Dr. Mark’s Rules: How to Make Presentations Sticky

“Speech is power; Speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

There has been a lot of dialogue and ideas lately on how to make ideas sticky. This all started with Malcolm Gladwell, in his hot book, Tipping Point. Recently, the Heath brother’s book Made to Stick came on the scene. They used a clever memory jogger called SUCCESs which laid out the elements of a stcky message. I recommend you read both books they provide good insight in how to make your messages more insightful.

Warning for President Obama: Watch The Downside of Consensus

“When you win, nothing hurts.” Joe Nameth, Hall of Fame Quarterback for New York Jets

Mr. President–What is your priority —consensus/bipartisanship or achieveing the best Health Care Plan for America’s future ? And when the two are in conflict, which are you going to choose?  I would like to dig a little deeper on the obsessive need for consensus or bipartisan approach of the Obama team. First of all, the administration needs to assess if the group you are negotiating with wants to play fairly in looking for a solution or they just want ot play win-lose politics. Then you need to assess the nature of the problem in relationship to people’s needs and the time to implement changes. Do we need to act immediately or do we have time to build relationships and try to change the minds of our adversaries by presenting evidence-based arguments or creative common sense solutions. Then you try to determine the openness to new approaches, sincerity, needs and goals of the other party.

How to make your ideas Stick? Overhaul the Lecture Method

“If I always do what I’ve always done, I’ll always get what I’ve always gotten.” John Dewey, Educational Reformer  

I am on a mission to change how educators transmit information so people can learn and use information provided.  Teachers and presenters must start seeing and believing that they are performance artists. They must be authentic, natural and inspiring all skills that can be learned.

Yet, lecturing remains one of the more popular methods to transmit information and ideas by teachers, trainers and speakers.  As students and audience participants we are quite familiar with the approach.  Lectures can be informative, boring or overwhelming depending on the compelling nature of the message and the presenter’s style and clarity of message.  The lecture method usually is one-way communication and allows for little if any audience participation. The result is audience misunderstanding, loss of information and poor retention and learning.

Obama’s Achilles Heel

Confidence–thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance. Without them it cannot live.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Of course, it is great to seek consensus and win-win decisions when you have parties in a negotiation that have common interests, respect, and a sense of fair play. It is a truism that a leader needs to be aware of and play to their strengths. President Obama has  many strengths–emotional intelligence, executive presence, inspiring viewpoints, calmness, consensus building, and the ability to organize and motivate others to action.