Unlocking the Power of Inclusive Presentations: Lessons from Nolan Haims

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Introduction: Presentations for Every Audience—A New Standard for Inclusive Presentations

What does it take to make a presentation that truly connects with everyone? In his insightful Present to Succeed session, Nolan Haims—renowned presentation expert and founder of Nolan Haims Creative—challenges us to move beyond the basics and embrace inclusivity as a core value in our communication. With years of experience helping organizations worldwide, Nolan’s approach is both practical and inspiring.

Beyond the Speaker: Why Inclusivity Matters

Nolan reminds us that presentations aren’t for the speaker—they’re for the audience. And today’s audiences are more diverse than ever. From age and language to ability and background, every person brings a unique perspective. The goal? Make sure everyone feels included, understood, and valued.

The Best Faith Effort: Progress Over Perfection

Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of “getting it right”? Nolan introduces the concept of the “best faith effort”—a mindset that encourages us to try, learn, and improve, even if we’re not perfect. It’s about making thoughtful choices and being open to feedback, not about achieving 100% compliance.

Slide Design: Glanceable, Accessible, and Human

Great slides are like billboards: clear, quick to understand, and visually engaging. Nolan shares his top tips for designing slides that work for all brains:

• Use the Picture Superiority Effect—images are remembered better than text.

• Edit down your text and use more slides to avoid overwhelming your audience.

• Prioritize readability with larger text, high contrast, and color-safe palettes.

Imagery and Icons: Moving Beyond Stereotypes

Choosing the right visuals is about more than aesthetics. Nolan encourages presenters to look for images and icons that reflect the real diversity of their audience. He shares practical advice for finding inclusive stock photos and even clever design tricks (like using images without faces) to avoid unintentional bias.

Language and Delivery: Reaching Everyone

Inclusivity isn’t just visual—it’s verbal. Nolan demonstrates how features like live subtitles and translation can make presentations accessible to more people. He also offers delivery tips for both in-person and online settings, from using microphones to keeping your camera on for those who rely on lip reading.

Q&A: Real-World Challenges and Solutions

The session wraps up with audience questions about balancing emotion and inclusivity in imagery, handling accessibility features in PowerPoint, and overcoming our own unconscious biases. Nolan’s advice? Stay aware, keep learning, and always strive for that best faith effort.

Final Thoughts: Anyone Can Make a Difference

Nolan Haims’ session proves that you don’t need to be an expert to make your presentations more inclusive. With awareness, intention, and a willingness to adapt, anyone can create slides and stories that resonate with every audience.

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Join the Conversation

What’s one change you’ll make to your next presentation to be more inclusive? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!