I was recently involved in some and asked the participants to answer the question, “Before you even get up to make a presentation – what is the context of making a presentation?”

As usually happens, they were all stumped – both by the question itself and by what context meant.

So, with a little education we came to realise that context is that which makes sense of everything. It’s like having a helicopter view or a map of the maze below. It brings with it crystal clear clarity.

If you have clarity about your purpose, when you stand in front of a room to make a presentation, it gives you a position of unwavering confidence and focus.

What is the context of “Presentation”? To make this simple, just look at the word itself. The stem is Present. Therefore you need to be both Present, i.e. attentive to your audience, and be a Present or a Gift to them.

When you give someone a present, what do they have to do? They have to unwrap it to get to the gift, do they not?

Hence, whenever you make a presentation, the key thing to hold in your mind’s eye is that you’re there to unwrap yourself, to give to the audience the gift of yourself.

Do this honestly and the audience will stay with you.

Addendum: Talking of gifts…

My next Gift Day, where I share with people the simple structures for building successful businesses and careers, is on May 22nd.

Please book quickly as places are limited.

Places are limited. Please sign up quickly.