Last week, GWNET held its second knowledge-transfer webinar for participants of the LAC & MENA Mentoring Programme 2019/2020, on the topic of Personal Development: Self-Presentation. We were delighted to welcome key speaker Sonia Zavesky, Director of Zavesky Consulting Pty Ltd, a strategic verbal communication consultancy working with a range of clients to increase their confidence and competence in public speaking and media interviews.
It is very important for women working in male-dominated areas to present themselves with self-confidence in order to convince the audience of their ideas. With this in mind, Sonia did not focus on the content of a presentation, but rather on how to “present your best self.” How can we prepare ourselves for a presentation and how do we use the power of our body to deliver a powerful presentation? These are a few of the questions that were answered during the engaging webinar.
Sonia led participants through several physical and mental exercises which are pivotal to shifting inner perspectives and settling into a presenter’s mindset. These exercises guided participants on becoming effective communicators who can establish a strong connection with their audience – it is often small but crucial things that help to increase self-confidence on stage!
Key insights from the presentation and subsequent Q&A session included:
- Go with a positive attitude to every speaking engagement you are a part of.
- Consider the cultural context in which you will be doing the presentation. Think about the do’s and don’ts in specific settings/countries.
- Do not underestimate the importance of nutrition, drinking water and sufficient sleep for a good presentation.
- Think about your personal presentation goals: What do you want to achieve with your presentation?
If you are interested in knowing more about GWNET’s mentoring programmes, read more here.
