Energy Risk Engineering Insights

As a risk manager, risk engineer, or underwriter, you may often have to present your findings, recommendations, or solutions to various audiences, such as clients, stakeholders, or regulators. You may have a lot of data, analysis, or evidence to support your claims, but how do you turn them into a coherent and persuasive story that engages and convinces your listeners?

One of the most effective ways to improve your presentation skills is to rehearse your creative process. This means that you practice not only the delivery of your speech, but also the development of your story, explanation, or issue within your mind. By rehearsing your creative process, you can achieve the following benefits:

• You can clarify your main message and the key points you want to convey. You can also identify the gaps, inconsistencies, or weaknesses in your logic and address them accordingly.
• You can organize your information in a logical and structured way that follows a clear narrative arc. You can also decide on the best way to present your data, such as using charts, graphs, tables, or images.
• You can anticipate the questions or objections that your audience may have and prepare your responses or counterarguments. You can also tailor your presentation to suit the needs, expectations, and preferences of your audience.
• You can enhance your confidence and credibility as a speaker. You can also improve your verbal and non-verbal communication skills, such as your tone, pace, volume, eye contact, and body language.

How to Rehearse Your Creative Process

Rehearsing your creative process is not a one-time activity, but a continuous and iterative process that involves the following steps:

• Brainstorm: Generate as many ideas as possible about your topic, without judging or filtering them. You can use various techniques, such as mind mapping, free writing, or brainstorming software, to help you with this step.
• Select: Choose the most relevant, interesting, and impactful ideas that support your main message and the purpose of your presentation. You can use various criteria, such as relevance, novelty, significance, or feasibility, to help you with this step.
• Organize: Arrange your selected ideas into a logical and coherent sequence that follows a clear narrative arc. You can use various frameworks, such as the problem-solution, the cause-effect, or the situation-complication-resolution, to help you with this step.
• Draft: Write down your presentation outline, including your introduction, body, and conclusion. You can also add some notes, keywords, or bullet points to help you remember your main points and transitions.
• Review: Read your draft aloud and check if it makes sense, flows well, and achieves your objectives. You can also ask for feedback from someone else, such as a colleague, a friend, or a coach, to help you with this step.
• Revise: Make any necessary changes or improvements to your draft, based on your self-evaluation or the feedback you received. You can also add some details, examples, or anecdotes to make your presentation more engaging and memorable.
• Practice: Deliver your presentation in front of a mirror, a recorder, a camera, or a live audience, and observe your performance. You can also record yourself and watch or listen to your presentation later, to help you with this step.
• Refine: Identify your strengths and weaknesses as a speaker, and work on improving them. You can also fine-tune your presentation content, style, and format, based on your observations or the reactions of your audience.

Examples of Rehearsing Creative Process

To illustrate the benefits of rehearsing your creative process, let’s look at some examples of how different speakers have used this technique to craft compelling stories for their presentations.

• Steve Jobs: The late Apple co-founder was known for his captivating presentations that showcased his products and vision. He used the rehearsing creative process to craft his stories, using simple language, clear structure, and powerful visuals. He also practiced his delivery extensively, rehearsing every gesture, pause, and joke. One of his most famous presentations was the launch of the iPhone in 2007, where he introduced the device as a “revolutionary product” that combined three features: a phone, an iPod, and an internet communicator. He then demonstrated how the iPhone worked, using real-life scenarios and examples. He also anticipated the questions and objections that the audience might have, such as the battery life, the price, and the availability of the device, and addressed them in his presentation. He ended his presentation with a call to action, inviting the audience to join him in making history with the iPhone¹
• Malala Yousafzai: The Nobel Peace Prize laureate and activist for girls’ education delivered a powerful speech at the United Nations in 2013, on her 16th birthday. She used the rehearsing creative process to craft her story, using personal anecdotes, facts, and quotes. She also practiced her delivery, using a confident tone, a steady pace, and a calm demeanor. She started her speech by thanking the audience and expressing her gratitude for the support she received after being shot by the Taliban. She then shared her story of growing up in Pakistan, where girls were denied education and freedom. She also spoke about the challenges and threats that she and other girls faced, and how she decided to speak out against the injustice. She then explained her vision and mission of promoting education for all children, especially girls, and how she was not afraid of anyone or anything. She also addressed the questions and objections that some people might have, such as why she was fighting for girls’ education, why she was not seeking revenge, and why she was not giving up. She ended her speech with a call to action, urging the audience to join her in demanding education for every child²
• Simon Sinek: The author and motivational speaker delivered a popular TED talk in 2009, titled “How great leaders inspire action”. He used the rehearsing creative process to craft his story, using a simple concept, a clear structure, and a catchy phrase. He also practiced his delivery, using a conversational tone, a moderate pace, and a lot of eye contact. He started his talk by posing a question: “Why do some people and organizations achieve things that seem to defy all the assumptions?” He then introduced his concept of the “golden circle”, a model that explains how some leaders and organizations communicate their purpose, their “why”, before their “how” and their “what”. He then illustrated his concept with examples of successful leaders and organizations, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Apple, and the Wright brothers. He also contrasted his concept with examples of unsuccessful leaders and organizations, such as the TiVo and the US auto industry. He then explained the science behind his concept, using the biology of the human brain. He ended his talk with a call to action, encouraging the audience to find their “why” and inspire others³

Tips for Incorporating Visual Aids Effectively in Presentations

Visual aids can enhance your presentation by making it more appealing, informative, and memorable. However, using visual aids effectively requires some planning and preparation. Here are some tips for incorporating visual aids effectively in presentations:

• Choose the right type of visual aid: Depending on your topic, your audience, and your purpose, you may want to use different types of visual aids, such as charts, graphs, tables, images, videos, diagrams, or animations. Choose the type of visual aid that best suits your message and your audience’s needs. For example, if you want to show trends, patterns, or comparisons, you may want to use charts or graphs. If you want to show processes, relationships, or structures, you may want to use diagrams or animations. If you want to show examples, evidence, or emotions, you may want to use images or videos.
• Use visual aids sparingly: Visual aids should complement your presentation, not overwhelm it. Avoid using too many visual aids, or visual aids that are too complex, cluttered, or distracting. Use visual aids only when they add value to your presentation, and when they are relevant, clear, and accurate. For example, if you want to use a chart or a graph, make sure it has a title, a legend, and labels. If you want to use an image or a video, make sure it has a caption, a source, and a resolution. If you want to use an animation, make sure it has a purpose, a speed, and a duration.
• Integrate visual aids smoothly: Visual aids should flow seamlessly with your presentation, not interrupt it. Prepare your visual aids in advance, and practice using them with your speech. Make sure your visual aids are easy to access, display, and control. For example, if you want to use a PowerPoint presentation, make sure it is compatible with the projector, the remote, and the screen. If you want to use a video, make sure it is embedded in your presentation, or have a backup plan in case the internet connection fails. If you want to use a prop, make sure it is visible, audible, and safe.
• Explain and connect visual aids to your message: Visual aids should support your presentation, not replace it. Explain and connect your visual aids to your message, and make sure your audience understands and remembers them. For example, if you want to use a chart or a graph, point out the main features, the trends, or the comparisons. If you want to use an image or a video, describe what it shows, why it is important, or how it relates to your point. If you want to use an animation, narrate what it illustrates, how it works, or

what it means, or what it implies. If you want to use a prop, demonstrate how it works, what it represents, or what it symbolizes.

Tips for Handling Nerves During Presentations

Nerves are natural and normal when giving a presentation, and they can even help you perform better by boosting your energy and alertness. However, too much nerves can also hinder your presentation by affecting your voice, your body, or your mind. Here are some tips for handling nerves during presentations:

• Prepare well: The best way to reduce your nerves is to prepare well for your presentation. Rehearse your creative process, practice your delivery, and anticipate the questions or objections. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel.
• Relax yourself: Before your presentation, try to relax yourself by doing some breathing exercises, stretching exercises, or positive affirmations. You can also listen to some soothing music, drink some water, or chew some gum. These techniques can help you calm your nerves and release your tension.
• Focus on your message: During your presentation, try to focus on your message and your audience, not on yourself or your nerves. Remember why you are giving the presentation, what you want to achieve, and how you can help your audience. You can also use some cues, such as notes, keywords, or visual aids, to help you stay on track and avoid distractions.
• Embrace your nerves: Instead of trying to hide or fight your nerves, try to embrace them and use them to your advantage. You can acknowledge your nerves and make a joke about them, or you can channel your nerves into enthusiasm and passion. You can also use your nerves to connect with your audience, by showing your vulnerability, your authenticity, or your emotion.

Tips for Engaging and Interacting with Your Audience Effectively

Engaging and interacting with your audience can make your presentation more lively, interesting, and memorable. It can also help you build rapport, trust, and credibility with your audience, and get feedback, input, or support from them. Here are some tips for engaging and interacting with your audience effectively:

• Know your audience: Before your presentation, try to know your audience as much as possible, such as their background, their interests, their needs, their expectations, and their preferences. You can also do some research, such as looking at their profiles, their websites, or their social media. This can help you tailor your presentation to suit your audience and address their concerns.
• Involve your audience: During your presentation, try to involve your audience as much as possible, such as asking them questions, soliciting their opinions, or inviting their participation. You can also use some techniques, such as polls, quizzes, surveys, or games, to make your presentation more interactive and fun. This can help you engage your audience and make them feel valued and respected.
• Acknowledge your audience: Throughout your presentation, try to acknowledge your audience as much as possible, such as greeting them, thanking them, complimenting them, or praising them. You can also use some gestures, such as eye contact, smiling, nodding, or pointing, to make your presentation more personal and friendly. This can help you interact with your audience and make them feel appreciated and recognized.

Tips for Adapting Your Presentation Style for Different Types of Audiences

Adapting your presentation style for different types of audiences can help you communicate more effectively and persuasively with them. It can also help you avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, or criticisms from them. Here are some tips for adapting your presentation style for different types of audiences:

• Analyze your audience: Before your presentation, try to analyze your audience based on some factors, such as their size, their diversity, their level of knowledge, their level of interest, their level of authority, or their level of formality. You can also use some tools, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the DISC model, or the VAK model, to understand your audience’s personality, behavior, or learning style. This can help you adjust your presentation style to suit your audience and meet their expectations.
• Adjust your content: Based on your audience analysis, try to adjust your content to match your audience’s needs and preferences. You can also use some strategies, such as simplifying, emphasizing, or omitting, to modify your content according to your audience’s level of knowledge, level of interest, or level of authority. For example, if your audience is less knowledgeable, you may want to simplify your content and use more explanations, examples, or analogies. If your audience is more interested, you may want to emphasize your content and use more details, facts, or evidence. If your audience is more authoritative, you may want to omit some content and use more summaries, recommendations, or actions.
• Adjust your delivery: Based on your audience analysis, try to adjust your delivery to match your audience’s style and mood. You can also use some techniques, such as varying, adapting, or mirroring, to modify your delivery according to your audience’s personality, behavior, or learning style. For example, if your audience is more introverted, you may want to vary your delivery and use more pauses, silence, or reflection. If your audience is more dominant, you may want to adapt your delivery and use more assertiveness, confidence, or authority. If your audience is more visual, you may want to mirror your delivery and use more images, colors, or gestures.

Conclusion

Rehearsing your creative process is a powerful technique that can help you craft a compelling story for your presentation. By rehearsing your creative process, you can clarify your main message, organize your information, anticipate the questions or objections, and enhance your confidence and credibility as a speaker. Rehearsing your creative process can also help you develop your creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills, which are essential for your success as a risk manager, risk engineer, or underwriter.

To further improve your presentation skills, you can also follow some tips for incorporating visual aids effectively, handling nerves during presentations, engaging and interacting with your audience effectively, and adapting your presentation style for different types of audiences. These tips can help you make your presentation more appealing, informative, and memorable, and help you communicate more effectively and persuasively with your audience.