They hired me to help them build the presentation skills of their team. They were surprised that it helped them build their connection with their team.
Presentation skills training is about improving your messaging to a group of people.
The reality is that presentation skills are skills – not natural talent. “Effective presentation skills” is simply the ability to communicate your message to more than one person at a time. Speaking to a group of people and getting your intended message received, understood and remembered. That might be speaking to three, ten or 30 people.
The benefit is that if you can speak to a group and convey your message, then you can also speak to one or a few people to deliver your message.
The CEO sat in on the first of four training sessions to audit the program. By the end of that first program, she realised the importance of continuing with the same cohort because of the team building exercises in this presentations skills training.
These leaders of the health care association were learning how to speak with more confidence and clarity. They were invited to deliver both personal and business short talks. Then they received constructive feedback from each other and the instructor.
They were learning about each other and becoming presentation coaches for each other. They were developing their team skills along with their communication skills.
The managers and key personnel participated in this presentation skills program and they got more than expected.
Part way through the training program, the HR manager realised that the star salesperson wasn’t a good fit for their company because he wasn’t a team player. The training included several group interactions which were intended to help them become coaches and supporters for each other on their communication and presentation skills.
The presentation skills training wasn’t a one touch and done. It was an illustration of how you can continue to help each other – based on the principles and techniques that you’ve learned.
The best team building is when you become coaches to each other because you trust each other.
The sales star demonstrated his reluctance to support the group. He wasn’t a team player. Effective communication will build your team and eliminate those who are not team players.
The best presentation training is one that allows each individual to showcase their strengths and be acknowledged by their team. At the same time their flaws are revealed and they ask for support and feedback.
An interactive training program provides each participant with stage time which can be both gratifying and humbling. That’s how you build a team by revealing emotional highs and lows and becoming comfortable with that openness.