While we haven’t made it to the theater to see the new 3D version of the film, we’re sure it will be at least as good as the original. The Lion King has recently received a 3D facelift and while we can imagine how lovely the jungle landscape and how intense the fight between Simba and Scar must look flying off the screen, we’re mostly in love with the film’s characters and its story of growing up, growing old and finding one’s place in the circle of life.
For the uninitiated, the tale of The Lion King is nothing less than a Shakespearean epic about family, loss, revenge, love and becoming oneself. The baby lion Simba is born to take over his father’s throne as Lion King. The cub’s devious uncle Scar plots to take the throne away from them both. Following a tragic loss, Simba is exiled and finds himself on a voyage of discovery of new places, new faces and – ultimately – of himself.
The movie is a modern classic for all ages. And – believe it or not – it’s also full of great advice for presenters who view the movie with the right eyes.
Grasp Greatness
At its core, The Lion King is a story about a prince who is destined to become a king. Not only does his evil uncle stand in his way, he is also tempted to forego his future for easier paths. One of the biggest obstacles for a great presenter is giving themselves permission to be great. For many of us, a sense of modesty or a fear of taking command of the stage is one of the most difficult things we face in presentations. Take a lesson from The Lion King and claim your crown!
Go with the Flow
One of the best moments in The Lion King comes when Simba’s companions Timon and Pumbaa sing the immortal “Hakuna Matata.” In case you’ve forgotten, hakuna matata means “no worries.” While we always advocate preparedness and practice before any presentation, sometimes the best laid plans blow up in our faces. The next time things start going wrong with your presentation, just remember – hakuna matata!
Believe in Your Self
The key to Simba’s story was his willingness to believe in himself. We all have challenges when it comes to presentations, but there isn’t any weakness that can’t be transformed into a strength if we are willing to believe that it’s possible. Just by deciding we can do something we open our lives and our presentations to brand new possibilities. Believe in yourself and believe that your presentations can be better than ever!
