Presenting Without PowerPoint: Lessons from Simon Sinek

Is PowerPoint the first tool you reach for when called to present?

Simon Sinek’s inspirational TED talk, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action,” is a shining example of how effective public speakers can engage and inspire an audience without relying on slides.

With 21 million YouTube views, it’s clear why Simon is regarded as a “visionary thinker with a rare intellect.” Many brilliant TED presenters can capture and maintain their audience’s undivided attention without using PowerPoint, and Simon Sinek illustrates this beautifully.

At Mindful Presenter, we often share TED.com videos during our presentation training workshops. These examples help delegates evaluate what works well and what doesn’t, in terms of style, structure, and approach. Sinek’s talk demonstrates the immense lessons we can learn from stepping away from the traditional slide deck.

Engaging Your Audience

Simon Sinek speaks with passion, authority, and impact. Most presenters understand the importance of crafting a compelling opening to capture their audience’s attention. In his presentation, Simon models this perfectly. He kicks off by challenging his audience with not one, but five thought-provoking questions:

– How do you explain why things don’t go the way we assume?

– How do you explain how others achieve things that seem to defy all expectations?

– Why is Apple so innovative?

– Why did Martin Luther King lead the civil rights movement?

– Why did the Wright brothers succeed in powered flight when better-funded teams failed?

These questions immediately engage the audience and spark curiosity about the answers. He tells us that 3½ years ago, he made a discovery that profoundly changed his perspective on how the world works. Yet, remarkably, he has not used PowerPoint; he pauses and shares his revelation using a simple flip chart.

The Golden Circle

Using the flip chart, he draws the “Golden Circle” with three rings labelled “WHY,” “HOW,” and “WHAT.”

This visual representation serves as a powerful tool to convey his ideas without the need for slides.

After establishing this framework, he asks five more pivotal questions that delve deeper into the subject, showing his control and ownership of the presentation:

– What’s your purpose?

– What’s your belief?

– What’s your cause?

– Why does your organization exist?

– Why do you get out of bed in the morning, and why should anyone care?

Great presenters go beyond simply telling their audience information, they show it. Simon does this using the globally recognised brand, Apple. To emphasise his key message, he repeats, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it”, a phrase delivered with emphasis and resonance throughout the presentation.

Overcoming Challenges

Suddenly, his microphone fails, but he swaps it out without a hitch, displaying poise and professionalism. As he has his audience fully engaged, he elevates his presentation by introducing the “law of diffusion of innovation.” Instead of getting technical, he refers back to his flip chart to ensure the audience grasps the concept, illustrating his points without losing them.

He further breathes life into his message by referencing Martin Luther King, reinforcing the importance of leadership.

After 18 minutes of captivating content, he delivers the closing statement:

“There are leaders and there are those who lead. Leaders hold a position of power or authority, but those who lead inspire us. We follow leaders not because we have to, but because we want to. We follow those who lead not for them but for ourselves, and it’s those who start with WHY who inspire others.”

The essence of Simon’s presentation encourages leaders to start with their “WHY” instead of their “WHAT.” He effectively emphasizes this critical point throughout his talk, all without a single PowerPoint slide.

If you choose to use PowerPoint for your next presentation, remember to check out the “21 Powerful PowerPoint Tips You Really Need to Know.”

As you reflect on this, consider how you would feel as an audience member if you were a leader.

While this article discusses presenting without PowerPoint, a skilled public speaking coach can help you present confidently and impactfully, regardless of whether you decide to use slides.

Enjoy the video!

If you need help with your presentations:

– 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