3. Embrace Vulnerability
Dr. Brené Brown, a renowned social psychologist and the author of Daring Greatly a New York Times #1 best seller, defines vulnerability as “uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.” She then goes on to say that “vulnerability is the core of all emotions and feelings.” What we know when it comes to presentations is that emotions and feelings are a driving force in information retention and engagement.
However, we live in a culture that is terrified of vulnerability. Recent studies show that the millennial generation, though it is the most connected generation of all time via technology, is the most disconnected generation of all time socially. Technology has allowed our culture to photoshop the highlight reel of our lives into the spotlight rather than the real vulnerable versions.
What that means is that whether we like it or not, or we know it or not, our culture is starving for vulnerability and authenticity. As presenters we have the opportunity to tap into this starvation and use it to draw people in and connect to their hearts and minds. But it comes at a risk, because as Dr. Brené brown has found, vulnerability is dangerous — it opens you up to criticism and judgement. However, if we learn to harness it, vulnerability can be the ultimate language to your audience’s heart.
The question is how? Here are a few ways you can step into vulnerability in your next presentation.
Practice vulnerability. As a presenter you take time to practice your presentation, delivering your speech 10, 20, sometimes even 30 times before you ever step on a stage or in front of a board room. But when it comes to vulnerability, we expect to write it in and have it come out on stage. That is simply not the case. If we want our real selves to come out in front of our audience, we must be willing to let our real selves come out in front of friends, family, and coworkers. You must be willing to take off the mask in front of those you trust if you ever hope to in front of those you don’t know.
Prepare to be vulnerable. Vulnerability is not natural for most of us. That is why often times when the rubber meets the road and we are standing in front of an audience, we will default away from vulnerability. But that doesn’t have to be the case if we take the time to prepare ahead of time to be vulnerable. This could be something as simple as making a note in your outline of times when vulnerability needs to break through, or as in depth as writing out a vulnerable story word for word prior to delivering your presentation. Regardless of the way you prepare, be sure to do it, so that you don’t have the easy excuse of “I forgot” when it’s time for the real thing.
Master vulnerability. In the words of one of the greatest sports brands of all time, vulnerability is something that you have to “Just do it.” It’s not always fun, and more often than not it is uncomfortable, but you must be willing to step into the uncomfortable to unlock the hearts and minds of your audience. As presenters we must become masters of vulnerability. We must do the hard work of wrestling down our reality and facing some of our struggles so that we can then expose them to our audience. When we become masters of vulnerability, we bridge the gap between the head and the heart, helping our audience not just understand, but experience the presentation and emotion with us.
Vulnerability is tough. For me it is the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my presenting, but it is also a beautiful and powerful experience. Whether you are presenting to a venture capital pitch or a keynote speech, vulnerability will not fall flat. Instead it will elevate you to a place of authority and connection, leaving your audience ready to join whatever team you are on or project you are part of.
If you want to learn more about vulnerability check out Dr. Brené Brown’s TED talk, “The power of vulnerability,” which to this date has over 7 million views.
