How to inspire a layman public as a specialist/scientist?
A jaw dropping example!

Once in a while it happens that my jaw literally drops, because I am so incredible amazed by a presentation. This happened to me lately with the Brené Brown talk for TEDcom.

Some may say it is easy for this social scientist, since she has such an incredible interesting topic to speak about, namely "The power of vulnerability" and connected with that "Connection". But, I always argue that it is mostly about the How and not only about the What that makes a presentation truly excellent.

Therefore I decided to study Brené’s talk. Thereby, attempting to unravel a few of the "secrets" that Brené applies in making her presentation such a marvel.

Read down below what I learned by studying Brené. So that next time you’ll present, being a scientist or specialist, you can use the tips and techniques to your advantage and add some jaw dropping stuff ;-).

I could also highly recommend watching Brené’s talk, besides reading my newsletter, by clicking on the following link. Take a nice cup of tea and sit and listen for 15 minutes.

http://www.ted.com/talks/Brené_brown_on_vulnerability.html#.TxSQ11FrZQo.mailto

How to inspire a layman public as a specialist/ scientist?
9 tips that form a jaw dropping example!

1)   Brené uses very concrete, tangible language:
This is very powerful. Instead of explaining her research in a very abstract manner she simply refers to her research as: "I want to make messy subjects, less messy." Or she calls the stories she collects for her research: "data with a soul". Everybody can relate to that.

2)   She starts her presentation with an anecdote.
Starting a presentation with an anecdote is a great way to become memorable. Stories stick to the mind ; we as humans are wired to remember them. Therefore, starting off your presentation with a anecdote is a smart way to start. Besides this people often start identifying with you, cause this is what stories do. People can't help but think of like examples.

3)   Brené uses plenty of examples, we all can relate to.
For presentation it is really important to become concrete, as said before. For example not only saying it is important to have courage, but also mentioning examples of courage. And on top of that examples that we all can relate to. Examples of courage that Brené mentions:

"The willingness to say, I love you first."
"The willingness to do something, although there are no guarantees."
"The willingness to breathe through, waiting for the doctor to call for you after a mammogram."

4)   Brené makes her research important!
This is an advice I often give to scientists. Scientists have fascinating and important stories to tell, but do not always seem to realize that. It is the job of the scientist him/herself to make their research important! What I mean with this, is to literally mention in your presentation why you are spending years and hundreds of hours on the subject. The audience needs to be told to feel involved. Brené does it very clearly, she mentions it in three short consecutive sentences.

"Connection is why we are here."
" This is what it is all about."
" It is why we are here".

5)   Brené is not afraid to show her vulnerable side as a scientist.
Brené cleary mentions that she published a book, came up with a theory, but something was still not OK. You really need some nerve to tell this in front of an audience as a self respecting scientist ;-). Spending years of work, and there is still something not ok? Putting your previous work in the dustbin? A minute later she even admits having a breakdown. However, showing her vulnerability, makes Brené truly inspirational. It does not degrade her as a scientist. It only sends the message that she really takes her work seriously and her life is interweaved with her work.

6)   Brené uses clear metaphors.
"You know that situation when you get an evaluation from your boss and there are 29 things that are brilliant and there is one opportunity for growth and how you obsess over this one point, this is the way my work went."

Everybody can relate to that and can probably feel how that must have been like. By using metaphors Brené tunes into a deeper layer. Adding feeling, images and connection by using a metaphor.

7) Brené uses a lot of humor and is not afraid to mock herself.
This makes her serious subject, lighter and thereby more accessible. It could tend to become very serious and heavy psychological talk. But, by using humor her message is really easy to take in for the audience. For instance mocking her own obsessed behavior of wanting to measure everything.

8) Brené involves the public.
She not only does that by using concrete language, using examples we can all relate to, using metaphors and anecdotes. She also does it by directly addressing the audience by saying: "One of the things I think WE have to think about. By saying WE, she directly triggers the public to think about what she has to say.

9) Brené slowly moves from microlevel to macrolevel in her presentation.
She starts with her own personal story and journey, and then finally ends with the big problems that are facing the US today and knows to link them. She connects what is in the way of connection (shame and vulnerability and trying to numb these feelings), with the big issues in the US such as overweight, addiction, environmental problems etcetera.

What becomes cristal clear after studying Brené is that she is a true champ in connecting to her public!! This is Brené's "jaw dropping" presentation secret!! Not so strange since her whole presentation is about connecting ;-).

She does this by starting off with an anecdote, using very concrete language and examples, showing her own vulnerability, making her research important, using metaphors, using humour, addressing the public directly and linking microlevel to macrolevel. All these things have an effect of relating to the public!! Of bringing her information to the public in a very accessible manner!

So, if you truly want to connect with your public. Especially with a layman public, use the above examples and I am sure something of the "presentation jaw dropping connection" genius of Brené will rub off on you! Good luck with it and DARE!!

Good luck with it!
Mabel Frumau
www.presentingwithimpact.nl

Would you like to have me as a speaker for your event? Send an e-mail to info@presentingwithimpact.nl

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