In today’s corporate world, there’s a silent affliction hampering the potential of many executives and speakers. This ailment? I’ve coined it as the “PowerPoint Prison”.
The term doesn’t discriminate. Whether it’s Microsoft’s PowerPoint or Apple’s Keynote, the minute you engage with these tools, they impose their constraints, dictating the trajectory of your thoughts and ideas. More often than not, instead of enhancing our concepts, these platforms shackle them, diluting the impact and leading to the unfortunate incarceration in the PowerPoint prison.The result? A lackluster presentation, and a bored audience.
The Problem with Starting with Slides
As a seasoned guide to many speakers, the initial advice I dispense is unequivocal: Never start with PowerPoint. A compelling idea should always begin devoid of visuals. It might sound counterintuitive, especially in a world that increasingly thrives on imagery, but let me explain. An idea, in its infancy, should dominate without the crutch of visuals. Only when it matures, should it beckon the support of imagery, and not the other way around. Lead with your idea, and let it demand the visuals.
Imagine initiating a talk or presentation without any visuals. It pushes you to articulate vividly, compelling your audience to visualize with their imagination. When visuals are finally incorporated, their role remains to underline the main narrative, rather than overshadowing or replacing it.
Challenging the Norm
The next time you’re slated for a presentation, be it a sales pitch, a departmental update, or a keynote address, I urge you to defy convention. Start devoid of PowerPoint or Keynote. Only introduce visuals when your idea screams for them. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the impact and distinctiveness of your presentation.
Regrettably, too many have become victims to these tools’ restrictive templates. They follow the prescribed path, filling in blanks, only to be perplexed when their audience’s attention wanes or drifts off to slumber. It’s no mystery; they’ve fallen prey to the PowerPoint prison.
Remember, tools are there to aid us, not to dictate our message. Break free, and let your ideas shine through.