While attending and speaking at a convention a few months ago I had some free time, so I walked around and looked in several meeting rooms to see what was going on. (Many of the doors were open or partially open.) Most of the rooms were darkened with the lights dimmed or turned off. A few had no lights at all on except the projector bulb. You couldn’t see the features on the speaker’s face but you could see the slides clearly.
This is one of the best ways to bore an audience and loose their attention.Your slides may be important to the success of a presentation; but not usually as important as you are. I keep the lights up as bright as I can during my talks and seminars. I may turn off a light or two above the screen, but only if it doesn’t take much light off of the audience and me.
When I do show a slide that I want the audience to see as brightly as possible or when I show a video clip, yes, then I turn down the lights for a bit. But as soon as I can, I turn the lights back up. A few times during my talks I’ve had someone get up and turn down the lights, thinking they were doing me a favor! I thank them and then ask for their help in putting me back in the spotlight.
So the next time you give a presentation or conduct a safety meeting remember: YOU ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR SLIDES!!
‘till next time.
Richard Hawk
