Summary

In this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's question about improving presentation skills as a way to advance their career. Christa emphasizes the importance of connection with the audience, every-day practice, rigorous preparation, and finding one’s unique style. She discusses the complexities of communication, the typical pressures of presenting, strategies for designing and conducting effective presentations. The episode concludes with resources for further development in presentation skills.

Key Takeaways

· Nerve wracking work like presenting makes us nervous, but it can also make us better.

· Perspective is your best friend in overcoming presentation anxiety.

· Practice is essential, not just in front of people but in everyday situations.

· Communication at its core is about connecting with the audience.

· Effective presentations require understanding the audience's needs.

· Style matters; find a presentation style that feels natural to you.

· The magic sauce for effective presentations is making a connection with your audience.

· Investing time in improving presentation skills is worth it for professional growth.

· Communication is complex and influenced by many factors.

· Know the purpose and objectives of your presentation.

· Design your presentation with the audience's time in mind.

· Utilize resources like Toastmasters for skill development.

Additional Resources

Frommer, D., & Frommer, D. (2022, July 21). The hidden structure of the Apple keynote. Quartz. https://qz.com/261181/the-hidden-structure-of-the-apple-keynote

Vogel, W. H., & Viale, P. H. (2018, July 1). Presenting with confidence. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6505544/

Toast Masters International: https://www.toastmasters.org/

Toast Masters Resources: https://www.toastmasters.org/resources

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