Penn State Emerging Leaders

Penn State Emerging Leaders

Presentation Skills, Leadership Presence, and Networking

Goal

To enhance participants’ leadership presence, provide strategies and opportunities to expand their professional network, and practice presentation skills

Objectives

This 2-part seminar will help participants to:

· Create a framework for presentations

· Practice speaking in public

· Define leadership presence

· Develop an effective action plan to enhance leadership presence

· Write and use an elevator speech

· Identify and expand a professional network of contacts and colleagues

Guidelines for Writing a Presentation

Skillport Online Course: Basic Presentation Skills: Creating a Presentation

Purpose: Use this job aid to review the guidelines for writing an effective opening, middle, and closing section for a presentation. Every well-structured presentation contains an opening section, a middle section, and a closing section. When writing each section, follow the guidelines listed here.

Writing Guidelines /
Opening Section / Middle Section / Closing Section /
Introduce yourself properly and tell the audience why you're presenting to them / Limit the number of supporting points to from three to five / Reiterate the main points of your presentation
Provide the audience with a roadmap of what you'll be doing (how long the presentation will last, whether there will be Q&A at the end, and so on) / Elaborate on each of the supporting points, but don't give too much information / Give conclusions or recommendations (tell the audience what you want them to do next)
State the main point of the presentation / Use an organizing method to structure the content (number the points, repeat a theme, play on a popular theme, etc.) / Leave a memorable impression by ending with a quote or inspiring thought, or issuing a challenge to the audience
Tell the audience how the presentation will benefit them / Make sure the support material is clear, cohesive and convincing; points should be relevant and they shouldn't overlap / Thank the audience
Include an attention grabber to stimulate interest (a personal experience, hypothetical situation, startling fact, rhetorical question, or anecdote) / Make sure the support material is accurate by double-checking all facts and figures / Make a smooth transition to the next phase, so the audience knows what to expect next (a coffee break, another speaker, and so on)
Develop your attention grabber when the other pieces of your presentation are in place / Provide frequent directional signals, such as transitions and mini summaries
Make sure any anecdotes used are relevant to the presentation
Don't reveal anything personal that might make the audience uncomfortable
Only include humor if it's relevant to the presentation – never embarrass or offend the audience
Don't apologize at the start of the presentation

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Presentation Skills Resources

Penn State’s free, online training: http://ohr.psu.edu/learning/online/

Toastmasters: www.toastmasters.org

Toastmasters Tips &Techniques http://www.toastmasters.org/MainMenuCategories/FreeResources/NeedHelpGivingaSpeech/TipsTechniques.aspx

· Visual Aids & PowerPoint

· When Things Go Wrong

· Gestures: Get Moving!

· 10 Tips for Public Speaking

· 10 Biggest Public Speaking Mistakes

Toastmasters Business Presentations

http://www.toastmasters.org/MainMenuCategories/FreeResources/NeedHelpGivingaSpeech/BusinessPresentations.aspx

· Proposals and Pitches

· Technical Briefings

· Presenting Across Borders

· Introducing a Speaker

· Visual Aids & PowerPoint

Leadership Presence “Pictures”

One-Minute Presentations

Each person will have up to one minute to share with the large group why they chose as someone who has leadership presence.

Your “speech” will be timed!

Defining Leadership Presence

After writing down your responses to the following questions, please discuss within your small group.

1. What did you learn about leadership presence?

2. Explain what this means in relation to the goals that you have set out for participating in Penn State Emerging Leaders.

Elements of a Positive Professional Image / Leadership Presence

Consider the professional image you promote. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, rate each element of your professional image.
Self
· Values
· Attitudes
· Behavior
· Risk
· Fear / _____ Self
Self-Esteem
· Self-Confidence
· Self-Worth
· Self-Respect / _____ Self-Esteem
Communication Skills
· Speaking
· I Statements
· Listening
· Networking
· Verbal
· Non-verbal
· Telephone
· Humor / _____ Communication Skills
Competency & Knowledge
· Willingness to help others
· Showing capability vs. showing off
· Attitude about work and the workplace
· Committed to lifelong learning / _____ Competency & Knowledge
Appearance
· Attire
· Behavior / _____ Appearance

Develop an Effective Action Plan to Enhance

Your Professional Image / Leadership Presence

A positive self-image involves:

· Projecting an appropriate appearance

o How does your outward appearance influence others’ perceptions of leadership presence?

· Demonstrating high self-esteem and confidence

· Using strong communication skills to effectively give and receive information

Please use the space below to write what you would like to work on:

My Self:

My Self-Esteem:

My Communication Skills:

My Competency & Knowledge:

My Appearance:

Components of an Elevator Speech

What exactly is an elevator speech?

An “elevator speech” is a short, prepared presentation that grabs attention and says a lot in a few words. By telling your core message, you will be marketing yourself in a way that will make others want to know more about you.

Why prepare multiple elevator speeches?

Because your elevator speech is geared to a specific audience, your elevator speech will include information that will be meaningful to them. Remember, you only have a short amount of time to grab and keep their attention. Make it memorable to them!

Where and when do I use this elevator speech?

Elevator speeches are very effective when you meet someone for the first time, at a networking event, a conference, or during a meeting. A common question is, “What do you do?” Avoid “Name and Title” responses that may not adequately describe the impact of what you do. It may also be boring!

To whom do I present my elevator speech?

You want to know your audience as you write your elevator speech variations. If you answer these questions, you’ll deliver a memorable elevator speech!

Who Who is my audience?

What What information do I want to get across?

So What Why should others care about this information?

Fine Tune Your Elevator Speech

Pre-work was to draft your Elevator Speech

Fine Tune Your Elevator Speech:

Practice Your Elevator Speech

· Practice saying your Elevator Speech with a 3 people.

· Remember, you have up to 30 seconds to deliver your speech.

· Listen for feedback and change if appropriate.

Building a Professional Network

1. In the center circle, write down all the clubs, groups, organizations, and committees that you are a member. These can be work-related or personal.

2. In the second circle, list individual names who are in the same club, group, organization, and committee.

3. In the final circle, write down other clubs, groups, organizations, and committees the people identified in the second circle belong to.

Surprises and Feasibility

1. What surprised you about your personal network?

2. How feasible is it now to use a path in your network to gather more information?

3. If you don’t have many connections in your circle, how can you increase your network?

Networking DOs and DON’Ts

First and foremost, be intentional about networking: have a purpose!

DOs / DON’Ts
Be visible.
Place name tag on right shoulder. / Don’t let shyness be a reason not to network.
Think about your introduction, your attire, and entire presence BEFORE you network. / Don’t forget that your appearance and demeanor represent your firm.
Don’t have wimpy handshake.
Build solid relationships. / Never, ever ask for anything from someone you've just met or who you don't have any relationship with.
Have a diverse network. / Don't ignore referrals.
Maintain contacts. / Don’t offer your business card until you’ve developed a connection.
Thank everyone in your network. /

Social networking sites DON’Ts:

· Don't badmouth your current or previous employer.
· Don't mention your job search on a social networking site if you're still employed.
Your Online Professional Network: LinkedIn
LinkedIn
If you’re new to LinkedIn and want to learn more, there are many free, online resources at http://lynda.psu.edu
Characteristics of a great LinkedIn invitation
• A brief idea of how you heard about the connection.
• A personalized message.
• If we have met, how we met.
• Attention to detail.
Additional tips
· Keep your profile photo professional and current
· Create a concise, engaging, and specific headline
· Be strategic in adding and accepting connections
· Recommendations are powerful
Adapted from http://www.careerealism.com/linkedin-networking-not-do/ and http://www.cio.com/article/468067/LinkedIn_Etiquette_Five_Dos_and_Don_ts?page=1&taxonomyId=3119

Action Steps after this Seminar

Assignments to complete before we meet again on Thursday, October 22, 2015.

1. Implement your action plan for leadership presence.

2. Practice your elevator speech.

3. Attend any networking event before Thursday, October 22.

4. Blog about your experience and lessons learned

5. Prepare a 3-4 minute speech or presentation on the topic of your choice to present on Thursday, October 22.

Additional Resources

Presentation Survival School: Quick Reference Guide

Types of Visual Aids
Type / Advantage / Disadvantage / Notes
Slides / ü Quality images
ü Efficient
ü Reusable / ü Cost for stock photography/clip art
ü Take time to prepare
ü Projector not always available / ü Focus
ü Make sure they are properly saturated (deep color)
Whiteboard / ü Inexpensive
ü Flexible / ü Not impressive
ü Smell of markers
ü Dirties hands / ü Write neatly
ü Have eraser handy and extra markers
VCR/DVD / ü Stimulating to audience
ü May be supplied free of charge by public libraries
ü Can insert DVD clips directly into slides / ü Audiences drift
ü Tricky to run / ü May want to cue to several instances, rather than whole film
Flip Charts / ü Pre-writing makes them easy to use
ü Available everywhere / ü Too small for more than 20 people
ü Wasting paper? / ü Use top 2/3 of page only
ü 5X5 rule
ü Practice writing
Handouts / ü Inexpensive
ü Flexible
ü Easy to prepare / ü Take time to prepare
ü Wasting paper? / ü Must look professional
ü Proofread
Models / ü Effective if notes attached / ü May get lost if passed around
ü Difficult to find appropriate ones
ü Expensive to buy / ü Must be visible
Fifteen Ways to Master a Meeting / When to Speak Up in A Meeting
1. Know everybody’s name.
2. Know what everybody does.
3. Be careful about personal comments.
4. Don’t create subconscious barriers to communication.
5. Sit erect and square your shoulders.
6. Discuss but don’t argue.
7. The head of the table is a seat considered to have some power or authority.
8. Another good is a corner, because you can make eye contact with more people.
9. If you are seated and an important person enters the room, stand up to shake hands.
10. If you are holding the meeting, reserve the most impressive, appropriately appointed conference room, when the meeting warrants it.
11. If it is your meeting, lead it!
12. If it is your meeting, have an agenda and let people know why they are attending the meeting.
13. Start and end on time.
14. If it is someone else’s meeting, take responsibility and participate.
15. Demonstrate high energy and involvement. / o When you know you can clarify a point
o When you can supplement pertinent information or furnish convincing statistics
o When you can correct an error
o When you wish to ask a question
o When you can give credit that’s due
o When you have a good idea or an original suggestion
o When someone else has taken your idea and presents it as their own
Be brave! A great way to get more confident at speaking in front of others is to volunteer to chair meetings. Let your boss know that you want to improve and that you are up the challenge!
And remember: prepare. Do your homework. If you plan to speak on an issue, know what you are talking about. Clarity and conciseness takes preparation.
Audience Profile / Preparing Your Introduction
o Who is the decision maker or decision makers?
o How much does the decision maker(s) view the situation?
o How does the decision maker(s) view the situation?
o How will the decision maker(s) react to the proposal?
o Who else will attend the presentation?
o What are their views of the presentation or proposal?
o Who else will be affected by this presentation?
o What’s the next step?
o What is my revised objective or fallback position? / Your introduction should:
ü Grab their attention
ü State your purpose
ü Explain your agenda
ü Show personal and specific benefits
Other ways to begin your presentation include:
ü A question asking about the audience’s concerns.
ü A rhetorical question, such as: “Can you teach people to be creative?”
ü A statement of your qualifications.
Remember: An audience will remember best that you say first and what you say last.
Five Points for Any Presentation
Tips on Using Graphics / Overcoming Nervousness
ü Be generous with white space.
ü Use clear headings and sub-headings.
ü Highlight, but don’t overdo it.
ü Types of highlighting can include bullets, italic print, underlining, bold, and color.
ü Use graphics with caution. Make sure they mean the same thing to the audience that they do to you. Don’t ask technology to do your job. If is a tool that supports the presentation you deliver, and not responsible for the success of the presentation.
ü Always have a backup plan in case the technology fails because it will. / o Allow plenty of time to check out the room and equipment.
o Start on time.
o Greet people as they come in. Chat casually with people you know until it’s time to start.
o Eliminate any physical barriers that stand between the audience and you.
o If you’re behind a table or lectern, move away from it.
o Don’t cling to the podium or tour projector.
o Do some deep breathing.
o Avoid caffeine, which can increase anxiety and jitters.
o Speak about things that you care about.

Presentations Skills, Leadership Presence, & Networking 17 Center for Workplace Learning & Performance