How to Present and Defend Your Ideas?
8 April 2013
Read by 2199 persons
Being able to offer ideas is a great advantage for your career. But you need to know how to present and defend them. Lionel Bellenger, a communications coach, explains the art of persuasion.
Is a good idea enough on its own, or is the presentation essential?
"Preparation is key to successfully presenting and defending your ideas. Improvisation is dangerous. You need to select and organize your arguments beforehand. A good argument should highlight three aspects and two advantages of the idea or solution being presented. Keep it short and simple. The best lawyers base their arguments on one strong point, one key idea. This is a good example to follow. You should also know how receptive your audience will be: will they be hostile, worried, or indifferent? The structure of your argument should take this into account.
Of course, you should consider the audience's level of knowledge to decide whether or not to simplify your language, making it accessible to everyone. Clarity, conciseness, and conviction are key to persuading your audience."
What are the secrets of good speakers?
"Despite all the new electronic communication methods, we remain in an oral culture. Speaking will always be the main way to present and defend your ideas. To convince others, you must be convinced yourself. You should bring your idea to life through your word choice, tone of voice, and body language. A good speaker is comfortable with their material and isn't afraid to show sincerity in their presentation. In short, they are genuine. Too many people still think that emotion has no place in the professional world, but that's wrong! Concentration is also important to avoid filler words, stay focused, and control your intonation and body language."
Is practicing in front of a mirror enough?
"To identify your mistakes and improve, outside feedback is very helpful. Video is an effective way to work on both form and content. If public speaking is a weakness in your career, it may be necessary to get coaching from a professional. Most executives and managers are still stuck, limited. This can be attributed to the education system, which doesn't give enough importance to oral expression. The popularity of public speaking training, media training, and the many books on oral communication show a real need to acquire this professional skill."
Nadia Graradji for France5.fr
Careerbuilder.fr
Posted April 8, 2013.
Is a good idea enough on its own, or is the presentation essential?
"Preparation is key to successfully presenting and defending your ideas. Improvisation is dangerous. You need to select and organize your arguments beforehand. A good argument should highlight three aspects and two advantages of the idea or solution being presented. Keep it short and simple. The best lawyers base their arguments on one strong point, one key idea. This is a good example to follow. You should also know how receptive your audience will be: will they be hostile, worried, or indifferent? The structure of your argument should take this into account.
Of course, you should consider the audience's level of knowledge to decide whether or not to simplify your language, making it accessible to everyone. Clarity, conciseness, and conviction are key to persuading your audience."
What are the secrets of good speakers?
"Despite all the new electronic communication methods, we remain in an oral culture. Speaking will always be the main way to present and defend your ideas. To convince others, you must be convinced yourself. You should bring your idea to life through your word choice, tone of voice, and body language. A good speaker is comfortable with their material and isn't afraid to show sincerity in their presentation. In short, they are genuine. Too many people still think that emotion has no place in the professional world, but that's wrong! Concentration is also important to avoid filler words, stay focused, and control your intonation and body language."
Is practicing in front of a mirror enough?
"To identify your mistakes and improve, outside feedback is very helpful. Video is an effective way to work on both form and content. If public speaking is a weakness in your career, it may be necessary to get coaching from a professional. Most executives and managers are still stuck, limited. This can be attributed to the education system, which doesn't give enough importance to oral expression. The popularity of public speaking training, media training, and the many books on oral communication show a real need to acquire this professional skill."
Nadia Graradji for France5.fr
Careerbuilder.fr
Posted April 8, 2013.
