18 Jan Proper presentation pressure: Post #1, The value of checking if we are over-inflated or under-inflated when speaking
By Shawn Ritchey https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB_M-f_aU1lrkPTBYl514fw
Hi, my name is Shawn Ritchey with Shawn Ritchey L.I.V.E. As an Educator and Storyteller, I yearn to communicate clearly with the hope of equipping or inspiring others.
But I am keenly aware of what George Bernard Shaw said,
“The problem with communicating is the illusion that it has been accomplished”.
So, my commitment before I speak is to check the pressure of my message. You see, just like tires on a vehicle can become over-inflated or under-inflated, causing a negative or unsafe outcome, I believe my presentations can become over-inflated or under-inflated, often causing a negative or unfruitful outcome. One example of this would be K.I.S.S.
K.I.S.S.; what comes to your mind? For some, you’re enjoying a nostalgic trip down memory lane of heavy metal and painted faces. But for most – especially in the context of design or presenting – you typically go to, “Keep It Simple Stupid”. The KISS principle originated in 1960 by the US Navy and became a part of pop culture by the 70s.
I believe and value the art of simplicity. Picaso’s bulls – 11 lithographs depicting the animal in various stages of abstraction – demonstrates, in an amazing way, how simple something can be while still clearly depicting what it represents.
So, the point of this post is not to question the value of simplicity when presenting. But my question when I see, or hear the phrase, “Keep It Simple Stupid” is to ask: Who is stupid? Am I viewing myself as stupid; stuck in my negative self-talk of inadequacies as I prepare a speech? Or am I, subtly, believing myself to be the SME (subject matter expert) and trying to “dumb things down, so these people will get it”?
Sadly, I am susceptible to both possibilities and I don’t like how it makes me view myself or others. But when I consider K.I.S.S. as, Keep It Simple & Sincere, it changes my attitude.
To be sincere is to be genuine, honest. As I remind myself to be sincere it guides me into having my focus be for others. My goal becomes the betterment of someone else rather than over-inflating my own ego as a SME.
Remember I believe presentations can become over-inflated or under-inflated like tires resulting in a negative outcome. I believe over-inflated presentations happen when the Presenter has a misguided attitude. Keep It Simple Stupid is one example of having a misguided attitude. Keep It Simple & Sincere helps me correct my over-inflated attitude to a proper presentation pressure.
This article is also featured on OneAccord blog: https://www.oneaccord.co/blog/great-presentations-simple-stupid-vs-simple-sincere
In my next post, we will look at another misguided attitude when presenting: Forgetting the value of 1! https://shawnritchey.com/forgetting-the-value-of-1/
I hope you have an amazing week
Shawn
Shawn Ritchey L.I.V.E. Corporate Storyteller https://shawnritchey.com/corporate-storyteller/
Shawn Ritchey L.I.V.E. Inspirational Storyteller https://shawnritchey.com/storyteller/