An explain article

In July 2015, a scene unfolds at the Diamond Meeting in Paris that could not be more dramatic. A young American named Evan Jager is running the 3000-meter steeplechase of his life. With the grace of a gazelle, he leaves all his fellow competitors behind. It is almost accomplished. Only one hurdle left to victory. But then it happens: The almost-winner lands awkwardly, stumbles, and… falls. The Kenyan Jairus Kipchoge Birech passes him. The dream is over. For Jager, it is only enough for the thankless second place.

But what does this story have to do with presentations? More than you think. Because similar scenes unfold in many meeting rooms, on many stages of the business world – only in the form of presentations. Because a poor performance is like stumbling on the home stretch. You know what I'm talking about: With the laptop on your lap, quickly revising the slides just before the client meeting. Preparing presentations for the busy boss who sees the slides for the first time during the presentation. It's a bit like PowerPoint karaoke. That's what happened to me once as an intern in Brussels. It's pure thrill, even though you're not even on stage yourself. In short: Practicing is simply not the standard in Germany's presentation culture. Americans also speak of "wing a presentation." Which roughly means improvisation. Even if this spontaneity has a romantic coolness factor, a bad presentation is not cool at all, but in the worst case damaging to business.

Every audience enjoys an impressive performance. So why is practicing so frowned upon? Two major misunderstandings are to blame: First: "Speakers are born." Second: "Authenticity and practice do not go together." So, don't practice too much, it will only seem fake. But is that really true? I believe the ideal of the unprepared but eloquent speaker is a myth. Demosthenes shouted against the sea waves with pebbles in his mouth 2500 years ago. Al Gore transformed from a boring politician to an inspiring presenter. Even Steve Jobs practiced for days and weeks before Macworld. It is only through practice that we develop as speakers who stand confidently before their audience.

But wait: There was still this fear of coming across as somehow fake, artificial, or like an actor.

I believe this thinking is a fallacy. Or, to ask pointedly: Is it possible that not practicing is just an excuse not to have to change? Isn't it much more comfortable to cling to unfavorable habits on stage? These can be distracting gestures, a complicated way of expression, or a presentation devoid of any emotion. Is this really the authentic self we want to be in front of our audience? Is it not conceivable that it is precisely the practice that shapes the authentic speaker personality we actually want to be?

Yes, but, some may object: We do know the all-too-smooth motivational speaker with the flawless smile or the somewhat too perfect CEO on stage. They do everything right, they are present, seasoned, and always accentuate at the right spot. And yet, somehow the spark doesn't catch. That cannot be the point! Therefore, practicing must not be understood as pure rote learning or choreography. Rather, it is an engagement with ourselves and how we come across. Practicing provides us with a greater degree of freedom to express ourselves diversely. To express our emotions without fear, to make our inner thoughts and internal attitudes audible.

Moments that impress

A speaker who opens up to the audience, can show vulnerability but also passion on stage, that impresses. Neuroscientist Amy Cuddy, whose TED Talk on body language has garnered over 40 million video views, shows vulnerability. It is her personal story as a highly gifted student who, following a car accident with a head injury, loses her ability and fights her way back up. With this story, Cuddy draws impressive parallels to her research work, visibly struggling with tears. Swedish scientist Hans Rosling shows passion in his lecture on connections in global population growth. With the energy of a sports commentator, he lets data from half a century tell a fascinating story in fast motion. The professor enthusiastically comments on the movement of the data masses and follows their development with large gestures. These presenters have understood not only to let the content speak for itself but to clarify and stage it through a confident, authentic, and expressive presentation. What about you? What kind of speaker do you want to be? The good thing about it is: To impress as a speaker, we don't have to be perfect or pretend, but simply become the person we are deep inside.