The art of connection, contribution, & change

Presenting naked is about expressing a naturalness in delivery that brings more of your own unique personality to your presentations in a way that amplifies your message. There are many components to an effective, naked presentation, but one simple way to think about it is in terms of what I call The Three Cs : Connection, Contribution, and Change.

• Connection. To make an impact and to make a difference, we have to make a solid connection with others in the room. Where there is no connection, there can be no contribution. If we can make a solid and lasting connection with others, then we create the space for our contribution to be heard and take root. Connection amplifies the experience for both the audience and the speaker. Instead of 1+1=2 with a one-way didactic approach, it's now 1+1=137 (or a million, etc.).

• Contribution. Some people think that a presentation or an invitation to speak is a burden, or at best and obligation that can’t be avoided. This is the wrong attitude. Instead, think of presentation as a welcomed opportunity to make a difference. Every presentation or speech is a chance to make a contribution. We all live for the opportunity to contribute, it’s what makes us human. A contribution is never about us—it’s always about them. We show respect for them by being well prepared. We show we care by sharing a bit of ourselves and a small part of our own humanity. Do not allow yourself to get bogged down in a haze of self-doubt and worry about whether or not you are good enough. To win or to lose is not the point. Boston Philharmonic Orchestra conductor and presenter extraordinaire Benjamin Zander says something similar while encouraging one of his talented students: "We are about contribution. That’s what our job is. It’s not about impressing people. It’s not about getting the next job. It’s about contributing something.” We can apply this spirit to the art of presentation as well.

• Change. Through contribution we make a difference—we make a difference because we change things. Sometimes the change is big, and sometimes the change is virtually imperceptible, but it’s real. As a result of our contribution the audience may have gained new knowledge or a skill, or a fresh perspective—or they were inspired to learn more. Because of our talk, presentation, or lesson, there was a change. This positive change resulted from an honest, transparent contribution in the moment. These tiny contributions in the aggregate are what keeps humanity moving forward.

Create art and make change
I've always said that presentation is more art than science. So what is art? In a recent interview with David Siteman Garland, Seth Godin said this about art in the context of work. "Art," says Seth Godin, "is a generous action—it's when a human connects to another human and makes a change." The work that we do could be art, but if we are just following the rules, playing it safe, and sort of working-by-the-numbers (as in paint-by-the-numbers) then the work lacks connection and difference, and therefore lacks art. The best presentations are art in a sense because the best presenters necessarily connect in the spirit of contribution and generosity and help people make a change. The worst presentations or speeches are the usual ones, the ones that are perfunctory, routine, safe, and utterly forgettable. No one ever got fired for doing the expected and the safe, at least they did not in the old world. But it's a new world now. And the professionals who are remarkable and who want to make a difference — teachers, doctors, engineers, aid workers, and business people of all types — are the ones who create art. Today, more than ever, there are opportunities to speak in front of others to make a connection and contribute to lasting change—that is, to create art.

Connections make all the difference
Everyone can make a difference and make art, no matter the profession. Teachers obviously, but it applies to the waitress at your favorite local diner as well, the waitress who remembers your name and makes you feel better about your day every time you go there.

   
These slides feature the same Seth Godin quote that I have used in presentations recently. The text stays the same as different professions come in one after another to make the point that it does not matter what job you have, the little human-to-human connections are what can make all the difference in the world. 

Comments

[Marco Salomão]

The three Cs are really nice to perform a great presentation. I am learning a lot with this blog. Here in Brazil people are used to create boring presentations with no images and lots of text and bullets.
I am trying to spread some of your ideas in my company. It is really great.

[Murali]

You bring in fresh perspectives. I am slowly becoming a very big fan of yours. Thanks for the insightful article

[Twiliew]

I like doing presentation.. often spend lots of time in it. Now, with this, I have very good reason to put more time and energy on it!! Thanks.. ;-)

[Michael Pierce]

Through this article (presentation), you made a contribution and triggered a change. :) The notion of thinking of a presentation as an opportunity to contribute resonated with me. It is something that I will carry forward into my next opportunity to present. I'm convinced that it will change my entire approach.

[jodi]

I love your work and put it into use every time I do a workshop or video. Thanks for talking about connections. :)

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[John Spence]

Stunning Garr -- extremely well played, your three C's are sublime. This is some of the best advice anyone could give to a presenter to help them be more authentic, real… to present naked. I will be sure to pass this along to everyone in my network – it is wonderful, wonderful advice. Thank you so much Garr – John

[Turil]

Yes, I've come to the conclusion that art is sharing an emotional experience. Science is the intellectual communication that offers the details and the plans and the practical stuff on how to go somewhere new, while art offers the reason, the motivation, and the passion for going somewhere new.

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The three Cs that you have talked about indeed enables us to make our presentations more interesting. More often than not we concentrate so much on the facts or concepts that we intend to convey that we forget that we should first connect to our audience.

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I totally agree that where there is no connection, there can be no contribution.

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I love your 3 C's and I think we should all realize that they can be applied to a vast area of topics!
thanks,
ryan

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Garr - Glad you enjoyed my interview with Seth Godin. Thanks so much for the shout out.

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[elizabeth ferris]

I agree completely with your emphasis on contribution.No matter what field a person is in, successful professionals understand that establishing trust is the foundation for building a business of giving a great speech. The number one way to build trust is to spend time making a contribution to your community and showing an interest in others.

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give"
-Sir Winston Churchill

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It is something that I will carry forward into my next opportunity to present.I'm convinced that it will change my entire approach.