How to co-present

The skill of how to co-present is one we see in daily news programmes.

And often I find myself getting very irritated by the dual presentation.

One newsreader earnestly tells us the most significant things that have happened in the past few hours.

While the other sits silently and nods, smiles, winces and occasionally raises an eyebrow.

I find the silent one annoying and distracting.

Our rule on that at Pink Elephant Communications is simple.

If something underlines a presentation, keep it in.

If it undermines it, take it out.

Read on.

How to co-present

I managed to avoid dual presentation in my more than two decades on the telly.

Largely because it was some time ago.

But I found myself dual presenting with my wife twice this week: once on camera and then on stage.

Yes – I found myself on camera nodding, smiling, wincing and even raising an eyebrow in silence.

Because to sit there looking blank would only have undermined what Caroline had to say.

But mainly, I looked at her as she spoke and she looked at me as I spoke.

That, I believe, is a better way of telling the audience that I was paying attention to what she was saying.

Then came speaking on stage at the MGM Las Vegas to 12,000 leaders in our network marketing business.

We had to consider how to play the dual presentation for our 15-minute slot.

It was tempting to look at the massive audience while Caroline was speaking to see how they were reacting.

But I looked mainly at her.

It’s based on very simple presentation skills.

The result of effective co-presenting

The feedback was unexpected.

As we inched our way to dinner, being swept away by the sea of attendees leaving the conference, four people made the same remark to me.

“You just looked at Caroline so lovingly up on stage!”

Here’s the thing.

A large part of that is because of being married for 33 years.

I just love seeing her shine in the spotlight having, at one time, been terrified of public speaking.

The other part is a presentation technique.

Whether on stage, in a meeting, or out for dinner with friends.

Simply look at whoever is talking while listening to what they say.

It shows you’re paying attention.

It shows you’re interested.

While colleagues may be uncomfortable with you looking at them lovingly, they will enjoy you looking at them with interest and respect.

And that will underline their message rather than undermine it.

If you’re looking to improve your own presenting, check out our e-learning courses on the Pink Elephant Academy.

Bill McFarlan is Executive Chairman of Pink Elephant Communications in Glasgow.

You can view his full profile here.

Photos in How to co-present by Pink Elephant Communications and RODNAE Productions from Pexels.
How to co-present blog edited by Colin Stone.