Whenever I get asked to do a presentation, I always have mixed thoughts. I’m grateful that someone values my perspective enough to invite me to share it, but I’m also concerned that people will expect me to do all the talking. Most people who know me well will tell you that I consider myself to be less of a public speaker and more of a conversation-starter. I enjoy presentations if they catalyze meaningful conversation and action, but I prefer more participant-centered events.
If you look up monologue in the dictionary, you will find the following definition: a long speech monopolizing conversation. Dialogue, on the other hand refers to a conversation between two or more persons; an exchange of ideas and opinions. There’s no denying that monological presentations can be useful for setting contexts, delivering content, and providing passive entertainment (assuming the speaker is entertaining), but they can also suck the life out of a group of otherwise engaging people more quickly than a leech at a blood-letting.
Most of us have had the unfortunate experience of sitting through a well-intended, but counting-the-seconds-until-it’s-over, mind-numbing presentation—and when the folks attending to the “butts-in-seats,” haven’t been as attentive to the comfort of the butts-in-seats—even butt-numbing presentation. Some of us have even had the unfortunate experience of delivering the well-intended, mind-numbing, butt-numbing presentation (so, so sorry).
As one such person, I've learned a lot over the years (as I continue to learn) about how to design and facilitate interesting, engaging participant experiences. I imagine much of what I have to say on the subject is nothing new. However, I am still amazed at the number of well-intended, well-attended events that deliver a less-than-optimal participant experience than was possible with a little more skillful design and facilitation, so I offer what follows as a conversation-starter for anyone involved in designing and/or facilitating events large or small with full appreciation for just how challenging it can be to create an event that not only fulfills its purpose, but actually inspires, the majority of participants.
Obviously, there are numerous aspects involved in producing a great event, and numerous kinds of events from social gatherings to fundraisers to workshops and conferences. What most interests me for the purpose of this exploration is attempting to articulate practical, guiding principles that increase the probability that participants will have a great experience at any organized event, although my examples usually assume larger events. When I speak of “participants,” I am most often referring to those whose primary role is to attend and participate in the event, although in the broadest sense, all who participate in an event as sponsors, speakers, facilitators, volunteers, etc. are also participants.
The number of “butts-in-seats,” though an important, if somewhat crudely stated, success measure, matters less to me than the quality of the participants’ experience. In fact, I suspect that the more we attend to the participant experience as the most essential part of our design and facilitation, the more likely it is that they will attend our events.
And so, without further ado, I invite you to pause and ponder…to enquire and share… And of course, do make yourself comfortable... Here are a few thoughts about how to increase the likelihood that participants will have a great experience.
