After experiencing the high-performance presentation feedback protocol a few times, most groups can internalize it and can begin using it on their own. It becomes part of the culture, with the added benefit that people learn how to give and receive feedback in realms beyond just presentation skills.
As part of the protocol we also invite everyone to keep a presentation journal to help plan and evaluate presentations. If you and other members of your group keep a presentation journal, you can supercharge the feedback process. Here’s how.
Use your journal to record information about the audience, your objectives, the environment, and your content before you give your talk. After each presentation, objectively evaluate your strengths and areas for improvement, and record them.
You can use the following as a guide for building your owncomprehensive high-performance presentation journal. Reviewing your journal regularly will help you to hone your highperformance attitude and speed your progress.
Use this section for preparing for your presentation, then afterward review it and add your comments. You may include:
A Mind Map of your presentation
Key facts about the audience (number of people, expectations, gender, etc.)
Objectives for this presentation (know, feel, do)
Possible questions or objections from the audience
Starting and finishing time
Logistics for arranging the introduction
Other logistics
A complete environmental checklist, as shown on the next page
| ELEMENT | COMMENTS |
| Lighting | |
| Air quality/temperature | |
| Furniture | |
| Microphone | |
| AV equipment | |
| Music | |
| Plants | |
| Flowers | |
| Acoustics | |
| Warming up exercises (space/time arranged?) | |
| Miscellaneous |
Record your comments and, where appropriate, rate yourself in each area on a scale from 1 to 10.
| Objectives accomplished Comments: |
12345678910 |
| Use of audiovisuals Comments: |
12345678910 |
| Posture Comments: |
12345678910 |
| Gestures Comments: |
12345678910 |
| Movement Comments: |
12345678910 |
| Voice Comments: |
12345678910 |
| Overall body language Comments: |
12345678910 |
| Major areas for improvement of my presentation: | |
| Major strengths: | |
| What would I do differently next time? | |
| My own comfort and enjoyment level: | |
| General comments: | |
Keep your journal in a special file, along with your Mind Maps and any evaluation forms you receive. Even if you don’t record this information, you can still benefit by asking yourself the journal questions after each presentation. Practice, reflect, improve, enjoy, and have fun.
If you want more support, consider joining your local Toastmasters club or the National Speakers Association. And here’s one last practice that will help you master the art of public speaking: Prepare and deliver a presentation on this book, or, if that feels too daunting, begin with a talk on your favorite chapter. Start by making your own Mind Maps — you can, of course, use the maps in the book for inspiration — and then find an audience to inspire. If you’re really inspired, make a video of your talk, and post it on the link you will find at michaelgelb.com/resources. I will curate community reviews so you can get feedback.