Peak Performance Presentations : How to Present with Passion and Purpose: Lessons for Business from the World of Theatre

by Olivier, Richard

• ISBN13: 9781844390977
• ISBN10: 1844390977
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-05-01
• Publisher: Spiro Pr

Summary

Presentations are a key part of business life, yet most of us fail to achieve our presentation potential, whether speaking to 5, 50 or 500 people. We may say the right words but fail to deliver the message, we may use the latest gizmos but fail to make a mark. Drawing on their first-hand experience of working with actors (and business people), Olivier and Janni offer unique insights into how to present with clarity, passion and presence. Packed with practical exercises and activities, plus real- life case studies and anecdotes. Richard Olivier is Director of Olivier Mythodrama Associates. Nicholas Janni is a Visiting Fellow at the Praxis Centre of the Cranfield School of Management.

Author Biography

Nicholas Janni is a founding member and Associate Director of Olivier Mythodrama, and delivers leadership and presentation training seminars worldwide.

Table of Contents

Prologue	p. xi
Introduction	p. xix
Opening Thoughts	p. xix
Theatre Theory	p. xxi
The Journey	p. xxii
Peak Performance	p. xxiv
Can We Control Peak Performance?	p. xxvii
How To Use This Book	p. xxix
Learning and Practice	p. xxxi
Developing Foresight	p. xxxii
Foundations
Presence	p. 3
Present, Past or Future?	p. 4
The Foundations of Presence	p. 7
Relaxation	p. 8
Breathing	p. 12
Grounding	p. 15
Dual Attention	p. 17
Everyday Practice	p. 21
Voice	p. 25
Basic Principles	p. 26
Preparing the Body	p. 28
Making Sound - First Steps	p. 34
Vocal Expressiveness	p. 36
Volume	p. 40
Vocal Warm-up and Final Thoughts	p. 42
Overcoming the Blocks
The Inner Critic	p. 47
Nerves are not the Problem	p. 47
Introducing the Inner Critic	p. 48
How the Inner Critic developed	p. 48
Finding the Inner Critic	p. 50
Effects and Net Results	p. 53
Tracking the Origin	p. 54
The Inner Coach	p. 61
Sense Memory	p. 61
Introducing the Inner Coach	p. 65
Level 1 or Level 2?	p. 66
Creating an Antidote - Level 1	p. 70
Finding the Inner Coach - Level 1	p. 73
Using the Inner Coach - Level 1	p. 74
Creating an Antidote - Level 2	p. 77
Finding the Inner Coach - Level 2	p. 78
Using the Inner Coach - Level 2	p. 80
Expanding the Repertoire
Playing the Right Character	p. 87
Differentiating Role and Personality	p. 87
Introducing the Characters	p. 88
Identifying your Favourite Character	p. 89
Overplaying your Favourite Character	p. 92
Rehearsing a New Character	p. 92
The Good King	p. 95
The Good King Prepares	p. 95
Super Objective - Finding the "Why"	p. 96
Assessing the Audience - The "Who"	p. 98
Motivation - Why do you want it?	p. 100
Role Analysis	p. 102
Rehearsal with Feedback	p. 106
Playing the Good King	p. 108
Obstacles	p. 109
Cues	p. 115
Activities to Practise the Good King	p. 117
Good King Action Plan	p. 118
The Great Mother	p. 119
Preparing with Caring	p. 121
Assessing the Emotional State of your Audience	p. 121
Developing Emotional Awareness	p. 122
Connecting with your Material	p. 125
Managing your Emotional State	p. 127
Presenting with Awareness	p. 130
Playing The Great Mother	p. 131
Obstacles	p. 133
Exploring the Great Mother	p. 135
Developing the Great Mother	p. 138
Cues	p. 140
Activities to Practise the Great Mother	p. 141
Great Mother Action Plan	p. 143
The Medicine Woman	p. 145
The Power of Story	p. 145
Imagining to Prepare	p. 148
Working with Image	p. 149
Finding an Image	p. 151
Metaphorical Thinking	p. 154
Efficiency vs Effectiveness	p. 157
Playing the Medicine Woman	p. 158
Seeing the Image	p. 159
Using Props	p. 160
Obstacles	p. 160
Cues	p. 166
Activities to Practise the Medicine Woman	p. 167
Medicine Woman Action Plan	p. 169
The Warrior	p. 171
The Warrior Prepares	p. 172
Playing the Warrior	p. 173
Obstacles	p. 173
Developing the Warrior	p. 177
Cues	p. 180
Activities to Practise the Warrior	p. 181
Warrior Action Plan	p. 182
Hitting the Mark
Authenticity	p. 187
Levels of Authenticity	p. 187
The Mask	p. 189
Developing Awareness	p. 192
Assumptions and Counter-arguments	p. 194
Core Values	p. 197
What Really Matters	p. 199
Preparing for Peak Performance	p. 203
"I'm Too Busy"	p. 203
External Preparation	p. 204
Personal "Rituals"	p. 208
Internal Preparation	p. 209
Emotional Awareness	p. 210
Presence	p. 210
Voice	p. 211
Overcoming the Blocks - Inner Critic/Inner Coach	p. 212
Sense Memory	p. 213
Calling in a Character	p. 213
Authenticity	p. 214
"Waiting in the Wings" - Preparation Sequence Example	p. 215
Stepping Onstage	p. 216
Epilogue	p. 217
Bibliography/Further Reading	p. 219
Further Resources	p. 221
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