Ok, so presenting isn’t a professional sport. Sure we get a rush of adrenaline when we take the stage and most of us work up a sweat as we garner the adulation of our peers and audiences alike, but it ain’t the Superbowl.
However, despite the relative humility that we all labor under as we attempt to perfect our PowerPoint presentations, it would be naïve to say there wasn’t at least a little bit of competition involved.
Again, we’re not trying to win a Stanley Cup, but it’s almost impossible to put time and energy into mastering a skill like presenting and not at least ask the question: Who is the best?
Although it’s tempting to draw up a list, that is rather beyond the scope of this site. Sorry. However, it is completely in keeping with our mission at SlideMagnet to take a look at some of the all time best presentations and see what we can learn from some of the greatest masters of the sport…err…umm…skill….
Take a look at these:
Steve Jobs 1984 Introduction of Macintosh
From the geeked-out bow tie, to the abracadabra-pull-the-Mac-out-of-a-sack to the use of the Chariots of Fire theme song, this presentation is a clinic of showmanship. Watch it. Learn it. Be it.
Malcolm Gladwell’s 2005 Blink Presentation
To witness this presentation is see a master storyteller in action. However, what is most interesting is the rules he breaks, not the ones he follows. Gladwell talks fast! Much faster than most of us could get away with. However, he can because he’s not lecturing, he’s painting pictures with words. I guess thats why he doesn’t even use slides? Outstanding!
Jesse Jackson’s 1984 David and Goliath Speech
Although Jackson didn’t win the Presidency, this speech is one of the greats and the good preacher’s use of an analogy between unregistered voters and the stone that killed the Biblical Goliath can still raise the hair on your arm. Even a simple analogy can turn the average pitch into a giant killer!
Lawrence Lessig’s 2002 Free Culture Presentation
Lessig’s impassioned plea for open-source culture is truly inspiring because he is a true believer. His intense belief in what he says is practically infectious, and his minimalist slides are among the few we would ever describe as gorgeous.
Lou Gehrig’s Farewell Speech
Saying goodbye to baseball and much, much more, Lou Gehrig’s farewell speech is the stuff that makes grown men cry, but Lou is the definition of grace under pressure. The next time the pressure of a presentation is getting the best of you remember Gehrig’s unshakable example and pull yourself together, slugger!
