190 REFINE AND REHEARSE
her to eliminate the fillers almost immediately. I’ve used it a
few times since with equal success. Of course, this technique
requires a second person to watch you and to tap the glass
during your presentation rehearsal. Record yourself, and play it back in the presence of others.^
If you are serious about improving your presentation skills, record
yourself on video, and replay it with someone else in the room.
You don’t have to tape your entire presentation, just the first
five minutes. That should give you all the information you need
to make some adjustments. You might be floored to hear how
many filler words you use. For most people, simply watching
themselves on video is enough to overcome some issues. Video
feedback is even more effective in the presence of others who
can pick up on some verbal mannerisms you might overlook.A few “um”s and “ah”s from time to time will not detract
from your ability to persuade an audience, but a steady stream
of fillers can damage your efforts. The good news is that once
you are made aware of the problem, you can easily follow the
suggestions here to reduce or eliminate them.can’t put the brakes on designs and plans set in motion years
ago. In January, I spoke to a group of auto executives who were
designated spokespeople for new car models arriving soon to
showrooms in North America. They were looking for advice
on how to answer tough questions from the media. The same
day, U.S. secretary of state–designate Hillary Clinton was field-
ing questions from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in
a confirmation hearing. The Associated Press called her perfor-
mance “smooth,” and NBC’s Tom Brokaw said Clinton is known
for her “legendary” preparation. I told the auto execs to prepare
for tough questions in the same way that Clinton had probably
prepared for her five-hour appearance.
It’s a technique I call the “bucket method,” and it is used in
one form or another by CEOs, politicians, and, yes, Steve Jobs,