What does the musical Wicked have to do with you as a presenter?
Look at all those actors on stage and that magical set. Now, imagine if you went to see Wicked, and the curtains rose to reveal the same scene, but with no lighting. Or picture the actors just standing there, aimlessly, with no clear direction. You'd be confused, right? You wouldn't know where to look or which actor to focus on. If someone started singing, you'd have to scramble to find them, making it hard to connect with the story.
So, what's this got to do with you, a presenter in a technical field?
When you're up there presenting complex data or architecture, you're like the director of your own show. But too often, you're not giving your audience any cues. You're not lighting the way or guiding us through your "stage." This makes it tough for us to follow along and understand what you're trying to say.
Here's the kicker: You don't need Broadway-level production to make your presentations engaging. Simple things like highlighting key points on your slides, using a laser pointer (as long as it isn't used as an aimless cat toy), or even just pausing to let a concept sink in can make a world of difference. Think of these as your "lighting cues" and "stage directions" for your audience. They help us know where to look and what to focus on, so we can fully engage with your presentation.
So the next time you're prepping for a big presentation, channel a little bit of that Wicked magic. Your audience will thank you for it. ✨