Presentation Personas.

We don’t need to change who we are when we present.

Instead, we can own what’s already working well.

Those who have a good time presenting know what they do well and simply build on it.

Once you know what you’ve got and why it works, you can take it to the next level.

The tool to get started is to identify your authentic presentation style.

Here are the six presentation personas we teach in our presentation training workshops.

Which sound like you?

Reserved Professional

As a Reserved Professional, you may let your work/credentials do the talking. You’ll likely calmly speak through your key points.

Audiences warm to you because you’re gentle, low-key and approachable.

You can go to the next level by ensuring your audience knows you want to be there. Consider a story, joke, or personal story unique to you. Make concepts real to your audience by explaining flow on effects in practical, real world terms.

Performer

As a Performer, you may enjoy MC’ing / presenting. You’re also likely comfy presenting on the spot.

Audiences love you because you are comfortable, which makes them feel safe.

You can go to the next level by engaging the audience with real life examples that speak to their unique experiences. (E.g. ‘what is your question today?’). By preparing real life examples, your audience is more likely to believe you have considered their lived experience. Remember engagement is a two way experience. The more your audience interacts with you through verbal or non verbal cues, the better.

The ‘Hype’ Person

As a ‘Hype’ Person, you may exude energy and passion. You’re probably great at on the spot one liners.

Audiences enjoy your style because your passion and energy incites action. You’re so engaging to watch and be entertained by.

Go to the next level by showing all your colours so people get to see highs and lows and relate to your experience. Specifically, try altering your style by introducing moments of quiet and curiosity. This’ll make the louder moments really pop, by contrast.

Research Superstar

As a Research Superstar, you may share key points and get right to the point. You might showcase the background to a key point to qualify it.

Audiences enjoy your style because you stick to the facts. No fluff! What a relief.

Go to the next level by preparing a story to paint a picture. Provide the flow on effect or big picture that your presentation or update fits into. Translate what it means for the audience in real life terms so they can remember it. Remember, an analogy or visual aid helps people repeat what you taught them because it sticks in their minds.

Dinner Party Host

As a Dinner Party Host, you may be relaxed on stage and love quick quips. You’re probably great on the spot too, able to think on the fly.

Audiences love you because your humour lightens the mood and makes them feel at ease. You are so relaxed with a microphone that people instantly feel comforted.

Go to the next level by showcasing competence. Balance the show with credentials, statistics or references to help more data-led people like Research Rockstars take in everything you have to offer.

Teacher

As a Teacher, you may have a clear structure in your presentation with explicit ‘whys’ and ‘how’s.

Audiences enjoy your style because you’re in charge. It’s clear how they can participate. As a result, they feel they can relax, knowing you’ve got this.

Go to the next level by balancing ‘rules’ with scheduled interactivity. Share behind the scenes, off the cuff stories, to make concepts real to life. Remember learning dictates that people have time to think out loud, and play around with ideas. Schedule that time in advance, and reduce the amount of content you present to level up your interactivity.

Which persona sounds like you?

Maybe you’re a mash up of a few?

Once you own how you naturally communicate, the way you experience presenting changes.

Presenting with confidence.

Presenting with confidence means people can adapt their message effectively, for different audiences: a non-negotiable skill for any workplace. Bring this training to your team. Learn more.