get over your fear and just do it I watch at least one presentation or speech each and every day of my working life, either live or on video. When it is a recording, I simply switch it off if the speaker is not a good presenter. He or she is just wasting my time. […]

get over your fear and just do it

I watch at least one presentation or speech each and every day of my working life, either live or on video. When it is a recording, I simply switch it off if the speaker is not a good presenter. He or she is just wasting my time. I believe I am not alone in this regard.

A survey in the United States found that 70% of business people believe that presentation skills are critical to career success. A similar study in Australia found that 80% of executives viewed presentation or public speaking skills as important to career success.

Presentation skills are central to:

• Inspiring the team
• Captivating clients

Failing to inspire can lead to a loss of respect and/or the team simply not sharing the vision and not doing what is needed. Failure to captivate clients can make it hard to convert prospects and make sales. Excellent presentation skills on the other hand, build confidence and enable the speaker to communicate a passion that is infectious. It also facilitates education.

I have observed that rather than great business skills, highly successful business people tend to have excellent presentation skills. Think Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. The same is true of politicians. The ones we remember are the great presenters rather than great law-makers. Think Churchill and Kennedy.

Research has also found, however, that 80% of business people are nervous about public speaking, and the vast majority do not like presenting. As a result, many are simply not good at it.

There is a lot of talk these days about ‘start ups’ and their need to raise capital. Most of the presentations I have seen by the owners of start-ups have inspired no confidence at all. This is a real concern as investors are more inclined to support a person than an idea.

Get over your fear and just do it. Develop the presentation skills you need and keep improving them.

Source of core statistics – CARMINE GALLO – FORBES 2014

READ MORE – www.djohncarlsonesq.com 

D. John Carlson – Adviser and Speaker – 0402 273 350 or [email protected] .