On faking it

Nancy Duarte retweeted a link to an article which I think is… how should I say it… wrong? (forgive my Russian) There are some good bits there: about banishing the ideal image, about watching yourself on video, hell, most of it is good advice, but the core idea is, let’s say, deeply flawed. “Fake it?” Ok, if you want to make your presentation a struggle — yes, go ahead and fake it. However, if you want to be authentic onstage, if you want to speak from your core, if you want to be profound and powerful — well, “don’t fake it” seems like slightly more reasonable advice to me. Faking is playing, and playing immediately creates the aura of pretense. It’s ok in theater, but it’s hardly ok when you are presenting. Presentations are for real. People do want good entertainment in their presentations, but as far as I’m concerned watching people tell the truth is the single most entertaining thing I ever saw in my entire life. So don’t fake it. Be yourself.

Do tell the audience that you are nervous. It might seem like a bad idea — but only when people tell it just for the sake of telling. Ok, you’re nervous, but why does the audience need to know that? Answer this question first. If you use your nervousness as a chance to connect to your audience it becomes priceless. If you go like “I’m really afraid today… I’m afraid that I will not be able to properly explain to you how important this topic is” — this immediately grabs the audience’s attention. Over a sudden it becomes about them too. Don’t just say that you are nervous, explore it! “I’m really nervous” is a cliche, “I’m nervous because…” is not and never will be, provided that you continue with your authentic fears that have something to do with other people in the room.

If you are miserable, depressed or even scared shitless — it’s ok. Feel whatever you are feeling but please tell us why. If you started confessing, go on with it. This is one of your best chances to get laughter and applause (or even both) in the beginning of your presentation. We all become miserable sometimes, we can relate to that. And we know how to reward courage. But please talk to us, not to yourself. Explain to us why is that you feel that way and what it has to do with anything. If you don’t want to talk to us, just don’t come onstage. Please. Pretty pretty please.