Perfection Trap

17 Aug Perfection Trap

Last week in Chicago, one of our workshop attendees composed a script for an exercise on openings. It was well written, but meant for reading, not speaking. Not surprisingly, when he delivered his open, he stumbled.

Two problems. First, he attempted to memorize or read it word for word. And when he varied from his “script” he couldn’t think on his feet. Second, by hewing to the words as written, he couldn’t pay attention to his audience and possibly change course to better engage them.
 
There are other issues when writing out your presentation, besides the inordinate amount of time it takes. We don’t talk in complete, perfectly constructed sentences. We speak in phrases and use pauses for emphasis—which has no translation in the written form.

Instead, use an outline. Most of us aren’t trained actors who know how to make a script sound like our own. And aside from screenwriters, the rest of us can’t write dialogue that matches vernacular speech.

Even for longer presentations, sketch out an outline with trigger words, not entire sentences. This will keep the flow of your presentation intact and prompt you to speak in your own style. And it will allow for inspiration, without fear of losing your place. Relish the freedom of connecting with your audience, and they will enjoy the sound of your unvarnished voice.