A clear message in a presentation is critical to its success and Molly Graham’s TED Talk shares one that many may find challenging but very helpful.
All too often our message is lost as we overwhelm our audience with data. If we don’t craft and deliver a clear message we can be assured that not only will our audience not hear it but that they will forget most of what they do hear by the time they return to their desk.
Molly Graham’s TED Talk is a lovely example of how to deliver a bold message in a very simple and compelling way. I realise that it isn’t a business presentation. It’s not a quarterly update, project report or sales pitch. Despite that, I believe that there is plenty we can take from it.
Her opening line was one that I could relate to and have experienced and I believe will resonate with many people:
“There’s a lot of pressure around what it takes to build a great career. And it all comes back to this idea that you’re supposed to know what you want to do.”
How many of us know what we want to do?
If you do and you are completely happy with your choice her message won’t particularly resonate with you. On the other hand, if you’re not completely at enthralled by what you’re doing and have thought about taking a risk, perhaps you too have had this thought; “I wonder. I wonder if I can be capable in this completely new environment.”
Molly Graham’s TED Talk is one of ‘what is’ versus ‘what could be’
Every great presentation starts with an opening which captures the audience’s attention, interest and curiosity. After acknowledging the pressure involved in building a great career she refers to it as an idea she likes to call, “the stairs.”
This is where many of us can begin to relate to ‘what is’
“Here’s how the stairs go. You show up in college, and you’re supposed to know what you want to major in. That major is supposed to lead you to your first job, and then you get another job, and you get promoted and promoted and promoted forever. The best part about the stairs is safety and security. It feels like you know what you need to do to get ahead. The worst part of the stairs is that it’s like a weird video game that you can get stuck inside of for years. The stairs will make you feel like your self-worth is tied to your title, or your last performance rating, or your next promotion.”
Then a bold statement which some may find controversial
“But the truth is that the stairs are an illusion.
These days, excellent careers are not built by excellent stair climbers.”
Molly Graham’s TED Talk turns to ‘what could be’
It’s a personal story of fear, doubt, risk and courage.
If you connect with her message then you will connect equally with her closing:
“I know that what I’m talking about isn’t easy. It takes bravery to trade the known for the unknown. It takes courage to do something that might seem like a step sideways or backwards to someone else. But you will never really know who you are or what you are capable of until you learn how to try.”
Key takeaways
Clarity of message – Forget the corporate ladder — winners take risks
“ You will never really know who you are or what you are capable of until you learn how to try.”
Opening with purpose and impact – “There’s a lot of pressure around what it takes to build a great career.”
Opening with purpose and impact – “It takes bravery to trade the known for the unknown.”
The power of storytelling and vulnerability
Presenting at a lovely pace
The rule of three – “To get good at jumping off cliffs, you have to get good at three things.”
The value of pausing
The impact of similes – “The worst part of the stairs is that it’s like a weird video game that you can get stuck inside of for years.”
Humility – I am comfortable sounding like a moron.”
Watch the full TED Talk here:
If you’d like help unleashing your public speaking genius:
– Book yourself onto a powerful public speaking course.
– Invest in some really good one to one public speaking coaching.
– Get yourself some excellent presentation training
Image courtesy of Canva.com
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