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5 Tips For Presenting Your Vision |
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Written by Paul Fleming
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- Tip #2 - Think Gradually
Gradually release your vision to select viewers. Find 3-5 of your closest friends or mentors and ask them to preview your ideas. Give them permission to give you constructive criticism. They may identify some areas that need more (or less) information. Their input will be invaluable to you. Sometimes visionaries 'release' their vision prematurely, which can often be detrimental to the vision in the long run. Be patient, and wait for some quality feedback from your closest advisors - they'll be far more forgiving than others!
- Tip #3 - Think Concisely
A vision is like an iceberg...there is much more to it than what is seen on the surface. You've got to discipline yourself to share just enough - and yet not too much! Show your audience the 'tip' of the iceberg- and when they are ready, they'll begin asking you about all the details! Just when you think it is short enough - look at it again and see if you can shave it down some more. If you've really thought through it - you'll be able to communicate it in a concise way.
Remember - you might be the only person excited about your vision at this point. It's hard to believe, but it is true. As you communicate your vision, focus on those points which are the MOST exciting to you and leave the rest out...for now! People generally have to 'warm up' to a vision, which takes time. Be careful not to bore viewers with the details.
- Tip #4 - Think Relationally
Stories are powerful. Every communicator knows it. Every audience knows it when they hear it. Vision is often abstract; stories make it concrete. Think of real people who will really be effected by your idea, product or organization. Research stories, listen to the needs surfaced, then convey that to your audience.
People will respond to your vision if they feel like you understand them. Stories help you draw out the relational elements of your vision.
- Tip #5 - Think Creatively
Vision that is conveyed with creativity is always inspiring. People respond to innovation, so employ it in your presentation. A vision is something you see in your mind's eye - it's something you 'see' which doesn't yet exist. The paradox of this is that when you communicate a vision, others aren't looking through the same lenses you are. You MUST visually present your vision to others to be most effective. You must transfer thoughts from your mind's eye to pictures in your listener's eyes.
As you build your presentation, spend time looking for images that really depict what you are trying to say. They'll be worth a thousand words! When you make your presentation, package it in unusual ways: odd shapes, odd media, odd location, etc. Don't skip this step. Invest energy in it. Surround yourself with creative people. Brainstorm new ways to visualize your ideas.
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