The Leadership Training Activity Book: 50 Exercises

(^210) THE LEADERSHIP TRAINING ACTIVITY BOOK
How do you rate your ability to create an enticing introduction and a
compelling conclusion?
How do you rate your use of visual aids to enhance your
presentations?
How do you rate your energy during the delivery of your
presentations?
Step 5: Now give people time to share what they know about presentations.
Start by putting one of the colored signs at each of five tables
(Confidence, Organization, Introductions and Conclusions, Visual Aids,
and Delivery).
Tell each participant to decide to which of these five areas they will
be contributing suggestions. Encourage people to select one of their
highest rated areas, but it is fine if they have ideas relating to areas in
which they are weak. Let them chose the area.
Participants should divide into small groups according to the area
they have chosen to focus on and use the flipchart paper and markers to
list the ideas the group will suggest.
When everyone is finished, each group will present its suggestions.
Embellish what they present with your own tips. Here are a few:
Step 6: Tips on Making Good Presentations
Enhance your confidence.
Gather all the information you can about your audience’s knowledge
of the content, the setting, and the equipment you plan to use.
Step 7: Now do some visualization. Ask participants to close their eyes and think
of a very good speaker they know. Ask, “What is the expression on his or
her face? What gestures are used? Does he or she move around while
talking? Is there any use of visual aids? Move forward until the speech is
done. What are the audience’s reactions?
Keep your eyes closed. Now remove the face of this speaker and put
yours on the body. Make your facial expressions animated. “Watch
yourself making gestures. See yourself moving around a little, but not
pacing. Look out at the audience and see how well they are responding.
Give a strong conclusion, and listen to the applause.”
Suggest that they visualize several times as they plan and practice
their presentations. Tell them that closing their eyes prevents distraction.