You just finished your presentation and you felt it wasn’t perfect. Someone was sitting with crossed arms, another one looked far from the happiest person on Earth. You also feel that you didn’t deliver it as well as you practiced and planned it.
Another scenario.
You feel pretty good about the presentation, but you received negative feedback. Sometimes, the feedback is even contradictory: too fast or too slow, too detailed or not deep enough, too happy or too serious.
Does everyone have to like your presentation? Should you care?
The answer is yes and no.
Why should you care?
Because feedback helps you adjust your prosody, body language, and content to meet your audience’s needs, not what you want to say. Who wouldn’t want to be admired by everyone watching your presentation, receive friendly pats on the back with “great job,” and give viral speeches? It might not be pleasant to hear that you could improve, but without feedback, you won’t grow or understand your listeners’ needs.
Why not?
NO, because you should also be selective. On stage, you have your unique style. Some people will like it, others won’t—and that’s okay. Just because some people prefer mountains over the sea doesn’t mean the sea should hide and never appear again????
During workshops, I’m often amazed when participants share their differing opinions about the same presentation.
It’s important to find a balance. On the one hand, not to lose yourself trying to fit others’ visions of who you should be, but on the other hand, critically reflect on your skills and validate your self-perception with reality.
Do you care what people think about your presentation?
