Avoiding Presentation Pitfalls: The 7 Deadly Sins of Public Speaking

Avoiding Presentation Pitfalls: The 7 Deadly Sins of Public Speaking

By Sumesh Khatua

Avoiding Presentation Pitfalls: The 7 Deadly Sins of Public Speaking In the high-stakes world of presentations, navigating the treacherous terrain of public speaking can be as nerve-wracking as trying to parallel park a car in the by-lanes of Delhi. To help you steer clear of disaster and keep your audience engaged, let’s uncover the 7 deadly sins to avoid during your next presentation.

Slothful Slides:

“Ah, the dreaded PowerPoint coma inducer! Avoid the sin of slothful slides by steering clear of text-laden, eye-numbing presentations. Your audience doesn’t need a bedtime story; they need a show worth staying awake for!”

Envious Eye Contact:
“Are your eyes wandering like a lost puppy during your presentation? Avoid the sin of envious eye contact by making eye contact with your audience, not the exit signs, the ceiling, or that tantalizing donut box in the corner. Remember, eyes on the prize – your audience!”

Gluttonous Gobbledygook:
“Tired of gobbledegook turning your presentation into a verbal feast for confusion? Avoid the sin of gluttonous gobbledygook by savoring simplicity. Speak in clear, digestible chunks — not word salads that leave your audience scratching their heads. Save the jargon for Scrabble night!”

Wrathful Waffling:
“Oh, the horror of the wrathful waffler – the presenter who drones on like a broken record! Avoid this sin by keeping your presentation concise and to the point. Remember, brevity is the soul of wit… and audience appreciation!”

Lustful Laser Pointers:
“Feeling a little too attached to that laser pointer, aren’t we? Avoid the sin of lustful laser pointers by using them sparingly and purposefully. Your audience is there to see you shine, not to watch your laser light show. Save the theatrics for Broadway!”

Greed for Attention:
“Are you the one-man show stealing the spotlight in your presentation? Avoid the sin of greed for attention by engaging your audience, not overpowering them. Remember, it’s a presentation, not a soliloquy. Share the limelight and watch your audience applaud!”

Prideful Paranoia:
“Ah, the prideful presenter – so worried about looking perfect that they forget to connect with their audience. Avoid the sin of prideful paranoia by embracing your imperfections and letting your authentic self shine through. After all, nobody wants to watch a robot give a speech!”

In conclusion, steering clear of these 7 deadly sins of public speaking can transform your presentation from a snooze-fest to a standing ovation extravaganza. So, next time you take the stage, remember: keep it engaging, keep it real, and above all, keep it sin-free (or at least sin-lite)!

About the author: Sumesh Khatua is a Talent development and Learning and Development leader with 20 years of experience. He is a much sought after public speaker and specialises in people development solution. The views expressed by him are personal.

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