The Presentation Prescription: First, Do No Harm

“Is A Strategic Storyboard Worth the Hassle?”“First do no harm” – hey, isn’t that part of the Hippocratic Oath for doctors? I know. I always thought so. But I was wrong.

I just found out that oath doesn’t exactly say, “first, do no harm.” Plus, many sources don’t believe Hippocrates even wrote it. And today, doctors say something that captures the spirit of this oath–although the details vary. Another myth busted.

But while investigating, I found at this same link, an excellent translation for the famous oath. And it got me thinking.

“Declare the past; diagnose the present; foretell the future; practice these acts. As to diseases, make a habit of two things–to help, or at least to do no harm.”

Sounds remarkably similar to a prescription for a great presentation. You know…the one you wish you could give. The one you wish everyone else would give. The one you want to hear from your favorite presidential candidate. That one.

Let’s take it — bit by bit.

“Declare the past.”
In just about every business presentation, you want to set the stage or context. Describe this by answering the question, “What led up to this point?”

The past sets the scene. Use history to expose the causes for a problem or issue. Help your audience understand the events, needs, trends and factors, which led up to this moment or this situation.

“Diagnose the present”
This is a big part of what’s called in learning theory, WIIFM (What’s In It For Me.) In casual terms you could just answer this question, “Why should your audience even care?”

Diagnosing the present is all about making a match to the audience. Make an exact match and they’ll hang on your every word.

This is where you must paint a richer picture–with words, colors, and images. Describe your solution. Share your business model. Show your essential technology. Make your present-state clear, compelling and concise. This makes your presentation that much more real and vivid for your viewers.

“Foretell the future”
Imagine what’s possible if …

This is the envisioning stage. You have to answer the question, “What’s next?” This can be a future from all different aspects… What is the competition? What future trends support your concept? What are potential threats to your project?

What will happen if your audience acts? What does the future hold if they do not act?

One to the biggest part of foretelling the future in every business presentations is future of money. The question you have to answer is, ” What’s the return on investment?” What’s the cost? And, what’s the future benefit? What are the financial projections and milestones?

Past. Present. And future.

This is a natural organizing principle for all kinds of presentations. From project launch to investor presentations. From training design to sales meetings. From trial presentations to non-profit requests for funding.

Most likely, you already use it–but may not have thought about it in this context.

Many presenters use this three-step formula to organize their story. Sadly, too many get lost. Either in history. In the present detail. Or in the future. Don’t be a lost presenter. Guide your audience with authority and clarity to see this big picture.

Experiment with how you can use this simple structure to get organized. Instantly, you’ll see how to organize a powerful blueprint for your next meeting or presentation.

But don’t stop there. Take a good look at the second part of the oath. It’s not just good for ethical practice of medicine.

It’s just good business. And common sense.

“Make a habit of two things–to help or at least to do no harm.”

As a presenter, you have a choice. Your intention is your choice. You have the power to help…or at least do no harm. What does each of these choices play out in the meeting room?

What does “Help” look like?
Does your presentation engage people? Do your words, pictures and flow stimulate lively discussion? Have you allowed time to hear from your audience for a two-way conversation?

Is it easy for your audience to understand the context of your presentation? This may be wall-charts; posters or photos that help your audience remember the big picture of your content.

Does your presentation help people discover solutions? This quality of discovery is what people really value–making conclusions for themselves. Seeing how all the pieces fit together.

What does “Harm” feel like?
Does your presentation harm your audience? Is your presentation boring and monotone? Are you clicking through a tedious sequence of poorly designed slides? Do people have to squint, sweat and suffer through confusing data displays?

“Power Point is Evil” was the title of an article in Wired,
where Yale professor Edward Tufte describes the dangers of information abuse. He details the rampant use, abuse and dangers of relying exclusively on this tool without examining its effect.

And I bet that you are all too familiar with the signs and symptoms of poor communication that happens when presenters offer more harm than help to their audiences.

It’s not the slides fault, you know. Or even the limitations of the medium. But here’s how it looks…

• Presenter reading the slides
• Bullet point only slides
• Hundreds of slides without variety
• Confusing data charts crammed into a tiny space
• Sequences without any big picture

I’m not sitting or standing next to you…so I have to be right up front and ask you now, “are you guilty of these habits?”

If so, there’s hope. Keep in mind; it’s just a habit. And you can change–even though it’s February. There is still time this year to resolve to learn new healthy habits and abandon harmful ones.

I’m not suggesting that you abandon using Power Point. I know that in your environment it’s the perfect tool for many of the situations, meetings and presentations you give. I am urging you, for the health and well being of your audience, to make a commitment to create a presentation that is easy to watch and helpful for your viewers.

Here’s a quick-start plan to kick out the worst habits:

• Put your speaker notes in the note field
• Write short key points on slides
• Only one bullet-point only slide in a row
• Simplify data charts: one chart per slide
• Show the “big picture” off-screen with wall charts or posters

As medicines go, not too bitter a medicine, is it? You see…the issue is not your choice of media. The issue is how you can care for your audience.

Do you want to help… or at least do no harm?

I’m convinced you want to reach your audience and help. So, make a quick action plan for yourself.

I urge you to do this for one simple reason. It’s easy to think about changing a habit…but the best intentions often languish on a ‘to-do’ list if you don’t have a goal and a target date. Make your specific action plan.

Pick one of the habit-changers. Which one should you select? The one that is easiest for you to do. Now, mark it on your calendar so you can apply this change to your next presentation. Got it? Good.

Repeat as directed until all five of these changes are part of your everyday presentation habits.

Now remember the phrase, “physician, heal thyself.” Go ahead and change that to, “presenter, heal thyself.” You’ll feel so much better and so will your audience!

Go ahead. Hippocrates would be thrilled!