"Emotion moves us to action": RADA Business practitioner Abi Eniola shares her expertise on BBC Radio 4's The Bottom Line
What does it take to present well and connect with an audience? RADA Business Practitioner and Leadership Coach Abi Eniola joined Evan Davis on BBC Radio 4’s The Bottom Line to explore presentations beyond PowerPoint and how to communicate with more impact.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds: Presentations: How to Avoid 'Death By PowerPoint'
Here are her key insights and what they mean for today’s professionals.
1. You can only remember so much. Focus on the key messages
"Less is more.”
Abi opened the conversation by responding to the question: "Why is presenting so terrifying?". Being in the spotlight and concerns around vulnerability and rejection are among the most commonly reported fears.
Using her background in performance and communication coaching, Abi shared how anyone can better respond to their audience by focusing on the key messages. Stepping away from a script will help you to deliver with greater clarity, connection and confidence, even when under pressure.
2. Logic drives understanding. Emotion drives action.
One of Abi’s most resonant contributions was this:
“Words help us to understand the message but it’s emotion that moves us to action.”
It’s a line that struck a chord with the panel and listeners alike. In business, facts and logic may contribute to winning the argument but emotion wins hearts, inspires belief and drives change. The ability to connect authentically is what separates an effective presentation from a inspiring one.
Be clear about the emotional journey that you want to take your audience on. This helps to gain their buy-in. At all times when planning what you will say, think: 'how do I want to affect them?'
3. Storytelling brings life to data and gives the audience a sense of who you are
Abi explained how an audience will sit there, no matter how good the data, and think:
"Right, so what? What does that mean?"
This is where storytelling comes in. Abi and her fellow panellists explored how leaders can learn to present with more than slides: by using presence, body language and storytelling to spark engagement.
These aren’t soft skills. They’re strategic ones. In a world of data and deadlines, the ability to read a room and connect emotionally is a critical asset in a business.
She offered guiding principles for turning your data into a story that connects. Consider the following approach:
- What is the obstacle or challenge?
- What is the resolution?
- What is the wisdom behind it? How did this change our actions?
Taking this approach brings to life the data so that the audience gets a sense of who you are.
RADA Business: helping leaders speak with impact
Abi’s appearance on The Bottom Line is a reflection of the work RADA Business does every day: helping leaders bring greater presence, clarity and influence to their communication.
Whether it’s a keynote, an internal pitch, or a difficult conversation, how you show up matters.
“Ultimately it’s about having the ease to ‘turn the camera’ onto your audience and to just be present.”
You might be surprised at how a few small changes will help you perform with greater ease and impact.
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