Feb 5
Using PowerPoint as a crutch is like a driver staring at their
GPS navigation screen instead of the road. Transitioning away
from the "PowerPoint crutch" is critical to executive
presence, as reliance on slides fundamentally shifts a
leader's role from a commander of attention to a mere
reader of ...Read more
Using PowerPoint as a crutch is like a driver staring at their
GPS navigation screen instead of the road. Transitioning away
from the "PowerPoint crutch" is critical to executive
presence, as reliance on slides fundamentally shifts a
leader's role from a commander of attention to a mere
reader of information. The "PowerPoint crutch" is
identified as the "single most important habit that should
be broken" for executives because it encourages leaders to
turn their backs on the audience and read bullet points as if
the screen were the "world's largest
teleprompter". To establish authority, you must prioritize
disciplined preparation over slide generation for several key
reasons: 1. Eliminating the "Illusion of Control"
Over-reliance on PowerPoint can create a dangerous
"illusion of understanding" and an "illusion of
control" without providing actual command of the situation.
In high-stakes environments, such as military operations,
commanders have noted that PowerPoint stifles "discussion,
critical thinking and thoughtful decision-making". General
James Mattis famously stated that "PowerPoint makes us
stupid," while General H.R. McMaster banned its use to
ensure leaders were engaging with the complexity of problems
rather than reducing them to "bullet-izable" lists.
True authority is demonstrated when a leader can argue, discuss,
or lobby for their key points without needing a slide to
validate them. 2. Ensuring Connection, Especially Online. The
"crutch" becomes even more detrimental in virtual
settings. When presenters allow graphics to consume "95% of
the screen," the audience loses visual contact with the
leader. This creates a "gap" between intent and
perception, where "confidence feels flat" and
"trust fades for reasons no one can name" because the
human signal is misaligned or hidden behind data. If your
leadership team is struggling to connect with remote employees,
"the solution isn’t more slides—it’s better delivery".
3. Correcting the Workflow of Preparation The "crutch"
often stems from a flawed preparation process where the
PowerPoint application is used as a "word processor"
to draft the speech. Disciplined preparation reverses this
workflow to ensure the message drives the medium: Outline First:
Develop an outline focused on three key points and a closing
"call to action". Script and Timing: Write or dictate
the script, and time it aloud before opening PowerPoint. This
ensures the narrative flows logically and fits the allotted
time. Graphics Last: Only turn the finished script over for
graphic creation after the narrative is set. Separating
Functions: Executives often confuse presentation slides with
"leave-behind" documents. A graphic intended for the
audience cannot effectively support a speaker; support graphics
should ideally have no words, similar to a Steve Jobs product
introduction. 4. Validating Expertise Leaders are "content
experts," but they lose the opportunity to engage their
expertise when they focus on reading slides. Historical
examples, such as Abraham Lincoln, demonstrate that the most
effective public speaking comes from deep preparation—knowing
"what you’re going to say and... why you’re saying
it"—rather than speaking off the cuff or reading text.
Analogy: Using PowerPoint as a crutch is like a driver staring
at their GPS navigation screen instead of the road. While the
data may be accurate, the driver loses situational awareness,
misses critical hazards, and fails to safely lead passengers to
their destination. Disciplined preparation ensures you have
internalized the map, allowing you to keep your eyes on the road
and your passengers. Presenting skills training is the
cornerstone of #PresentationCoachRay Franklin's coaching.
Improve all elements of your live or online presentations with
your first meeting with Ray Franklin.
https://calendly.com/presentationcoachray/30-minute-meeting-with-presentationcoachray-clone
#PowerPoint #Keynote #Graphics #PresentationCoachRay
