Presentation Skills

Click the appropriate title below to download:

• Presentation Development Worksheet (.pdf)
• Story Spine Worksheet (.pdf)
• Module 7 Takeaways (.pdf)
• Module 7 Slides (final) (.pdf)
• Module 7 (2022) Briefing Sheet (.docx)

The focus of this Module will be on learning how to develop a narrative for an effective presentation and how to tailor that presentation for the audience and the environment in which you are presenting (in-person, virtual or hybrid).

MATERIALS

• Harvard Business Review, "How to Give a Killer Presentation" (Chris Anderson, June 2013)
• Harvard Business Review, "Create a Conversation, Not a Presentation" (John Coleman, July 29, 2015)
• Harvard Business Review, “How to Nail a Hybrid Presentation” (Sarah Gershman and Rae Ringel, May 5, 2021)
• Harvard Business Review, “Crush Your Next Virtual Presentation” (Gia Storms, January 6, 2021)

TASKS

• Prepare a 2-3 minute presentation about “a lesson that I’ve learned in life.” Your audience for the presentation will be other members of the class.
• Before your next cohort meeting, deliberately observe the presentation skills of speakers at meetings that include hybrid, in-person, and all-virtual channels. Use a notebook with you to capture your experience.
  • How would you evaluate each speaker’s eye contact? Natural smile? Pace? Tone of voice? Volume? Ability to connect quickly with you? Hold your attention?
  • How would you evaluate the overall content of their presentations?
  • How did the virtual environment impact both the speaker and your ability to listen?
  • Today – now removed from the presentation(s) what do you recall? What lasting impression have they had on you?
• Bring with you to your cohort meeting a past slide deck that you have used for a presentation. (If you don’t have one of your own, bring a deck from a presentation you attended.) Spend some time with your group looking at each other’s decks and talking about what stands out as effective and what challenges you see.

PERSONAL REFLECTION: 

• What is your current belief about yourself as a public speaker?
• Why would someone go out of their way to hear you deliver a presentation?
• What kind of feedback have you received recently about a presentation you have given?
• How do you try to differentiate yourself as a speaker?

COHORT MEETING (Meet to discuss the following BEFORE Classroom Session)

• Check in and share any additional learning from the previous session.
• Share your observations of speakers at meetings and their impact on you.
• Share your takeaways from the readings.

LEARNING GOALS

• Learn the requisite non-verbal communication strategies that create positive connections
• Learn how to develop your own narrative as a context for “Why”, “How,” and “What” you want to convey in your messages
• Learn how to create engaging first impressions that get attention quickly
• Learn how to craft a powerful close that creates a lasting impression
• Practice delivering a short presentation with peer and instructor feedback
• Consider the impact of the virtual and hybrid settings on presentations
• Prepare for the final Module at which you will present a formal presentation to other members of the Class of 2022, members of the Board of Advisors, and other invited ACC NCR members.