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Do you think you have “sticky” presentations?
By Darren | June 24, 2008
In my recent issue of my e-mail newsletter: Stage Time, I insisted that speakers and presenters get the book: Made to Stick. Well, if you were walking with me in the park this morning, you would have felt the warm Vegas sun, and seen the beautiful mountains, but we wouldn’t have been talking. I had my headphones on, and I was totally engrossed in the audio version of the book.
The authors talk about an experiment where people were asked to “tap out” popular music with their fingers to see if a listener could name the tune. The fascinating part about it was that, even though they were tapping simple popular songs, only just above two percent were recognized. What blew my mind — and the reason I’m writing this blog — was the next figure they mentioned. The people doing the tapping were asked what are the chances the listener would be able to name the tune? The answer was about fifty percent! See, we THINK our listeners “get it.
The authors point out the problem: the “tapper” knows the song and has the song playing clearly in their heads. The tapper can’t imagine (can’t put themselves in the listeners mindset) anybody NOT getting it. It’s so clear to them!
That is our very challenge as presenters. We know clearly what we are trying to say. We sometimes can’t believe why the listeners don’t understand us. The problem doesn’t usually lie with them. It’s our lack of ability to put ourselves in their shoes. Quite often, when we are doing our Get Coached to Speak Boot Camp, my co-presenter and I will often ask the audience, “was that clear to you?” Invariably, the answer is no. Therefore, the fourth habit that I teach speakers is to “Crave Feedback.”
Our presentations are not “sticky” unless the audience thinks they are. What we think doesn’t matter.
Stage time, Stage time, Stage time,
Darren LaCroix
2001 World Champion of Public Speaking
P.S. Presentations that aren’t “sticky” are soon forgotten.
Topics: Public Speaking Business, Public Speaking Skills, World Class Presentations |
June 24th, 2008 at 11:24 am
That book, is without a doubt, my favorite book. I clearly remember this phenomenon. “The burden of knowledge.”
I still find all sorts of people falling prey to it, as presenters, teachers, trainers. However, I even find it shows itself in normal conversation. How often do you find yourself trying to explain a situation and the listener just cannot understand what it is you are saying. Many times it’s because the “tune” is playing loud and clear in your mind and your explanation can be mission a few key “notes” that are present in your head.