The term ‘corporate robot’ sounds a little coarse doesn’t it?
Metaphorically speaking, they do exist I’m afraid. Lawrence Bernstein presents the challenge in his Ted Talk, ‘The trick to powerful public speaking.’
At Mindful Presenter we meet at least one ‘corporate robot’ in each of our presentation training workshops.
It’s a public speaking phenomenon
You’ve probably met a ‘corporate robot’ already but if you haven’t don’t worry, it’s only a question of time.
They’re hard to distinguish until they stand to present because they look just like you and I.
If you’re still struggling with the idea, it’s that person who:
– Leaves their personality at their desk
– Speaks in a monotone voice
– Reads slides fraught with bullet points, text and data
– Leaves fellow professionals feeling bored, numb, indifferent or disinterested
– Focuses on conforming rather than connecting
– Speaks with little or no movement, energy or eye contact
It’s a phenomenon because most of these are very charismatic, interesting and personable people.
They don’t speak that way to their friends or family.
They rarely speak like that when they are speaking on a personal level or talking about something they really care about.
Many are some of the most fun and interesting people to be around. Until they stand to present
What happened?
You may sound like a ‘corporate robot’ or know someone who does ,simply because it’s the culture of the organisation; everyone presents like that.
Your personality could be suppressed due to fear or excessive nerves.
It could be a leadership issue in that no one has ever encouraged, allowed you or even shown you how to speak freely.
Perhaps, its just a lack of training or coaching and so you just don’t know how to.
Why it matters
Despite popular belief, your audience don’t want to see and hear a slick, well-polished and rehearsed speaker. They also don’t want to listen to a ‘corporate robot’.
They want to hear someone speak who:
– Knows what they are talking about
– Is real
– Cares about the topic
– Takes the time to care about how their audience feels
– Want’s to help, not impress
– Has something to say that will make their lives better, easier, happier or positively different
Mindful presenting allows us to create and deliver a powerful presentation. One which is clear, compelling and valuable.
It’s about connecting with your audience emotionally as well as intellectually.
Whatever the reason is, Mindful Presenter has the solution.
In the meantime, you may be interested in watching Lawrence Bernstein’s Ted Talk, ‘The trick to powerful public speaking’.
If you’d like help to stop presenting like a ‘corporate robot’:
– 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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