Confident Communications for the Introvert Presentation
Whether it’s trying to deliver bad news, communicating with a customer or giving an idea in a meeting, communicating effectively and confidently rate high in the business world. Year after year when the National Association of Colleges and Employers publishes their findings of the most important skills an employer looks for in a potential employee, communication skills tops the list. And more than topping it, it can be on the list several times.
Confident Communications for the Introvert Presentation
Recently a client called me with a perfect opportunity. They asked me to deliver a presentations skills 2-day workshop for a group of technical people who need to have both the confidence and the right skills to provide meeting briefings. They’ll even have the opportunity to be video taped before and after the two-day event.
Don’t we all have to give a briefing at times? As an introvert, it’s better to be prepared and think things through before saying what you want. Otherwise, being zapped of energy in a typical office work environment can be worse.
Look at poor Bert in the above video clip! I sure don’t want to communicate like Bert did with Ernie in the above video.
Bert is talking with someone who cannot seem to understand is being said. It almost looks like Ernie is being interrupted.
And the further into the message Bert got, the more Ernie threw him off balance. Bert’s confidence started to wane.
My approach to training communications for energizing the introvert confidence is to 1) know what you what to say, 2) prepare the message, and 3) say what you know you want to say. It’s an approach giving any introvert the chance to stand tall in the way they prefer to think things through and then top things off with some platform polish.
1) know what you what to say,
In general, we may know what we want to say, or at least understand the topic of our presentation. But often, we communicate in a muddled way at the beginning and the end. These are two crucial times in a presentation because this is when you will likely have the most attention of your audience. Getting clear on key points allows us to sort then through what might cause people to yawn, tune out or not understand. If we focus on the audience more, and less on ourselves, then they will understand what you know you want to say.
2) prepare the message,
Introverts have a natural advantage in wanting to plan things out! But what needs to go into your presentation to hold the attention of your audience, and ensure the best you can their listening and understanding?
Concisely the steps to confident communications for the introvert presentation, even for the more extroverted are:
- planning,
- content,
- delivery,
- vocal power,
- body language,
- platform presence and
- visual aids.
The listener is paying attention to each of these throughout your program.
3) say what you know you want to say.
If you prepare with rehearsing, not memorizing, then you might find your message to become clearer. When you rehearse, you have a chance to make sure your message and delivery has your attention on your audience. This way by the time you are in front of them, your anxiousness will be in check.
Bert maybe could use those tips instead of getting all flustered. The truth is, you sometimes do communicate with some difficult people.
If you are an introvert, what are those verbal communication skills as a business professional that you would like to hone? Just either click on one answer or write in your answer, in the less than the one-minute poll, just below this post.
If you are an extrovert, would you SHARE this post where you can? That will take less than one-minute too.
Good points you make, Pat. And they apply to extroverts as well as introverts.
Would only like to add that it’s essential to use language that everybody understands and get what you want across in ways that cannot be misinterpreted. Frequently people express themselves in ways that, in worst case scenarios, are just a lot of words that can be interpreted in numerous ways. And that’s something you really want to avoid:-)
Catarina that is SUCH an important part of communicating clearly. That’s one reason active listening is so critical to our communications. You can take the temperature of the person you are talking with along the way to be certain there is understanding. Thanks.
I really see the value in this training. You would think people what instinctively know to do that but they don’t. Doing in it clearly and concisely without the opportunity to misread or misinterpret the message is so important. Giving them a roadmap or formula for presenting a briefing is a great thing to offer. 🙂
Susan I think the idea of videotaping is valuable too. That gives them a most clear before and after glimpse of the progress they will make, even if it is just in one day. Thanks.
Great points! I use to be highly introverted but since building my business and having to rely on my efforts and desire to succeed, stepping outside of my comfort zone has been great. I’ve always been a great communicator but now I should call myself a pro, if you will 🙂
Awesome post! –Visiting from BHB LinkedIN Group.
Neosha congratulations! You’ve learned some of the extroverting social skills. If you still prefer time alone over being at an all night party, you’re still an introvert at heart. A wiser and more skillful one form stepping outside your comfort zone.
Wow, you really hit the nail on the head. Practice makes perfect. Presentations are especially tricky since you’re trying to make a point, or number of points, and your skills need to be very sharp. I always bear in mind the audience – what do they want to hear? We all know that hearing isn’t the same as listening. Too often, people can’t get past their own built-in biases. That’s when knowing your audience can be effective. But you sound like you already know that!
Krystyna you have this just right: bear in mind the audience. They aren’t coming to see a power point presentation. They aren’t coming to sit next to people they already know, although they will do that. They are coming to listen to you – whether it’s a meeting or a presentation – and get some value with YOUR spin. Thanks!
I consider myself an introvert, but somehow, during my career, I did quite a bit of public speaking. I knew I had to know my material cold. When I felt I could answer pretty much any question anyone could ask, it helped me feel confident in my expertise. My husband maintains that part of becoming an expert is to declare yourself an expert. Assuming you can also walk the walk, I was kind of amazed at how true this was.
Preparation is a key to feeling confident. Your husband sounds like a smart man! From one boomer to another boomer, thanks.
Great post. Simple, clear and with an eye to a group that so often get short changed in business settings. I think it would be useful for managers to know so that they take into consideration the approaches that work best for different staff. In a brainstorming session, calling on the introvert if you haven’t given them time to plan can be devastating.
Debra, great point to get managers on board with taking different approaches for different people. When I facilitate brainstorming, likely because I am an introvert, I always set up one of the guidelines to make it OK to pass on the first round. That’s a built in think time for the more introverted. Thanks.
I took the survey and then left a comment, but am not sure if it went through as I got some sort of error message. The gist of that comment was even though I am an introvert, I grew comfortable in a teaching situations, mainly because I adhered to the three steps you outline above. Now that I’ve shifted venues to freelance work, some of my habits are not as conquered as I initially thought they would be.
Thanks for answering the poll Jeri.
There’s always going to be personal development in areas. I guess that’s one reason the industry is so huge and seemingly never out of ideas. I know you have a gift for teaching just from that one Google Hangout you facilitated!
HI Patricia,
I have never been an introvert. I handle problems head on. We all make mistakes so in the end it is how they are handled. In my business there are terms in the promotional products business that most people do not have a clue about. One has to remember that many businesses have terms that your customers may have no idea what you are talking about. When you imprint more than one color it is called a run charge. Many people don’t understand why they need to pay the extra amount of money for a run charge which is a term for an additional color in their logo. I go through the process of explaining just exactly how and why their are these charges. Never expect your customers to know the linger or jargon of your business. This frustrates people. The one thing I have heard all my life is that I communicate well and that you always know where I stand. I love the analogy of Ernie and Bert.
Jargon is rarely helpful with Arleen. And I find it is in almost every industry or profession. When we take the time to use everyday words the communication is both easier and enhanced at the same time. I bet your customers love the ease in which they understand what you say. Thanks.
I have always found myself to flirt a fine line between introvert and extrovert, especially when it comes to speaking in front of an audience. It normally depends on how prepared I am as well as how comfortable I am with the audience. If I know the information well and am not familiar with the audience, I still do a great job of communicating.
Hey Patricia,
Thanks a lot for sharing this amazing post!!
All the points you have mentioned are really useful. My friend and I had to give a business presentation together. And she was facing a lot of problem while communicating with others. But before the final presentation, I just told her about your site. And with the help of all your points, she was able to give an awesome presentation. And you know what, we cracked that business deal!!
All the credit goes to you for sure 🙂
This is good news about being able to help your friend Alphonse. I cannot take all credit – I learned much of this over the years from mentors, coaches and my own failures and successes.