How do you stop your audience from judging you?
How do you stop your audience from judging you?
The truth is, you can’t.
However, there are several strategies you can use to minimise their reasons for doing so.
People are people. We’re human, and with that comes a myriad of beliefs, values, experiences, biases, views, opinions, and hence ways through which we, including you, view–and respond to–the world.
No matter whether you’re presenting to a team, board, panel, community, club, prospect, client, or any other type of recipient, there is a chance that you will be judged.
And what might they judge you on?
Personal presentation
Professional presentation
Credibility, or lack of
Confidence
Voice
Content
Flow
Relevance
Your responses to questions
How you handle objections
Language
Pronunciation
Props
Games
Activities
Number of slides
Length of presentation
Choice of music
Use of jargon, or lack of industry jargon
Ability to speak the language fluently
Comprehension
Spelling and grammar
Choice of imagery
Location
Room temperature
Food, or lack of
How far the toilets are (God help us)
References to religion and politics
What have I missed here? Drop them in the comments.
Some people, you might argue, were born to complain. Others were born with a talent to spot faults, weaknesses and risks. The latter is a talent that we need in our teams. So let’s just assume that we’re going to be judged for something. This is why getting feedback at the end of your presentation/workshop/pitch/event, etc. is so important. Don’t imagine things to be worse than they are, just ask for feedback.
Btw: don’t confuse feedback for judgment. They’re not always the same thing.
Okay, now that that is out of the way, and we have a long list to consider, what can we do? In my experience, and from what I’ve seen, there are 7 key elements to focus on. Once you get those sorted, the rest will become insignificant.
The first one is perhaps the easiest to handle: KNOW YOUR CONTENT.
The second is KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
Third is BE THE EXPERT.
Email me for the other four.
Learn how to handle all this!
Learn how to handle all this in my workshop The Art of Facilitation: How to Master Your Presentations & Workshops.
June 12, Adelaide.
