Engage and Inform Through Impactful Presentations: My Transformative Journey
By Anil Kishen, B.D.S., M.D.S., Ph.D.
Like many of you, I have had the opportunity to attend educational and scientific talks that, despite their importance, sometimes fall short of effectively engaging and informing the audience. I still vividly remember my first oral presentation on the biomechanics of endodontics at a national conference in India. After my presentation, I asked my close friends for feedback. They said, “You did well, but we didn’t understand anything.” Reflecting on that incident, I see several red flags. Presenting at a national conference in front of 500 people made me very anxious. I was discussing engineering principles to explain failure and success in endodontic treatment, a topic unfamiliar to my audience. I was over-prepared and over-rehearsed, and my anxiety made me babble without pauses or any voice modulation. Additionally, during those days, we used 35mm slides instead of the current PowerPoint or Keynote formats, which made formatting, animation, and schematics quite challenging. Since then, I have been seeking meaningful ways to enhance my presentation skills, recognizing how crucial effective communication is.
My journey towards mastering the art of presentation has been a continuous one. Rehearsing a presentation as you intend to deliver it and learning from role models can be incredibly beneficial. However, early formal training in effective delivery techniques could have helped me avoid the mistakes I made. While it’s true that not every scientist or clinician excels at communication, I have learned that we can improve our presentation skills with the right mindset, preparation, and practice. Mastering these techniques not only benefits the individual but also serves to inspire and motivate others in the field.
Throughout my career, I have been invited to speak to various audiences from diverse backgrounds, including dentists, endodontists, various dental specialists, medical doctors, engineers, biological scientists, and even a group of mathematicians. In such situations, it is essential to consider who your audience is and your goal for speaking to them. Understanding your purpose will guide what you want to communicate and how you say it. Consider what you want the audience to take away from your presentation. Starting with the end in mind is a valuable approach. An effective presentation should engage the audience, but achieving this can be more challenging than it sounds. Adhering to the principle of keeping it simple will help in this respect, which is fundamental in an era where overwhelming scientific data and technology-based distractions frequently challenge attention. Studies suggest that capturing the audience’s attention must be done continuously.
A successful presentation needs a clear central message that is supported by logical ideas, guiding the audience on a journey. This message should stem from a thoughtful interpretation of the information or findings presented. It is what the audience anticipates and what encourages discussion and collaboration. A presentation without a clear central message can leave the audience feeling unfulfilled. To ensure that the audience is engaged and focused, I have begun emphasizing the central message of my presentation in the first few slides. This approach creates anticipation for what is to follow and guides all sections of the presentation: an attractive title, background, main body, and conclusions. It is advisable to rehearse the presentation in advance to minimize jitters. Breathing and relaxation exercises before presenting can help alleviate anxiety. The focus should be on the presenter, speaking spontaneously with the slides as backup support. Presenters should walk confidently, maintain eye contact, and project enthusiasm.
Storytelling is a powerful tool I have appreciated in my recent presentations. As an American writer and cultural anthropologist Mary Catherine Bateson stated, “The human species thinks in metaphors and learns through stories.” Using a personal story is an excellent way to illustrate a point or engage the audience. Presenting the story in the present tense can effectively draw the audience in, whether a personal experience or a patient case. This technique makes the presentation more engaging and helps the audience feel connected and involved in the narrative.
Visual perception is crucial in human communication, so presentations should prioritize images over text. Use minimal wording on slides to support your talk and present key points as bullet statements, avoiding cluttered text and graphics. Instead of saying, “I know this slide is busy,” address any potential issues with the slide beforehand. The audience will appreciate a clear presentation rather than a pre-emptive apology. Limit each slide to six bullet points and no more than seven words per line. It’s essential to choose an appropriate font size for both the title and content, taking into account the dimensions of the presentation room. Avoid using all capital letters or italics, as these can hinder reading comprehension. Regularly summarize key points to help the audience focus on the most critical information. Make an effort to draw an overarching conclusion that aligns with your goals. Consider what you want your audience to learn from the presentation. Images or diagrams are often more effective than wordy slides filled with conclusions. Speak loudly but calmly, and aim for one slide per minute. Rehearsing your presentation can help you anticipate questions. Avoid reading directly from the slides or a script, and try not to adopt a defensive tone or body language when faced with inquiries.
In conclusion, improving your presentation skills is an ongoing journey that demands dedication and self-awareness. By recording and reviewing your presentations, you can pinpoint areas for improvement and actively seek feedback from colleagues or mentors. It’s crucial to recognize the need to enhance key presentation skills and address these gaps by learning from respected colleagues or seeking expert guidance. With consistent practice and a commitment to improvement, you can master the art of presenting and become a more effective speaker.