Jacqueline Farrington
Jacqueline Farrington has over 20 years of experience coaching speakers for companies such as Amazon and Microsoft, as well as startups and nonprofits. She blends her experience in the performing arts, vocal pedagogy, communications, psychology, and organizational and executive coaching to help her clients find unique communication solutions.
Jacqueline is also speaking at our upcoming online event, The Presentation Design Conference, which takes place March 6-8, 2024. We thought it would be fun to get to know her better with some Q&A.
What is the biggest mistake designers make in PowerPoint?
One of the most common missteps is neglecting rehearsal. While many invest a significant amount of time crafting their content, they often dedicate only 1-2 hours to rehearsing. How you say what you say matters. When you find yourself thinking about how to say things during your presentation, it can overload your cognitive processes. This leads to a disconnect with your audience, making you preoccupied with questions like, “Where should I stand? What do I do with my hands? Which words should I emphasize and how?” It’s a bit like trying to pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time. You end up talking at the audience rather than with them.
Favorite feature in PowerPoint that you wouldn’t want to live without?
My go-to feature is Speaker Coach. While it can’t replace a real speaker coach, it’s invaluable for providing essential feedback, like whether you’re over-reliant on your slides or speaking too quickly.
Best suggestion or tip for anyone new to presentation design?
Preparation, including rehearsal, sets you free. Preparation is your North Star and experience is your secret weapon. The more you practice, the better you become at delivering a smooth performance, even when life throws you a curveball. And as you gain experience, you’ll become adept at speaking on the fly when you need to.
Most unexpected use for PowerPoint that you’ve seen (or done)?
I’ve seen people design simple product prototypes or wireframes within PowerPoint, adding interactivity through hyperlinks. It’s very cool and is helpful for pitching ideas or demonstrating concepts.
What are you most excited to share in your upcoming session?
Strategic presence. While we’ve traditionally emphasized “executive presence,” I think it’s too exclusive and limiting. Strategic presence is more inclusive and authentic because it enables speakers to harness their personal values and life experiences, creating a more genuine connection with their audience.
This article was last modified on March 8, 2024
This article was first published on January 11, 2024
Commenting is easier and faster when you're logged in!
