3 Group Presentation Pitfalls — and How to Avoid Them

Group presentations can be a minefield of potential pitfalls. From communication breakdowns to uneven work distribution, these challenges can derail even the most well-planned presentations. Let's delve into three common issues and explore strategies to sidestep them effectively.

Putting together an effective group presentation takes teamwork and coordination

Every presentation is an opportunity to build trust with your audience

• The cohesiveness of your group presentation indicates to your clients what their relationship will be like working with you
• You are presenting a glimpse into your working relationship as well as into your organization’s capabilities

Each slide looks like it was designed by a different person

When no single person is in charge of a presentation, you tend to see a disjointed slide deck of different fonts, text styles, and images

• People often put their entire script on the slide and read from it exactly

Practice as a group

Use a timer to ensure you are keeping to the allotted time, or set a realistic time limit based on the format of your meeting, so you ensure plenty of time to field questions

• Make time to evaluate the slides together so that the language, font, and use of graphics are consistent

Presenters talk over one another

Don’t take the time to decide who is covering what, and how you will transition from one presenter to the next

Deliver with confidence and authenticity

Lead with the speaker who best represents your organization; give junior speakers an opportunity to present in the middle

• When speaking in person, position yourself so that you can reference the slides but speak directly to the audience
• Bring your own personality
• Look directly into the camera lens so the audience sees and feels your eye contact

Forgetting that you are “on”

Once someone finishes their part of a group presentation, they often forget they are still “on stage” or on camera

Strategize in advance

Ask three questions: who is your audience, what is your goal, and why you?

• For group presentations, answer those questions together
• Block off time to prepare as a group
• Use this time to agree on your audience’s level of knowledge about the topic, your specific goal for the presentation, the main message, the general outline, and who will present each section

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