How to Win With Presentations

Introduction: The Unfair Advantage of Presenting Loud

Presentations aren’t just about slides—they’re about leadership, action, and owning your unfair advantage. In his dynamic Present to Succeed session, Richard Mulholland challenges the biggest myths in public speaking and shows how frustration can be the spark for greatness.

Why Presentations Frustrate Us (and Why That’s Good)

Richard’s journey began not with a love for presenting, but with a deep frustration at how bad most presentations were. He argues that falling in love with your frustration is the first step to real change. When you see presentations as an opportunity—not a chore—you unlock a powerful edge in any field.

The Five Lies (and Lessons) of Presenting

1. Death by PowerPoint

   The problem isn’t the tool—it’s the preparation. Blaming PowerPoint is like blaming the pan for a bad meal. Great talks are written before they’re designed or delivered. Your ovation is earned in your preparation.

   
   

2. Know Your Audience

   You can’t know every detail about your audience, but you can be the best, most authentic version of yourself. Audiences have a finely tuned authenticity detector—so bring your real self to the stage and create shared context.
   

3. Body Language Myths

   The idea that “body language is everything” is overblown. Natural, passionate delivery matters more than forced gestures. Body language is punctuation, not the language itself. Focus on your message, and the rest will follow.
   

4. Tell a Story (But Not Just Any Story)

   It’s not about your story—it’s about the audience’s story. Use stories as the “peanut butter” that helps deliver the “pill” of your message. The real hero is always the audience, not the presenter.
   

5. It’s Not About Presentations—It’s About Leadership

   Presenting is a tool for leadership and authority. The difference between a manager and a leader is the ability to communicate and inspire. Step up, speak out, and “lead loud.”
   

Selling a Story: The Hero’s Journey

Richard reframes storytelling: your job is to sell the audience a better version of their own story. Identify the “dragon” (problem), the “treasure” (opportunity), and the unique value only you can offer. Make the audience the hero, and your message will stick.

Preparation, Practice, and the Real Work

Great presentations are built on preparation, not just rehearsal. Richard shares his process: brainstorm with post-its, prototype with simple slides, and only design once the story is dialed in. The more you prepare, the more confident and effective you’ll be.

Q&A: Stories, Preparation, and Unique Value

In the Q&A, Richard tackles questions about opening with stories, brainstorming, and how much time to spend preparing. His advice: use stories with purpose, iterate your structure, and always focus on the unique problem you can solve.

Final Thoughts and Resources

Richard’s closing message is a challenge: presentations are your unfair advantage. Decide to lead loud, inspire action, and make your audience the hero of their own story.

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Join the Conversation 

What’s the biggest lie you’ve heard about presentations? Share your experience in the comments below!