At the end of every presentation skills workshop, we ask for feedback from the participants and we encourage them to be as honest with us as we’ve been with them. I have not posted any feedback, but this critique describes our “Presenting with Power” workshop — and the universal principles upon which it is based — so eloquently that I requested permission to use it publicly.
Philip Cowell is the head writer at Here. Design (www.heredesign.co.uk), the award-winning) design and branding studios in London. I am humbled by his response and honored to have worked with him and his team.
What segments of “Presenting with Power” delivered for you? In what ways?
The space and time to think and feel through my public persona and experience how I present myself (in every sense) was both challenging and nourishing. Joe creates a safe-ish space to do this – and I mean safe-ish in a good way! It has to be safe, but it also has to be unsafe enough for growth. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the workshop, again – on the edge in a really good way! – because Joe’s delivery helped me feel alert, excited and nervous, and excited about my nervousness, all at once. My favourite segments were on the body; I love any work that helps me come back to my embodiment, and the power that lies within it, and Joe’s workshop and approach is very attuned to the body. By the end of the workshop, I realised that “presenting with power” is about “presence-ing” — if you turn up to the moment as it is, you automatically gain the power that is inside you. I like the word “presence-ing” because it sounds like “presence” and “sing,” and there is something songful about someone enjoying their powerful presence.
What could have been better or different and how? Please be honest—as I was with you.
I wanted the presentations in the PresFest to feel less rushed at the end, which might be my fault (partly) as one of the earlier presenters who went over the allocated 2 mins. I wonder if Joe could be more strict on the 2 minute timings and stop people the second they go over? Keeping to time limitation is, after all, part of being a powerful presenter.
Having said that, Joe is very time-conscious throughout and I felt very well-held the whole time, knowing where I was and what was expected of me at each stage. I might have loved one or two bits more of neuroscience but I’m a neuroscience junky, so ignore that.
On a scale of 0-10, how would you rate this experience? Feel free to compare it to other workshops you’ve taken or how it met or failed to meet your expectations.
I’ve done quite a few workshops in this area, not to do with presenting as such, but certainly to do with power and having presence. Joe is exceptional. He is an exciting speaker, a strong speaker, and a thoughtful speaker. Joe talks the talk and walks the walk – he himself presents with power (and in a way I think I learnt as much from his nonverbal teaching as his verbal). His approach is rooted in some top quality research and a multitude of practices which really appeal – the stuff on hostage negotiators was fascinating. Joe’s way with words is wonderful and I often wrote down things just because of the way he had said them – e.g. “Let us luxuriate in your thinking.” Joe is countercultural. His work goes against the grain of what we’re taught and told as kids and young adults. Joe should rewrite the primary school curriculum or something! So I’m giving this a strong, heartfelt 9 out of 10. With gratitude, Joe!