The Paradox of Preparation - Presentation Skills Coaching at its Finest

THE PARADOX OF PREPARATION

One of the least understood elements of giving great presentations is what I call "The Paradox of Preparation."

Often clients will say to me, "I don't really like to prepare. I just like to go with the flow, how I feel." In essence, they are saying, "I just like to wing it."

If this sounds familiar, here's your challenge.

Sometimes you'll be great. Sometimes, well, you'll tank...or worse, you'll just be mediocre, which will never be painful enough for you to realize you need to get your act together (literally).

The reason people don't prepare is a combination of laziness, lack of understanding of how best to prepare effectively, and a fear that preparation will hinder their natural instincts. Sometimes people they think that preparation means memorizing.

No doubt, bad preparation and poor training will do major damage. They'll kill your spirit and the natural joy you have for your topic. They'll tie you down and give you feet of clay. And as a result, you will feel uncomfortable while training, weird while rehearsing, and ultimately, awkward while delivering your speech.

I can't count the number of clients who have come into my studio with the most bizarre gestures and inorganic phrasing for their message and points.

"How does that feel?" I ask when they're done.

"Uhhh. It actually felt kind of weird" is their inevitable response.

"Well," I say... "It looked weird."

The damage has come from some "speech coach" or "presentation skills training program" where the executive has been told to "stand like this" or "move like that" or begin with XYZ phrase.  These, needless to say, are tell tale signs of really bad coaching.

In truth, the best approach IS to prepare and to prepare in such a way that it actually allows you to be free. The right kind of preparation and training allow you to use your natural instincts and "go with the flow" on the spot. The right kind of training and preparation give you the key insights to structure, content, and delivery and a visceral memory of effective speaking -- in essence, a secure and solid path so that if you start to lose your way, you know how to get back home.

Preparation & top training allow for what I call Structured Spontaneity™.

If you feel awkward, weird, humiliated, embarrassed or uncomfortable in any way during your "speech coaching", if you are pushed and prodded to be/stand/talk or move a certain way, I can tell you right now, you have the wrong coach. 

Great coaching makes you feel free.

For more information on the best presentation skills coaching, write to us Studio@VictoriaLabalme.com

© Victoria Labalme Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.