Page 7 - Leadership Basics 6

Preparation

The best presenters understand the need to be knowledgeable. Their confidence then shows.
They actually enjoy receiving questions because they know it is an opportunity to display their
understanding of the subject and to help their audience understand it. They can listen to other
people’s views and are able to compare and contrast them with their own. They do their
homework; they are thoroughly prepared. Do you know a presenter who is like this? If you do,
is it not true that you have confidence in what she says?

Ideally, every presentation you make should demonstrate that you are well prepared and that
you are knowledgeable about the subject.

 Prepare meticulously.
 Acquire the relevant knowledge.

 Ask whether the presentation is the best way of getting the message across.
 Ask yourself whether you are the right person to do it.

 Ask yourself whether there is a very good reason for taking the audience’s time.
A more formal presentation however is likely to require more extensive preparation and this will
involve thinking about several issues. You need to ask a number of questions which might
include:

 What is the purpose of the presentation?
 What should be included?

 How should I present it?
 Who will be in the audience?

 Where will it be held?
 How much time do I have?

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