Art Director here. I am an awkward presenter. I've taken all the classes and made multiple attempts to improve. I'm very good at my job; my ideas make waves. Is my upward mobility is limited?

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I have found that prepping and writing my presentation "narrative" helps immensely. Include transition language too between slides. Add relevant anecdotes and references. Rehearse it over and over before and it will start to feel natural. It's helped me so much.

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Tip: Start your narrative with a relevant truth. I can't stress this enough. Truth doesn't just help set the foundation of an idea, it builds incremental credibility with your audience, right out of the gate. It gets you a head nod before you even begin, and it's amazing what that head nod will do for your confidence as you move to the next slide.

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Yes. If you can't be trusted to do new biz, it would be hard to make the upper levels. I would find a career coach that can help you ID you own style and make it work instead of the classes with canned strategies.

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I don't mean this to sound rude, but presenting is part of your job, so the answer to your question is "yes"

Agree with BSD1 that the best thing to do would be some 1:1 coaching that evaluates your strengths/weaknesses and helps you prioritize which ones to work on. If you're coming up with the insights and ideas, then there IS a way to present them compellingly, you just haven't found it yet.

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Go take improv classes. That'll fix you up right quick. Also, look into an energy shot called TruBrain. It has nootropics (Google it) that will help you with verbal fluency (finding the right words at the right time)

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Be sincere and try to show your passion even if restrained. Clients can see through the BS and would rather awkward sincerity and genuineness. Don't worry about the "polish" and let your ideas/work shine. The upward mobility will come.

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You gotta let yourself go. Go all in on it. Don't hold back. Stop caring about what people think and shine on you crazy diamond. You need to become the butterfly you were destined to be. Make haste at once!

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It's true that bullshit flows from some people's mouths... forget them, that's their buzz and they're entitled to it. Use whatever words you like, but believe in it, show them you care, and don't hold back. Be you, wholeheartedly.

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@LB Five semesters at Second City. I didn't suck. It helped. Just not enough.

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OP the""silver" tongues who always jump in with the jargon are also Dickheads. Stay true to yourself and you'll be fine. Authenticity is the best. Also, bonus points if you can explain things in simple language.

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sounds small but don't tell yourself you are a awkward presenter. even if it's true. self fulfilling prophecy and all that. keep trying don't beat yourself up. practice practice practice. I always consider jumping out of a window before I go up. I literally black out up there. I keep doing it. I did improv class and always take an opportunity to present. God I hate it

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Continued... I tend to lean on my CW partner during presentations. Sometimes I sense resentment for that. However, my ideas always float to the top and carry the presentation. I feel like my out-of-the-spotlight contributions should count as much or more.

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I struggle with this -- less now than in the past. What has ACTUALLY helped: Get good presenters to help you "script" (not write a script of exactly what you say when, but give you some powerful lines for starting, key points and ideas, and making your presentation a narrative with good flow). Practicing with pillows in chairs (only for really important things). Also, someone suggested acting classes and I am still thinking of doing that. Finally, address the room in a friendly, human way as you start.

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Most presentations I participate in are a team effort, with the ball being batted back and forth, instead of passing the baton. I do not thrive in an extemporaneous setting, specially with temperamental clients. The advertising jargon and sycophantic bullshit cripples me.

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Well, I can confidently say that what *won't* help is sneering at the presentation process and pretending to be above it all.

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Hey OP it's good to your limitations. I and to not try to force yourself to be something that you aren't. That being said, I don't know of anyone in life who is able to be much higher than ditch digger if they don't have some ability to present and communicate their ideas. I'm in a fairly low roll, but I've been making headway in my career largely to being able to present my ideas due to many years of practice in prior jobs. If you're happy at staying at the art director level, which is a good place to be, then continue your current method and be happy with where you're at. If you want to move up though then you need to spend a lot of time presenting your ideas. I'd suggest starting YouTube channel or other video social network and do tutorials, you'll probably not be speaking to anyone but it'll give you much of the same feeling. If your partner is better at presenting then run your spiel by them. A couple books I'd suggest: influence by cialdini, sale Bible by gitmer, pre-suasion by cialdini, on killing by Grossman, What Every BODY is Saying - by Joe Navarro.

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@op sure thing, they aren't specific to presenting but to persuasion and psychology, but I think that presenting is more experiential learning and the books give you a good base to feel comfortable with presenting.

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Not to be a Pollyanna but I really think there's a capable presenter in everyone. I feel like there's often a perception that there is one way to "own a room" (i.e. the silver tongue example) when in reality, there are lots of avenues to make an impact. Punt the job of laying out the business case that'll inevitably involve some of that jargony butt-kissing but fight like hell to be able to tell a story about how you came to the creative idea and why it matters to you.

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There are certain things that are out of your control - and it seems like being in rooms with blowhards is one. Can you be the weighted balance in the room? The cerebral thinker? The one making discoveries while all the dude-bros are ping ponging off each other by observing how your audience is reacting? Watching for when clients share a look? Or lose interest? After the dude-bros are done peacocking, you can command the room fast by asking a client about a particular moment they responded to. Or by looking for kindred soul in the room - the quieter client - and asking them what their thoughts are.

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I just realized you didn't ask for help. just an answer on advancment. I don't know how it all works to be honest but my gut says it will hold you back if not mastered but you are in a good spot and if not the top of the chain you'll get someplace where you are comfortable and happy. We are sometimes limited in certain areas. we do our best to conquer.

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