Presentation Skills/Common Presentation Mistakes

Common Mistakes

Below are some common mistakes a lot of people make during a presentation. Can you identify one that you do often?

The goal is not to make you self-conscious but to become aware of your own habits that maybe detracting from your presentations.

Arms/Hands	Moving too wildly (flailing) Fidgeting with objects (e.g. pens, keys)
Voice	Speaking too softly Speaking too fast Shouting
Positioning	Walking back and forth across the room/stage Hiding behind a podium/computer/paper Talking to the board
Body	Forgetting to breathe Closed body signals (e.g. crossed arms, slouching shoulders) No eye contact with the audience

Are there others you know? They could be something that you do or something that you've observed from other presenters.

Strategies for Change

General strategies to change your habits:

• Identify one habit at a time
• Practice in front of a mirror
• Practice with a colleague
• Watch a video recording of yourself presenting