Overcoming awkward moments
Featured in the Advanced Presentation Techniques training manual
By Clare Forrest & Margaret Zuppinger
Category: Meetings and Presentations
Credit price: 3 download credits (Single user)
Anyone who presents to an audience will have their fair share of awkward moments to deal with. They will occur, are often nothing to do with our presentation and, therefore, beyond our control. However, whilst we may not be able to prevent them happening, we will be judges by the rest of the audience by the way we handle them.
You start this training activity by assuring the participants that most awkward moments, an inevitable part of presenting, can be either prevented or overcome. You give examples of ‘awkward moments’ that are beyond the presenter’s control and those that can be prevented by proper presentation. The participants then deliver their prepared presentations on ‘Awkward moments and how to overcome them’. This opens up a discussion about handling such awkward moments. Whilst the participants are delivering their second prepared presentation, they have to handle ‘awkward moments’ that the other participants have been primed to challenge them with. They then review how they felt when confronted with their awkward moments and how they dealt with them. You close this training activity with an appreciation of the participants’ management of some difficult predicaments. You assure them that their confidence in coping with awkward moments will grow as they gain experience as presenters.
Who is it for: This training resource is intended for use by trainers to show participants how to overcome awkward moments with a deft touch that will leave their audiences admiring and inspired.
| Resource Type: | Activity |
| Min Group Size: | 2 |
| Max Group Size: | 6 |
| Typical Duration: | 01:55:00 |
| No of Pages: | 13 |
Resources: View standard resources for Fenman training activities
Additional resources: Video camera, tripod, player & TV monitor, Blank video cassettes and labels, Camera operator (optional).
Purpose: This training resource is intended for use by trainers for feedback, leadership, managing challenging situations, planning and research, presentation skills, and stress management programmes. It can also be adapted for one-to-one coaching.
Download the training activity, Overcoming awkward moments as featured in the Fenman training manual; Advanced Presentation Techniques