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Three Presentation Skills I Learned From Being a TV Host

Posted by Leslie Ehm September 29th, 2011. One comment, leave your own

Before I worked in the ad biz, I was among other things, a TV host. I got this gig by pitching some development ideas to a TV company. Watching me do my thing, the president suddenly commented; “You know, you should be on camera.” And thus my TV career was born. But for however slick I might have been at ‘pitching’, I was in no way prepared for the challenges to come. Being on camera, especially live TV or multi-camera shoots, is still today the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But boy oh boy, were my learnings ever valuable for being an ad creative faced with regular client presentations. So here are three things that I learned from those years that turbo charged my ad career – and helped to make me a really good trainer.

1. Compartmentalizing is key. My first shooting day ever was for my talk show pilot. It was a three camera shoot, I had a panel of guests and an audience to interact with. With newly fitted earpiece, I was privy to constant camera directions, my producer asking me questions and the director orchestrating it all. I thought my head was going to explode. I was scared, overwhelmed and everything my producer said to me kept bypassing my brain filters and slipping out of my mouth. It took hours and hours to shoot. But over time, I learned the most vital skill any presenter can have – to compartmentalize my brain. What this meant was I was able to stop listening to the noise in my ear when I needed to talk, could tap into it when I needed direction, and could focus on my environment when I needed to get my bearings. How did I do it? Consciousness and practice. I HAD to do it. My career depended on it. And guess what – so does yours. Here’s my tip; when you’re in front of an audience, try to consciously move in and out of your head. Check in with yourself. Ask how you’re doing. Watch your audience for feedback. Be in the moment. Actively control the discussion by making choices as opposed to being reactive. This will literally help you build your brain muscles so that you can move things around at will. Trust me, it works.

2. The room speaks. All you have to do is listen. Everything you need to know is in the face of your audience. There’s was nothing that sucked more than seeing my audience start to drift off or worse, working straight to camera and knowing in my heart that people at home were switching channels as I spoke. I learned that if you don’t feel like they’re with you, they’re probably not. If you don’t think they’re getting it, they’re probably not. If they look frustrated, disengaged, bored, or skeptical, they probably are. So while you learn to be a master audience reader, don’t be afraid to ask them. There’s no shame in questions like “Does this make sense?” or “Is this resonating with you?”. Better yet, be self-deprecating. Own the room vibe. Try admitting “I don’t think I’m explaining this very well” or “OK, you’re looking bored. My bad. I think its time for my Ethel Merman impression.” (That one always works for me – but I really do a badass impression.). You get the idea.

3. Love the people. Try telling a TV audience they should give a shit about how you’re feeling. HA. All they want is for you to give them your soul. And even then, they may still not dig you. C’est la vie. The learning? Never ever go into a room with an oppositional head space, even if the client has beaten you up 12 times previously. Keep your energy optimistic and open. Tell yourself you will literally LOVE them into agreeing with what you’re presenting. Focus hard from start to finish. Remember, this presentation is not a rehearsal. Its all you get so give it your all. Your audience will feel you and likely be more open in return. This, I believe, is the foundation of trust building. It doesn’t mean you have to suck up or be a doormat, simply get into the emotional loop with them, see their perspective and genuinely try to get to the best place for everyone. Let your ego take a back seat and lead with your heart.

Three Signs of Creative Leadership

Posted by Leslie Ehm September 26th, 2011. No comments yet, leave your own

Most agencies rely on their CD or ECD for ‘creative leadership.” They’re given free rein to infuse the organization with free thinking, inspiration and a sense of the ‘possible’. And, in the best cases, they’re usually considered to be the partner of the company’s business lead. Sure, this works. But as I experience and develop insight into countless agencies (especially smaller ones), I’m finding this to be an increasingly outmoded concept.

I recently had the pleasure of first training and then collaborating with TraffikGroup and their President Mark Ferrier. The man’s a stone cold entrepreneur. But he’s also what I (and he) call a ‘machine gun.” He’s an ideating superpower. He gets concepts in a second, sees flaws (and opportunities) in strategy in about three, and has generated about 10 really smart and / or wacked ideas in as many seconds. But is he the CD? ECD? Nope. He could be. But instead, he’s what most organizations only dream of – a truly creative leader. While I could wax on about the man himself, you’re all better served if I just share with you some of things I’ve witnessed with him and in other great agencies so that you can recognize the signs of this type of leader – and jump on board fast!

1. Knows the power of process. Truly creative leaders understand that structure does not kill creativity – rather it can empower it like crazy. They know that by finding, creating or training on the best processes to harness the entire agency’s potential, they’re building sustainable, reliable and confident teams. When their people have challenges to overcome, they don’t simply rely on a few guys in a dark cupboard. They know how to come together and rock out their ideas and solutions as a cohesive group. And when and if those processes no longer serve – theses leader find, create or train on new ones instead of blaming the team for not delivering.

2. Gets down in the trenches. The most common criticism of agency leaders is that they’ve lost touch with what its like to have deadlines looming and no ideas. As a result, their expectations can get totally out of line with everything from timelines to budget to feasibility. The best leaders regularly get down and dirty with their teams; helping them jam on strategy, big ideas or even on what this year’s charity should be. And when they do this, they actively see what’s working, what’s not, or more importantly WHO is or isn’t working. Not only do they prove their commitment and keep their skills honed, but they get a true read on the creative chemistry of their organization.

3. Recognizes and celebrates your freak factor. It’s one thing to ask for creativity – it’s another thing to manage it. Truly creative leaders seek out fresh, dynamic and usually off kilter people to infuse and infect their organizations with the creative ‘bug’. While they don’t just let you get away with any and everything simply because you’re an asset, they do let you fly your freak flag high and find ways to put those assets into play. They recognize and celebrate your achievements. They give you a ‘place’, a home and they help you to grow and mature with your gifts instead of trying to squeeze you into a box that suits them. And they’re NOT your CD or your ECD – they’re a business mentor, a leader, a beacon and an inspiration – and that makes it even more important.

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“Leslie is absolutely one of the game-changers. Her expertise and understanding of the creative process is top notch, but the even greater value is in passion and creativity she will ignite in your people and the impact it will have on your organization.” - Mark Ferrier, President, TraffikGroup

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“I don't know how Leslie does it, but I've seen the results. Our people are more confident, better presenters and better at selling the work. I have to admit, like all Creatives, I was skeptical about a presentation training course that would be right for Creatives. But Leslie really gets it.” - Judy John, CEO, Chief Creative Officer, Leo Burnett

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