To paraphrase Shakespeare, “some are born intelligent, others achieve PhD’s, and some have presentations thrust upon them.” Well, that may be an overreach of the term paraphrase, but it is still true. Perhaps like me, despite being the dumbest person in the room, you are the one standing on the podium speaking.
When that happens, how can ensure that you will be a successful speaker when speaking to those smarter than you? Here are five things that have helped me
Speak with authority and confidence, but not with arrogance
Because you showed up with a well-rehearsed and well-researched presentation backed by data (If not, see point 5), you have the right to speak with confidence and authority. At the same time, as it is impossible to know everything about the subject, you do not have the right to be arrogant.
As such, consider humbly stating that you are still learning, yet based on your research, you have some important findings to share. And then lean into what you have learned in your preparations and speak to those with confidence and a measure of authority.
This puts you into a similar position as to those in the room. Even the most brilliant are still learning, and they are there in the room to continue to learn. They will be happy to learn from you, unless of course, you act as an arrogant know-it-all which often triggers a response in other experts of fight (argue) or flight (fall asleep).
Speak truthfully, and come back to an answer when you don’t know
They say 37% of all statistics are made up. As such, someone may challenge your statistics, or ask questions that you may not have an answer to. If this happens, you may need to defer an answer. That may be hard, as we instinctively want to answer all questions, even if the answers are made up. But if you make up things to appear like the expert, those in the room may see through it, and it will cast doubt on your entire presentation. Instead, repeat the question, understand the question, and promise to return with an answer.
And of course, do return with an answer.
Know that the audience are people to, and speak to them as such
I have many colleagues with PhD’s, books and many technical papers to their name, but when you ask them about their weekend, discussion turns to their family and the quirks of raising toddlers, or the confusion of raising teenagers, or just the need to get away on a vacation. In other words, they are people, full of emotion, passion and complexity. They just also happen to be experts in their field.
As such, when building your presentation, don’t forget to tap into that which makes us human. Use meaningful quotes, photos, stories and illustrations to help convey your message. It will help make your message memorable, and something they will talk about when you are done.
Believe in your message, and what you want the crowd to know
When building your presentation, find the message you want the experts to walk away with. What do they need to know? What is in your material they should remember? What is it that you believe in? If you have these ideas firmly in mind, when you get up on the stage, you will be passionate to share the information, and it will come across to those in the audience. They will see the importance of it, and will listen.
Now, if you don’t believe in your message, or you simply don’t have a message, I suggest you feign illness on the day of the presentation. Don’t be on the stage, you have nothing to talk about.
Prepare, Practice, Polish
I was impressed when I saw some executives leave a meeting to go hear a dry run of a presentation that one of the presidents was about to give. He was already a recognized industry name, and carried all the credentials that qualified him among the best of experts, but there he was practicing his presentation in front of colleagues. He knew the value of practice and verifying what he was going to speak on, and how to deliver it. How much more important this step is for those of us less qualified.
So, my last recommendation when speaking to those smarter than you, is to do the work required before the presentation. First make sure all your references are accurate, and your technical findings backed by data. Take the time to understand the findings and what they mean, and when you don’t, find someone who can explain them to you.
With this behind you, the next step is to practice the presentation, outloud and often. If possible you may find it good to speak to colleagues who can offer constructive criticism. Then finally, polish your presentation until you give it. Then when you are on the stage, your presentation turns out to be an old friend there with you, helping you to speak to all those smarter than you in the audience.
Danny Dykes 