“How much is too much?”

This question came up during a presentation coaching session this week. Now, it could be considered a read-the-room type scenario.

But I think it’s more.

She was referencing body language, gestures, changing up your voice, bringing a little personality into the presentation.

The vibe was: it’s probably best to tone it down instead of ramping it up.

NO MA’AM!!! NO SIR!!!!

When in doubt, let’s get it out!

Unless you’re Tony Robbins who starts his programs blasting music at decibel deaf-in-two-years-level with scantily clad women jumping up and down as a massive hype squad while the audience pumps their fists and chants and yells and gets ready to UNLEASH THEIR POWER or whatever he does. Now IMO, that might need a tone down…but in reality, he HAS read the room. He knows those people are hoping (and paying a pretty penny for) big change. He knows the science behind priming the audience for what’s to come: changing their state. Changing their energy. Getting them ready to walk on fire. It’s all strategic.
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And I’ll be damned if he doesn’t get people walking on fire.

In this case, the coachees weren’t trying to get people to unleash anything persay…they were presenting a SWOT analysis. Like a Tony Robbins rally…but different. 🤓

The thing is, those that go to a TR event know (in theory) what they’re in for.

I’d argue the judges, in this case, knew what they were in for, too.

Reading of slides.
Showing of data.
Bullet points of blah blah blah.

That initial question wasn’t so much “How much is too much?” but rather a statement of: I know these people. I’ve been in these rooms. The presentations are the same. The energy is the same. They want facts. They want numbers. They want data.

The read of that room: they want no spice.

But what if it’s not that they don’t want it…

But what if they haven’t experienced it?

What if we haven’t given them what they didn’t realize they wanted…daresay needed?

What if the judges were primed for their version of a Tony Robbins rally, SWOT-style?
Like those Unleashers expect blasting music, boobs, and firewalks…
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What if the judges expect data, decks, and discussion…

But what they really NEED is some storytelling?
Some body language?
Some personality?
Some humor?
Some…SPICE.

I’m pretty sure no one has ever said in the history of time, “I wish there were more slides.”
I wish there were more bullet points.
I wish there was more data.

Hey, listen, I hear ya–if you’re presenting a SWOT analysis, data is necessary. In LOTS of scenarios, data is necessary.

To mix metaphors and memes, your data could have been an email.

Meaning, one can read data. One can see data. Data is…data.

What one needs is that data brought to life.
That data to strike a nerve.
That data to make me feel something so I want to do something! Walk on fire! Say yes to the SWOT!
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Now someone standing there with a mic in hand, reading from the slide, monotone and no movement…explaining bar graphs…well monks would probably be better suited for their hype squad.
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Now someone moving with purpose, pausing to land a point, bringing some lowkey sense of humor (if that’s your thing) into the conversation, getting loud/getting quiet/switching it up so I can tell you feel something about what you’re saying…Bringing energy! Bringing life! Bringing personality! Caring!

Changing their state. Changing their energy. Getting them ready to walk on fire…er agree to your SWOT analysis! That is all strategic. ​
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Now that’s going to get them saying:

I DIDN’T KNOW IT,
BUT THAT’S JUST WHAT I NEEDED!

When you see that energy, you feel it.
You feel someone come to life.
You sense someone bringing themselves and bringing some human to the data.
You connect to the story they told, the emotions they whipped up inside, and to who they are and what they care about.
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IT’S NOT TOO MUCH,
IT’S EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED

For those people who say you showing up full-on, as you, with not just salt in pepper spice, but some paprika sprinkled on there is too much? Well…
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Hand them a Tony Robbins brochure and tell them to go unleash their boring basic BS…

Because we need your spice!