Isn’t there enough to do when you’re preparing for a presentation? Besides the obvious, you’ve got to navigate the delicate balances below:
- Be brief, but take your time.
- Be yourself, but fill the room.
- Be confident, but show your vulnerability.
- Relax, but use your nerves.
- Demonstrate your expertise, but speak their language–not yours.
- Appeal to their self-interest, but don’t pander.
- Make a strong case for your point of view, but provide fair balance.
- Be passionate, but don’t lose your cool.
- Stand up for your ideas, but make sure you’re still viewed as a team player.
- Show that you care, but not too much.
- Stand still, but move closer to the audience at key moments.
- Use your hands to gesture, but don’t gesticulate.
- Dress one step better than your audience, but don’t be showy.
- Be real, but don’t let them see you sweat.
- Be the leader, but defer to your boss if she’s in the room.
- Rehearse your ass off, but sound like you’re making it up as you go along.
- Look people in the eye in order to read their facial expressions, which is being assertive in order to be empathetic.
- Point to items on the screen, but stay connected with your audience.
- Craft a powerful opening and a dynamite closing, but keep the middle clear and simple.
- Be persuasive, but don’t be salesy.
- Be authentic, but don’t draw attention to your weaknesses and undermine your credibility.