4 Steps to Master Work Presentations

READ TIME - 5 MINUTES

Presentation skills are critical for career advancement.

Unfortunately, most people struggle with this because they are rarely taught how to give effective presentations at work.

At one point in my career, my inability to deliver good presentations nearly derailed my progress.

I remember a senior executive telling me bluntly, "If you don't fix this challenge, I don't see you moving up." That hit me hard. I knew I had to take action.

Most people struggle with presentations because they simply don’t prepare and lean too much on their slides and memory.

They think they'll remember what to say, but when you're nervous, you won't remember a thing.

This lack of preparation is a major barrier to giving a successful presentation.

In this newsletter, I'll share the four steps I use before every presentation, which help me deliver a decent presentation every time, no matter how much time I have to prepare.

Let’s dive in.

Step 1: Plan Your Intro

The introduction is the most important part of any presentation. It helps me relax, own the room, and earn the audience's respect as a presenter. My intro always includes the same elements, regardless of the presentation type: my name, a thank you to the audience for their time, a brief summary of the agenda, and what they should expect during the presentation.

Most people struggle to kick off their presentations. I don’t because I use a template for every presentation. Sometimes I get asked to present on the spot, and I just pull out my agenda template and use it.

See the attached image for a sample of my typical intro.

Step 2: Break the Body into Small Pieces

I simplify the body of the presentation to help me remember the content and what needs to be conveyed.

If I have slides, I write down 2-3 key points I need to cover for each slide and stick to these bullets.

If I forget one, no one will know because they are my talking points.

I keep it simple and go straight to the point. I also write down my transitions between slides to come across as a storyteller.

If I don’t have slides, I break my presentation into three sections (three is my magic number) and do the same thing: 2-3 key points for each section with a transition.

See the attached image for an example of how I break down my talking points for one of the slides.

Step 3: Plan Your Ending

Just as I kick off the presentation with a clear structure, I end it the same way.

I remind the audience of what we covered and what the next steps are.

I keep it short and to the point, highlighting the exact next steps so we all leave with the same understanding.

I never leave it to the audience to conclude; I always wrap up.

Step 4: Rehearse Thoroughly

This is where most people fail.

Rehearsing until I no longer need to see the slides or even my talking points is crucial.

This is the step I wish someone had shared with me early in my career.

All my best presentations come after thorough rehearsal.

The bigger the audience and the more senior the attendees, the more I rehearse.

Performing well during presentations is a skill that you can build.

The more you practice, the better you become. After doing hundreds of presentations, I can now take 30-45 minutes to outline and get ready for any presentation.

These steps help you get the basics of preparing, but over time and with practice, you will add authenticity to your presentations and storytelling tactics. It's like learning to ride a bike: once you get the process down, you can do many tricks.

Don’t let presentations hold you back from advancing your career.

It’s a skill you can become proficient in. If you follow these steps, you will do better than the other 99% of people who show up to presentations without any preparation.

Your ability to deliver effective presentations is crucial for career advancement.

These four steps—planning your intro, breaking the body into small pieces, planning your ending, and rehearsing thoroughly—are not just steps; they are a mindset and a way of working.

Don’t let the fear of presenting hold you back. With the right preparation, you can excel and stand out.