Ever play the "one superpower" game?

If you could only have one, what would it be? Flying? Strength? Something else? For leaders, it's an interesting question. And it makes all the difference when presenting as well.

Define reality

In his seminal book on leadership, Leadership is an Art, Max De Pree says the first thing a leader must do is "define reality." Sounds like a superpower to me. But I also love the simplicity of that image. A leader must clearly lay out what she believes is the way things should be. Only when people can see that reality do they feel comfortable walking into it. A leader defines reality, and then people follow.

It's the same with presenting

You need the same skill to be a great presenter. It's not a super power, but it makes all the difference for your success. Any time you step in front of people to speak, you walk onto a blank canvas of time. Anything is possible! In a sense, your audience is in suspended animation, outside of their normal, everyday world. They're open to new thoughts, new ideas. They are dependent upon you to create reality for the time of your presentation.

What an opportunity: A roomful of people, all open to your reality! As a leader, you can't ask for more than that, can you?

So how do you take advantage of that? How do you define a successful reality for your presentation? Here are three observations, based on my 30 years of working with presenters who do it well.

1. Forge your goal

"Why are you here, Presenter?" Every single person in the room wants to know. Such a simple question, and yet so few people can answer it. Decide, right away, why you are doing this presentation. What is the single thing you want to accomplish? Write it down. Say it out loud. Keep saying it until you believe it. That's the reality you're responsible to create.

Well, it's half of the reality. Read on.

2. Read your audience's minds

It's easier than you think. I guarantee every person in your audence is thinking one thing, "What do I get?" You better know. The correct answer is the other half of the reality you're creating. Those people in front of you must get something of value. Write it down. Say it out loud.

Now, build your presentation around those two answers. This is the reality you need to define.

(Here's a secret: If your focus is defining reality for your audience, you simply do not have time to be self-conscious. Great news for the stage fright we all get at times.)

3. Renew your strength

No wise leader walks into a situation unprepared if they can help it. Do you know how to hold an audience's attention? If not, get some help. You'll need to if you hope to define reality for them. You've got a tremendous amount of power in your own hands, eyes, voice--even the way you walk. Tap into it! Invest in yourself. Get a coach or take a course (like ours) that can equip you.

Defining reality for your audience. It's your job as a leader on stage. And it's one superpower you can actually acquire.

Mike Vayda has been helping introverted leaders become great presenters for over 30 years. Learn more at PresentableU.com.

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