It’s widely perceived that to be successful in any aspect of life – especially in a career or professional setting – a person must garner favor from everybody. One thought leader suggests that an individual’s likability determines whether others can trust him or her or not. For presenters, there are several pieces that, when put together, complete their unique presentation style. At Ethos3, we’ve developed a proprietary presentation assessment that reveals a presenter’s presentation persona based on 4 distinct quadrants: exploration, sharing, response, and durability. Each of these categories relates to a measure called the likability quotient – a Q rating. Merriam-Webster defines a Q rating as “a scale measuring the popularity of a person or thing typically based on dividing an assessment of familiarity by an assessment of favorable opinion.” Presenters can leverage their particular strengths in the 4 quadrants to enhance their likability quotient.
What is Exploration?
A presenter who scores highly in the exploration quadrant is consistently prepared for presentations. He or she researches intensely, fact checks meticulously, and rehearses tirelessly.
Likability Tip: Know your audience
Make sure you have a strong grasp on your audience demographics, interests, needs, and concerns before you begin creating presentation content. Write a list of 3-5 questions that your audience might want to know about your topic and answer them through your research. Use these responses as a foundation for your presentation structure and overall message. The more questions you can answer without audience members asking, the more credible and reliable you appear.
What is Sharing?
A high score in sharing translates into a positive appearance on stage. Confident and charismatic presenters will likely excel in this quadrant. Timid and rigid presenters will score on the lower end of the scale.
Likability Tip: Use appropriate body language
To increase your likability through sharing, align the words you say with the actions you take. For example, if you are delivering an uplifting message, smile more throughout your talk. On the other hand, if the point of your presentation is to encourage your audience to face a harsh reality, reflect that tone in your body language through direct gestures. Your body should be in sync with your mind. Creating a consistent experience for your audience is key for becoming more likable in the sharing quadrant.
What is Response?
What does your audience think of you? Do people love to love you? The response quadrant is all about your audience’s reaction to you and your ideas or information.
Likability Tip: Have some fun
You’ll have a better chance of relating to listeners if you can shift the power dynamic that is naturally created through the presenter-attendee roles. Allow your sense of humor to shine in small doses. According to a Psychology Today article, our funny ancestors were also our leading ancestors. That’s because humor has the ability to produce positive feelings for an individual, as well as an entire group of people.
What is Durability?
A durable presenter typically delivers messages that stand the test of time. Their presentations are basically unforgettable. And their words just as impactful 10, 20, or 30 years from the moment they said them.
Likability Tip:
The presenter who listens to the concerns of their audience will set himself or herself up for a timeless presentation.
Presenters who can assess their performances critically are the presenters who are most capable of achieving presentation success. By knowing where you stand as far as exploration, sharing, response, and durability are concerned in your speaking events, you can chart a path towards improvement. For more tips and tricks to increasing your likability quotient, review the articles below:
How an Improv Class Can Improve Your Public Speaking
How to Gain Trust as a Public Speaker
