Presentations: Nobody Follows a Tentative Person

I was standing at the meat counter at the local market last week and watched a leadership principle unfold before me: Nobody Follows a Tentative Person.

Normally, they have little slips of paper with numbers that make the process run smoothly: take your number and wait for it to be called. But they ran out of numbers. Which meant we had to figure out for ourselves who was next.

The nice part: people were concerned about not "butting" ahead.

The bad part: as a result, when the butcher yelled, "Next", there was a lot of shuffling, faux self-deprecation, and confusion. No meat was moving out of the display case.

Finally, someone said strongly, "I believe I am next" and, at the same time. stepped forward right in front of the butcher. Following her move, there was a similar response at the ensuing, "Next!"

The "Aw, Shucks Shuffle"

This struck me as being similar to what we often see in meetings and presentations. In an effort to not want to stand out or seem "pushy", speakers do the "Aw, Shucks Shuffle".  The result: people in the room wait forever--and uncomfortably--to get to the topical meat counter.

It's popular to want to seem like "one of the guys" and do the "we're all equal" thing.

We're not. When you are in front of a room you've been given the responsibility to lead the rest of the group. And no one follows a tentative person.

Dan McCarthy has a terrific set of tips when it comes to bumping up your Executive Presence. Give it a read.

Photo courtesy Time Inc. archives

Comments

[Hayli @ Rise Smart]

This brings to mind the '08 election - not to say McCain's totally tentative, but few would argue Obama certainly has a commanding presence and speech. And boy does he have a following!

Recent blog post: Worst recession ever? Time to grab your harmonica

[Marsha Keeffer]

What's really commanding about Obama? He asks us all to 'step up' - and wow, have communities in every corner of the U.S. responded to that. This is a test - being tentative just doesn't cut it in this economy. We can all improve by stepping up and taking responsibility - in our jobs, our homes, our relationships and our community.

[Hayli @ Rise Smart]

Just saying I thought Obama definitely came across as more commanding in speech and presence, more sure of himself and in control, throughout the debates and everything leading up to the election. Maybe I'm wrong. Then after the election was over, McCain seemed transformed into a different, more relaxed and confident person. Anyway, so Obama wins and suddenly everybody's acting like he's a savior, which is really weird. And you're absolutely right about personal responsibility - even Obama's said that many times, but that was before he started putting the government in place to babysit everything.

[Dan Erwin]

This post is a superb rationale for preparation and practice before opening the mouth.

www.danerwin.com

[Steve Roesler]

Hello, all,

I think I'll sit back and watch this one unfold:-)