by Gilda Bonanno LLC
If you're a new grad (or have one in your life), here are three pieces of advice about presentation skills that will be helpful, whether you’re job hunting, taking time off, going back to school or already working,
1) Presentation Skills Are Skills
Since presentation skills are skills, it means that as with other skills, you can practice and get better at them. Sometimes we think that people are born great presenters. In my experience coaching everyone from front line managers to CEOs, that's true for only a very small percentage of people.
Most people who are appear amazing at presentation skills, have worked at it behind the scenes. You don't see all the hard work, effort, energy, practice, time and focus that they put in to make it look effortless.
The next time you see somebody who looks like they're a “natural” at presentation skills, remember that most of them started just where are you starting. If you dedicate time to improving your skills, practice and get helpful feedback (often from a coach), you can improve your presentation skills and become an excellent presenter.
2) The Success Formula ™: Knowledge + Communication = Success
It’s important to develop your competence and expertise in your chosen field, whether it’s something you went to school for or knowledge you develop on the job. But it’s not enough to be an expert. You also must be able to communicate that expertise to other people, especially particularly people who are not experts in that area.
If you have the rare combination of knowledge and the ability to communicate that knowledge effectively, you will stand out and be successful, because it’s so rare. Your brand will be built around the fact that you know your content and can communicate it well, even to people who are not experts…which leads me to my third piece of advice:
3) Every Presentation, Meeting and Networking Conversation is an Opportunity to Build Your Brand
A simple definition of branding is what people say about you when you’re not in the room. In that light, every presentation, meeting or networking conversation, whether in-person or virtual, is an opportunity to build your personal and professional brand.
Take advantage of the chance to help people learn who you are, what your experience is and what you bring to the table. Don’t forget, however, also to demonstrate that you’re a good listener because good presentation and communication skills are not just about talking, they are also about listening.
If you follow these three pieces of advice about presentation skills, you will be on your way to achieving more professional and personal success.
And if you’re reading this article and happen to know a new grad, please share this with them!
© Gilda Bonanno LLC - Gilda Bonanno serves as a trusted advisor to executives and entrepreneurs to transform their communication, presentation and leadership skills. She has worked with companies on 4 continents, from Chicago to Shanghai and Rio to Rome. The instructional videos on her YouTube channel have received over 1.5 million views and her e-newsletter has reached subscribers in over 45 countries since 2008. For other articles or to receive Gilda's e-newsletter, visit www.gildabonanno.com