The A.R.T. (and Science) of Connecting:
A New Paradigm for Technical Presentations
For your work to change the world, it must be communicated to someone else. How do you tell the story of your work? The basic unit of human interaction is not data. It is a story. Modern neuroscience has much to tell us about the way the brain responds to a story. If you want your audience to Accept, Remember, and Take action on the information you present, you must first make a connection with your listeners at a human level—hence, the A.R.T. of Connecting.
But connecting is not just art; it is also science! We now know that stories prompt the release of the neurotransmitter oxytocin, which promotes feelings of empathy and connection. In short, a well-told story leads the listener to want what the protagonist of the story wants. In order to move listeners to take action, you need to know what effective orators (and salespeople!) have long known: facts tell, stories sell.
Attendees to this presentation will come away thinking about their technical presentations in an entirely new way. They will be prepared to use new tools, such as…
- The Specific Purpose Statement as a content filter
- The five-part skeletal story as a fundamental structure
- A unique template for drafting a talk in a conversational, yet scientifically rigorous, way
This 60-minute presentation is highly interactive and includes time for participants to collaborate with a neighbor in using these tools. It contains elements of both a keynote and a mini-workshop. If desired, it can be extended to give more workshop time.
Intended audience: scientists, engineers, or other quantitative thinkers who need to give presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences. They will leave with new tools, a new way of thinking about their objective, and the confidence to know they are prepared to make a difference to their next audience.
