Natasha Josefowitz
author, Paths to Power

LANGUAGE OF LEADERSHIP
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Bring Your Authentic Self To The Podium

Every now and then, a presenter walks up to the podium and takes charge of the room. She makes you hang on every word, fields the most difficult questions and always keeps her cool. We say she has presence or charisma. Some people seem to be born that way. They intuitively connect their heart and head, deftly weave stories and data and use silence and stillness as powerful tools.

There are things we can learn to do to make our presentations more dynamic and engaging – from preparation to PowerPoint through delivery.

photo: Jim Lee

Here are some keys to help you bring your authentic self to the podium and leave your mark.

• Prepare your speech as though you are answering questions you wish someone would ask you.

• Stories and data are the heart and soul of effective presentations.

• Talk out loud as you prepare because writing for the ear is different than writing for the eye.

• Use active language.

• To be present, never memorize a speech. Write it out if that helps you get organized, then, if you need notes, highlight the key words or phrases in each paragraph, and bring that piece of paper to the podium.

• Videotape a rehearsal, view it, make adjustments, then videotape again.

• Figure out a way to answer questions you hope no one will ever ask you. Someone surely will.

• Trust your intuition.

• Silence and stillness are powerful tools.

• Create PowerPoint slides to imprint what you say, not to repeat it. The fewer words the better. Images are even better

• Do whatever it takes to feel comfortable before you give a speech.

• Avoid people and situations that make you feel uncomfortable or sap your confidence or energy before you speak.

• Get a good night’s sleep.

• Grab eye contact with individual people in the audience.

• Claim the space you’re in with a long, easy spine.

• Breathe.

• Remind yourself what juices you about your work – where your passion is.

• Picture yourself as you want to be seen.

• Embrace your audience with the sense that everyone has a piece of the Truth and that you've come to exchange information.

Excerpt from Managing Impressions workbook ©

• Language of Leadership

• Harvest Women's Experience

• Women in Academia

• Teach Dynamically

• Manifest the Wisdom of Teams

• Problem-Solve Mindfully

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