I have something to offer. And I suspect our Prime Minister will not like hearing what it is. Let me explain.
One of the most enjoyable parts of my career was teaching Professional Presentation Skills. I delivered the courses at two universities and several national associations, and I was retained by large corporations and government departments to help people present better, facilitate better, and pitch better.
Over those years I ran into the same scenario more times than I can count: the CEO, president, or Grand Poobah who decided what I did was, in the words of one of them, “full of shit.”
I heard that a lot. Still makes me laugh. And it never bothered me because of one thing – results. Positive amazing results each and every time!
Here is one example. (I am still deciding whether to name the firm.)
The HR person and the staff wanted the training, so we went ahead with a two-day course. It went very well. The president, of course, did not attend.
At the end of the second day, HR asked if I would do the boss a favour. They were pitching a major client and he wanted the rehearsal filmed.
I had the gear. I was happy to help.
A quick sidebar: I had competed against this organization many times in pitches and never lost. The chairman in New York had even spoken to me about running the Canadian operation. I had previously been Senior Partner and Creative Director, Brand Building, for USWeb/CKS and marchFIRST in Canada. Those guys. I still have the T-shirt — the one with the bullet holes and bloodstains.
I set up in the conference room and started filming. Four or five people on the pitch team, if I remember correctly. I took a lot of notes.
When they finished they asked what I thought.
“Looks okay,” I said, “but you could do a lot better.”
“Like what?” someone asked.
I ran the video back and walked them through the notes — the obvious missteps, the awkward moments, the places where the presentation simply fell apart. I never said this but … it really sucked.
I have done this many times. When people see themselves on camera, the lights go on. Some of the team looked as if they wanted to slide under the table.
That is the turning point.
When you sit in a senior position and have never properly worked on your presentation skills, the hard truth is simple: you suck at presenting. Presenting does NOT come naturally it is an acquired skill. And nobody is going to tell you the truth.
My job has always been to show people exactly what the audience sees. Once they see it, most of them get serious about fixing it. No, I stand corrected, every one of them went about fixing it!
That particular firm – one of the better-known and biggest brand consultancies – brought me back for the next couple of years to review their pitches. I loved it! They loved it! They won pitches.
Which brings me to the Prime Minister.
In my view he does not present well. And, he is not alone. I have worked with plenty of very senior people who had the same problem. The difference is whether they are willing to do something about it.
At the very least, the constant “ums” we all see and hear can be cleaned up. So can the other tics and habits that weaken a presentation. None of it is especially difficult to correct.
The only real question is whether he will.
Or while I have ya here … will you?
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