The very first question that arises — before even getting into the star of today’s show (which just so happens to be the STAR method) — is “Why?”
Why change the method of my presentation skills?
The answer is simple — science. The famous biologist Richard Dawkins once said, “Science works. Planes fly. Cars drive. Computers compute. If you base medicine on science, you cure people. If you base the design of planes on science, they fly. If you base the design of rockets on science, they reach the moon. It works…”
Now, the same applies to language and pitching something in a presentation. Understanding the science behind the way our brains work, can change the way we approach making presentations.
- How does our brain respond to information?
- Survival, social relationships, problem solving – the three filters of the brain
- The STAR method – the key to a successful presentation
- Combining elements of a presentation – linking words in practice
How does our brain respond to information?
To simplify how the brain has developed over time, let’s picture the following situation.
You’re walking up the stairs and hear a loud noise. The first reflexive reaction might be a moment of fear or surprise. Next, you look around to identify what it was. Luckily, it was just your cat knocking over a pot. Nothing to worry about. No biggie.
Survival, social relationships, problem solving – the three filters of the brain
The first moment was the survival instincts kicking in, next was the mid-brain trying to check out what’s up, and finally we had the neocortex, the problem-solving unit, kick in and say “It’s all good.” The evolution of our brains is in parallel with our thought processes and can be simplified to the three: 1st thing is survival, 2nd are our social relationships, and 3rd comes problem-solving. The challenge with pitching is that before our message reaches the neocortex (the problem-solving part) it actually goes through the filter of the survival brain. One possible list of how these filters might look:
1. Ignore it if something is not dangerous.
2. Ignore it if something is not new and exciting.
BUT if it is new then…
sum it up and memorize the general concept, forgetting the details.
3. Do not communicate the message to the problem-solving part of your brain unless the situation is really something special.
The fact that you are trying to communicate e.g. abstract concepts (which inherently means using the neuro-cortex), and they are greeted by these types of survival filters certainly does not help your situation as a presenter.
The STAR method – the key to a successful presentation
So how do we make it past the filters of our audience? The STAR method does this by discussing the: Situation, Task, Action and Result.
How to describe a situation effectively according to the STAR method?
Situation: Here you describe the context or background of the situation you were in. Provide details about the challenges, goals, or circumstances that set the stage for your story. The challenges that you present can trigger a reaction from the audience. Namely, if you provide a relatable context for the audience, you’re navigating through the survival filters.
Examples of functional phrases in sentences:
– “In a recent analysis, it was observed that there is a shift in consumer preferences.”
– “The team is currently working on a project that requires a collaborative effort.”
– “There is a need to enhance the efficiency of our current processes.”
Explain the task – second step in the STAR method
Task: Explain the specific task or objective you were assigned within that situation. Clearly outline what was expected of you and what you needed to accomplish. What are the stakes involved? This is what the audience needs to know if you don’t want to lose them at this stage of the presentation.
– “Our objective is to achieve a measurable improvement in performance.”
– “We are tasked with finding innovative solutions to address the current challenges.”
– “The goal is to optimize our resources to maximize productivity.”
Actions leading to the goal – a key part of the STAR method
Action: Detail the actions you took to address the task or challenge. Describe the steps you took, the strategies you implemented, and the decisions you made to achieve your goals. This is important as it includes problem-solving skills and adaptability.
– “I conducted research to gather relevant data and insights.”
– “We implemented a new system to streamline our workflow.”
– “Collaboration with various departments was initiated to ensure a comprehensive approach.”
The result – how to emphasise the effectiveness of the presentation?
Result: Share the outcome of your actions. Highlight the impact of your efforts, any measurable results achieved, and what you learned from the experience. This underlines the effectiveness of the strategies used. (Source: Gage Martha. The STAR Method Explained: Proven Technique to Succeed at Interview. Amazon Digital, 2019)
– “The initiatives resulted in a significant increase in overall satisfaction levels.”
– “The implementation of new strategies led to a noticeable improvement in outcomes.”
– “As a result of our actions, there was a positive impact on key performance indicators.”
Combining elements of a presentation – linking words in practice
Apart from using such phrases, the key to making the STAR method work effectively is using linking words which will connect all the parts into a logical and coherent whole. Transition words or phrases that connect your ideas such as, “This ties in with” or “subsequently” when used appropriately, will help you create a sequence of events that will motivate your audience to analyze what is being said and to be a part of it.
To learn more about the STAR method and how to implement it, check out our dedicated e-learning course Business Presentations in English – intermediate or Business Presentations in English – advanced.