After a presentation, I receive great reviews and often really nice compliments about my presentation, slide design, style, etc.
But…
What does someone who doesn’t receive these sorts of reviews look like? I once watched a struggling presenter give a presentation about “something scientific,” per his teacher. He decided to read a book and give a book report. As he timidly crawled to the stage, I knew this was probably not going to go well. I wasn’t worried. The presentation was 5 minutes. How bad could it be?
Oh, my.
Before he opened his mouth I could see the stains of perspiration leaking through his shirt, his brow and face covered with beads that made him appear as though he’d just finished a shower. How bad could it be?
He opened his mouth and began, only to be called down by an audience member with “speak up.”
Oh, my.
“Psycho…” he began, his voice quivering as the words fought their way through the piles of cotton filling his throat and mouth. “Psycho-cybernetics,” a reference to the book he had “read,” “is about visualization.”
I want to take a long, dramatic, perhaps visualization, pause here, before telling you what happened next. So, if you’re a fast reader, simply pause for a couple of seconds before continuing.
Fractions of seconds later: That was it. That was his 5-minute speech. Done. Finished. Through.
Or, perhaps, “mercifully” he was done. Finished. Through.
To date, this was the worst presentation, albeit also the shortest, I have ever witnessed.
It still has my gold medal for the worst presentation ever by anyone, anywhere, in the history of the world.
The rest of the story
I own this horrid experience, the world’s worst. It was … mine.
I’ve learned a whole lot over the years. Some of this is through the school of excruciatingly hard knocks. Other knowledge I’ve gleaned through the expertise and experience of others. Rather than giving presentations that are just horrible, I’m asked for repeat performances. I like being where I am. Still, I know I can, and will, do better.
REX CASTLE is a co-founder at friendsTED. He has over 3 decades of human resources, training, public speaking and slide design experience. He also has published 3 books:
- Selecting the Brass Ring: How to hire really happy, really smart people (and pay them really well)(the complete work),
- Why not WOW? Reaching for the spectacular presentation, and a parable of his complete work,
- The Brass Ring: How to hire really happy really smart people (and pay them really well).
His passion is working with organizations to increase ROI through creative and replicable models for everything from hiring to leadership to presentation. He is a strategic thinker, thought provoking facilitator and exceptional business partner.
Rex is employed in the technology industry where he is responsible for social media, online help systems, online training systems and assisting the sales professionals in their presentations and slide design. He also has years and years of experience in the manufacturing and finance industries. He is well-traveled and has lived in numerous areas across the United States, but calls Lubbock home and spends most of his spare time with his first grandchild, reading, and enjoys woodworking.
Souce: http://www.friendsted.com/blog/friendsted-blog/the-worst-presentation-ever/