What is the riskiest time when presenting with a colleague?
The Handover.
You have probably seen many awful handovers.
(You might even have done an awful one – I have!)
Here is how to make it safer.
A typical handover goes like this…
“That’s all from me, now over to the next speaker.”
Silence…for a few moments.
“Erm…thanks…err….right…good morning everyone.”
What is wrong with this?
- The first speaker just did a hard stop
- The first speaker gave no hint of what the second speaker was going to say or create any kind of link
- The second speaker was not 100% ready
- This led to an awkward silence and a standing start
Let’s use the analogy of the relay races in athletics.
In the relay race, the teams rehearse the handovers again and again to make them seamless.
The athlete handing over slows down marginally to make it easier and has a focus on their teammate.
The athlete taking the baton is ready and starts to run before they get the baton – it is never a standing start.
When they get it perfect, they can beat potentially faster teams.
When they get it wrong, they get disqualified!
How can we apply this process to a presentation with a colleague?
Rehearse the handovers – make sure they are seamless.
If you are handing over, know how your colleague is going to start.
Mention them by name shortly before the end (this gives them a clear prompt) and then say something that creates a link between the two presentations.
If you are the next speaker, know exactly how your colleague is going to finish, so you are ready.
And hit the ground running!
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