moment and find common ground

Listening is the single most important skill to get your ideas seen, heard and respected. It’s one of the best ways to ensure your audience receives your message in a language they understand.

When you prepare for your next presentation remember to make time for listening. And if you find yourself in a tense conversation, here are some tips:

1. Acknowledge and validate what the other person is saying

2. Be curious about their point of view

3. Ask open-eded questions
   

Learn more about these techniques at the next workshop:

Collaboration with Your Clients: Critical Conversation Skills To Keep Your Presentations On Track

DATE: Tuesday: May 14, 2019

TICKETS: http://sparkdesignprofessionals.org/event/collaboration-your-clients-critical-conversation-skills-keep-your-presentations-track

One of the participants at a recent corporate workshop asked this question:

How do you recover from a presentation blunder?

Here are a few options to help you gracefully handle those unplanned moments:

1. Ignore it and keep going, chances are no-one else will notice.

2. Acknowledge it. You might say: “I forgot to tell you something important so I’m going to back up for a moment.”

3. Use humor. Humor can go a long way to bring your audience along with you so don’t sweat it. You might say “That might have looked like a mistake, but I actually planned it that way.”

4. Improv. Find a creative way to incorporate the blunder into your talk.

5. Be kind to yourself. You’re allowed to make mistakes and being human gives your audience permission to do the same.

Some tips to help ward off some common fumbles:

1. Print your notes so you have backup if technology fails.

2. Pause if you lose your place, forget a word, or need a moment to think about your answer.

3. Remember that your audience is cheering you on so treat them like friends, not the enemy.

4. Be prepared. Know what you want to say and practice out loud ahead of time. Use my 4 step process to clarify your message. It helps you stay on topic even when you stumble.