Presentation Skills and Techniques in Action: C. Mitzi Sinnott
Today I got the link to a TEDx Talk by the incomparable, C. Mitzi Sinnott: Trust Your Truth and Serve the World. The first time I watched it I was swept up in the stories, the beauty, the open-hearted generosity. I watched it again minutes later, noticing the skills and techniques she brings to her performance. And then again, just because…because I wanted to make sure I soaked in her deep, heartfelt message. I wanted to make sure I let myself be moved to action.
Minutes later, I asked Mitzi if I could write this post and refer to her her talk to illustrate the techniques I have outlined in the KBS blog.
Below are a few of the skills and techniques I noticed in Mitzi’s talk and have written about here. There are links to the original posts. Take a look at the talk, click to read more about the skills being practiced.
Importantly, we, all of us, can practice these skills! We, all of us, can create this magic in every kind of talk or presentation!
If you want to experience a speaker generously including her audience, you will feel it here.
If you want to know how to begin and end a talk, take note of Mitzi’s breath and connection with the audience.
If you want to know how to “show” a story, watch as Mitzi inhabits her characters with clarity and humanity.
If you want to see how a speaker uses their body, their voice, their expression, this talk shows it all.
If you want to see how a speaker uses the space, take note of stillness, movement, and how she creates new worlds simply by sitting on a cube.
If you want to see how emotions come and go, are not forced or avoided, not manufactured or suppressed, note how Mitzi’s tear falls as a by-product of her purpose—neither squelched nor pushed.
If you want to know how to speak with Intention, watch Mitzi’s talk.
If you want to see how using Intention animates the entire talk, here it is.
If you want to see why we prepare and prepare and prepare for any presentation, this is why.
If you want to know why the skills of the actor make wonderful leaders, speakers, innovators, watch Mitzi.
If you want to experience magic, the magic of human connection, the magic of being transported to new places and times, magic that only comes from the bare stage and the actor’s skills, watch.
If you want to know how to speak to change the world…enjoy and let yourself be persuaded.