If you’ve been anywhere near a television since 2006, the name Dexter Morgan should make you shudder – with excitement for the next season! The character is a bloodstain pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department by day and a serial killer who kills serial killers by night. One of the most anti-heroic anti-heroes we can recall, Dexter captivates audiences who root for the protagonist in his struggles to live a normal life even as they relish the grisly justice he metes out every week.
You may not have made the connections, but there is a lot that Mr. Morgan can teach us about creating a sharp, focused, killer presentation. Get the point?
The Devil in the Details
Dexter is able to be an overachieving forensics expert, an elusive serial killer, and even something of a Don Juan specifically because he leaves nothing to chance. He’s totally prepared and informed about every aspect of his target, his next job or the next phase in his romantic life. He’s totally thorough and completely clinical. The payoff for preparedness is the confidence to take on even the most daunting-seeming task while still allowing yourself the freedom to think on your feet. Wouldn’t you like to feel that way the next time you step in front of a crowd?
Know Your Target
Dexter doesn’t have a conscience, but he does live by a code. A big part of that code is that Dexter doesn’t kill just anyone. Dexter only kills serial killers, and his job with the police gives him the tools he needs to pinpoint exactly who his next target will be. When preparing your next presentation, don’t forget one of the fundamental keys to successfully engaging a crowd: know your audience. You have to know who you are talking to before you can determine how to most effectively communicate with a given group. Think of Dexter and think about who you’ll be speaking to the next time you prepare a pres!
Choose Your Weapon
Dexter is more than a little bit obsessive about his hobby and he always makes sure that his projects play to his strengths. Outside of a few plan-gone-wrong instances, Dexter’s slayings are exactly the same. He knows what he does well and he does it every time. Are you a funny guy? Are you a graceful gal? Are you a statistics wiz or a design demigod? Always control your presentation in a way that allows you to engage your strongest weapons. Your audience won’t know what hit ’em.
