Technology Can’t Beat the Human Connection

We can do a lot of cool stuff with presentation technology these days, and that’s exciting. In our posts, we often teach you about these new tools and encourage you to put them to use. But today we want to take some time to remember the importance of human connection and the balance between that and technology.

At the heart of presentations is a deeply human element that can’t be ignored. Public speaking always has been and always will be about people communicating with other people. That foundation won’t change. But amidst the trend of multimedia presentations that use a lot of technology, we have to make sure we aren’t losing that important human connection.

Human Connection

One of the things living through a pandemic has taught us is that technology can’t replace those personal touches that make human communication both imperfect and beautiful. Sure, we prefer having technology to being without it and it definitely helps. But it’s not a perfect substitute. Ask anyone enduring the difficulties of a long-distance relationship, and they’ll tell you that being together is what really matters.

And it’s not just about connection. It’s about establishing trust and learning more effectively, as well. In her article “The Science of Staying Connected” in The Wall Street Journal, Susan Pinker says, “As social animals, humans depend on physical gestures to make us feel that we can trust other people. Close proximity, back pats, hugs, handshakes, high-fives, even just locking eyes with someone for a moment—these are primitive signs that we’re accepted and belong somewhere.”

These are the types of things we miss when a presentation is delivered via video or when it is conducted via an online platform. Sharing real space and time matters. Pinker also cites the research of Patricia Kuhl which proves that we learn better face-to-face versus audio or visual transmission. Simply put, there is no real substitute for live presentations. It’s just not the same.

Tips for Using Presentation Technology

This doesn’t mean technology can’t help us create better presentations, though. It just means we shouldn’t rely on it to do things it can’t. Things like establishing connection through proximity or engaging in eye contact—the human element things. Here are a few tips to help you manage the human and technology elements of presenting.

  1. Find the balance. You don’t have to stop using presentation technology. You just have to balance it carefully with the foundations of great speaking—things like pitch variety, hand gestures, and eye contact.
  2. Know why you are using it. “Because I can” isn’t a sufficient reason to use the latest presentation technology. You should be able to identify what you want to use, and why you want to use it. Articulate how and why it helps you get your message across.
  3. Focus on the audience. Your reason for using presentation should always be about the audience, not about you. It’s designed to help you communicate your ideas in a more compelling way, but it’s always for them. If it’s not doing that, or if you are just showing off your skills, think again about for whom you are using it.
  4. Don’t make yourself obsolete. Don’t let your presentation technology upstage you. Remember, it’s human connection that matters. Technology can compliment you or assist you, but it should never replace you.

As you use technology to make your presentations engaging for your modern audience, don’t forget the foundations of public speaking. Don’t let the slides take your place. Don’t think that a video can do exactly what a live presentation can. Because it can’t. You, the human speaker, will always be the star of the show, the main method for connection. Approach your next presentation with that great and challenging news in mind.

At Ethos3, we can help with both the human and the technology elements of your presentation. Find out how.

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