Assertive Language:

avoid using “just” and “I guess”

SLIDES

  • transitions between slides are great places to connect, to add EQ, to engage with audience
  • to quote you: see it as a journey, that you are taking them on a journey with you through the slides

CHANGE CREATES ENERGY

  • body polls — engage the audience
  • have them use their bodies to share information
    • ex: show me with your hands on a scale of 1-10… / show me thumbs up or thumbs down / etc.
  • Movement creates energy
    • let yourself move around the stage. move intentionally (good way to do it is move between topics/concepts/slides, etc.)
    • if you are getting tired, move your body

OWN YOUR STORY

  • Own your story, your experience, your process by using “I, Me, My” pronouns
  • If it’s about you, there’s no way for them to get offended. If we make it general, this is how/where people could potentially get offended.
    • example: “it’s so important to focus on how to apply research in the real world” (could potentially be taken offensively if someone didn’t think of that) vs. “My brain always goes to the question of how I can apply this in the real world” (this is personal experience so there’s nothing that could be taken as offensive because it’s not about anybody else)
  • I’ve always be fascinated by… / “I always wonder about …” / “I’m drawn to questions of/about…”

Lips:

Use Carmex (in the little white tub w/ a yellow twist lid) or aquaphor before you start your presentation

Dry Mouth:

  • Rest the front 1/2 of your tongue gently up against the gum ridge (behind the upper front teeth) while keeping the back of the tongue relaxed (this position produces more saliva)
  • Tip: if your mouth is super dry, bite the tip of your tongue with your back molars and it will produce a quick wave of saliva
  • Drink little sips of water while on stage. Swish the water briefly around your mouth if needed to wet it.

Questions:

  • invite questions
  • Channel a mindset of interest, curiosity and excitement about potential questions
  • view questions as opportunities to share more about how you see it, how you think about it

Responding to Questions:

  • be sure to always start with a word or phrase of acknowledgment
    • ex: sure / definitely / you bet / thanks for asking that / yes / absolutely
  • add a short pause after the acknowledgment (just needs to be separated from your answer, pause can be short)