In my post Collaboration Trumps Control, I made the point that participants want to play an active role in any type of presentation – face-to-face or via any of the distance communication modes. Presenters and trainers have, for years, discussed the behavior and likely locations where people who challenge your presentation will sit. Many years ago, as a novice, I heard this and believed it was true. Yet, over the past 18 years, I’ve come to realize this is only true for people who thrive on control. With rare exception (politics), participants do not want you to fail. Here’s how to succeed in any presentation give.

For over ten years now, participants to any type of face-to-face or distance communication presentation have taken a decidedly more active role in the process. In the past, speakers could, and to some degree, were expected to work their own agenda in the presentation while the participants quietly sat by and paid attention. The “rebels” who challenged the presentation were seen as just that, rude people who didn’t conform to the accepted etiquette of sit quietly, pay attention, and ask questions only when the presenter said it was OK. It is very strange to actually write this out yet this is generally how the process worked. All I can say is thank you to all the rebels who challenged this process! You were the precursors to our collaborative approach today.

Gen X and Gen Y grew up having active control over their daily activities. Now, they are in business and attending presentations today with this same thought process – I want active control. Interestingly, Baby Boomers always wanted the same thing yet were conditioned to keep this desire in check until they ran the business. No wonder they are so frustrated at Gen X and Gen Y!

Here is what your entire audience is thinking: I want to have answers to the questions and issues that are relevant to me right now.

Thanks to Gen X and Gen Y, “control” as a primary mode for delivering anything from town hall meetings to sales presentations is becoming extinct. THANK YOU!

For those that choose “control” over trust and collaboration, you will indeed believe that people in the audience want you to fail. There is nothing further from the truth, they just want you to release that death grip on your agenda and let others play an active role in the process. Admittedly, that first step in letting go of control will feel like a huge one. Don’t worry; you’ve got lots of resources and people around to help you along the path.

Posted by Byron Van Arsdale
Author – Executive Conference Call Leadership
ConferenceCallTraining.com

Tweet This Post