Lessons Learned: The Importance of Professionalism in Class Presentations

As Executives, giving a presentation can be a daunting task. This morning I had the opportunity during Management Communication class to give a presentation addressing a group of potential investors inviting them to invest in my business. I had worked hard on my presentation, but I was incredibly nervous. I could feel my hands shaking as I stood up and ready to start.

To help calm my nerves, I decided to incorporate some movement into my presentation. I thought that it would help me to loosen up and feel more comfortable. I started to move a little bit as I spoke, moving my hands and my legs.

After my presentation, my Instructor gave me feedback, saying that my presentation was good, but I should stop dancing during my presentations as it was not a good way to address a group of potential investors.

At first, I was taken aback. I had thought that the movement would help me to feel more relaxed, but I realized that it might have come off as unprofessional. I was grateful for the feedback. Looking back on the experience, I realize that my instructor was trying to help me. He wanted me to be successful in my future presentations, and his feedback was meant to guide me towards a more professional presentation style.

Since then, I have practiced using hand gestures and maintaining eye contact with my audience. These small changes would help me to feel more confident and professional when giving presentations.

In conclusion, receiving feedback on our presentations can be tough, but it is essential to help us improve. As executives, we should take feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow. And while incorporating movement into our presentations can be helpful, we should remember to keep it professional and appropriate for the audience we are addressing.

Thank you