You know that scene where Coyote is chasing Roadrunner and Roadrunner hides behind a rock so Coyote goes right past him and hell for leather off the edge of the cliff? Well he’s fine, of course, until he looks down.

That’s when he realises he’s running in mid air. He plummets to his doom….Until the next time.

Coyote Syndrome

I come across this Coyote syndrome quite a lot when it comes to dealing with executive presentation skills.

Clients can be perfectly OK giving engaging, even inspiring presentations on a regular basis until one day they hit a wall.

It’s usually when they have done really well. They have risen through the company. They have gained respect in their careers. They are still young but may have grown out of some of the sheer chutzpah that got them where they are.

When that day comes and they look down they see the depths of the ravine and it reveals a sea of experienced and senior faces waiting expectantly for some suitably experienced and senior words…..the possibility of falling becomes a horrible reality.

The thing is when coyote syndrome hits – it’s quite simply time to raise the bar. It’s disastrous to think about the downward plummet so the only way is up.

You are going to focus on what you do well – only you’ll do it even better.

• What can you do to make your presentation the best it can be?
• How will you structure it and craft it ahead of time or spontaneously?
• How will you respond in the moment to previous speakers?
• What will give it the edge it needs?
• How will it represent you as an individual?
• How will you challenge or inspire or impress or charm or reassure your audience?
• What is the story?
• Why will they listen?
• What will they remember?
• What will grab them?
• Why do they want to know what happens next?
• What image will they retain?
• What is interesting?
• What is the point of your pictures/props/music/film clips?
• Who are you?
• What are you actually doing?
• What have you really got to say?
• What will do you justice?
• What will they say and do afterwards?
• How can you make those damn butterflies fly in formation?

Be the best that you can be

In short, be the best that you can be. If what you want to say is worth saying then it needs to be said in a way that represents you. It will be received, understood, acted upon….and remembered.

When I’m speaking at conferences I often look out at a sea of faces and the ghost of coyote hovers at my shoulder. At that moment I can either fall or enjoy the ride.

I suggest the ride!