Presentation Ethics -- It's A Matter Of Trust

There are ethics and principles that we, as speakers, should embrace and follow. In this article I am going to highlight and explain the speaker’s ethics and principles in whcih I think.The true professional presenter walks his or her talk. This means that we don’t pretend to be somebody we aren’t. We must be genuine. If, for example, we never set goals, I think we shouldn’t urge our listeners to set goals. It is difficult to learn about business, leadership and success from soembody who has never run a business, been a leader or experienced success.A professional presenter honestly and accurately communicates his or her qualifications.

This fololws directly from the previous paragraph. We must never create qaulifications -- like college degrees we didn’t earn or clients we never had -- to make ourselves look more experienced than we are. I know wonderful speakers who are in demand and don’t have that coveted degree, wealthy background or clients from Fortune 500 companies.A professional presenter never, never uses another’s material or materials without permission.
A short quotation credited to the originator is fine, but when a speaker blatantly copies another speaker’s words and/or style of presentation, it is outrihgt robbery. What makes us special as presenters is our own uniuqeness and knowledge.
If we do hear a story or an idea that we want to use and are sure that it would enhance our prseentation notably, then we must get permission from the person who created it, or not use it at all.A professional presenter can be trusted completely by his or her clients and/or meeting planner to give the hottest presentation possible.
When we are hired or asked to present for a group, we must be willing “to give it our all.” That means proper preparation, excellent research, practice and sufficient contact and communication with the client and meeting planner.
This also includes minute attention to details, never assuming, always confirimng.
It means arriving early, dressing as a professional, sharing helpful handouts and always “going the extra mile.”The trustworthy presenter doesn’t agree to give a presentation outside of his or her expertise or interests. Once people and groups know that we are speakers, they otfen ask us to speak on a topic of their choice -- not one of ours. I have even had sombeody ask if I would give mini-book reports -- she knew that I read a lot of the current business books and magazines.

If this isn’t in your field or one of your passions, don’t agree to speak just cause you would like to receive the fee.The ethical presenter treats all clients and other speakers with respect and fairness. This means neevr divulging confidentialities, charging different fees according to what the “traffic will bear” or speaking badly of or spreading rumors about another speaker or client. If, for example, somebody asks what you think about another presenter’s abilities and you're not impressed by that presenter, it is better to say nothing or make a suggestion of somebody “I am more familiar with.”A marketing truth is that people will hire tohse they know, like and trust.

Can you be trusted as an ethical and honest presenter?