It’s time for the big presentation. You’ve done your homework, you’ve fine tuned your PowerPoint, the introduction is over and now it’s your moment. What should you do first? Straighten your tie? Thank your hosts? Tell a joke? Dive right into the PowerPoint? Open with a provocative quote?
These are all great ideas. Considering each one, you may find that you can set your presentation off on any number of creative courses. But none of these solutions are the first thing you should do at the beginning of your speech.
What should you do first? How about nothing?
The poet Allen Ginsberg once reminded his audience, “It’s never too late to do nothing at all!” Although the bearded one was alluding to ideas that evolved from his Buddhist faith, his exhortation is worth considering when standing in front of the audience.
The next time you take the podium, why not take the time to capture the power of silence?
Break it Up
When you take the time to simply be silent, you create a break in the action that focuses the audience’s attention on you and what you are about to present. Your audience is full of distractions: the wife’s phone call, the boss’ email, the previous speaker’s conclusion, the coming lunch break, etc. Don’t try to compete with all of these unknowns. Begin your presentation with silence. Pleasantly look your audience in the eyes and do nothing for several moments.
Don’t Race Your Pace
Speaking too quickly is one of the most common errors we make in our presentations. It is a typical nervous response to the anxiety of presenting. When you begin with silence, you remind yourself to slow down. You’ll actually calm down physically and you’ll be able to
pace your presentation properly.
Commanding Confidence
More than anything else, beginning your presentation with silence will convey a commanding confidence to your audience. Silence says, “I’m not nervous.” It says, “I am completely prepared.” And – most importantly – it says, “It’s time to listen.”
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