The document outlines key strategies for starting a workshop or talk, emphasizing the importance of establishing credibility, making personal connections, and setting clear expectations. It suggests engaging the audience early, creating a safe environment, and maintaining interactivity throughout the session. The document concludes with practical advice on how to shake things up to create an engaging atmosphere.

1. How to start
Photo by Mohammad Jangdo [link]
a workshop or talk
Ed Batista
March 2016

2. Topics
1. It starts before it starts
2. Be credible & safe
3. Make it personal
4. Get to know them
5. Make a deal
6. Orient them
7. Shake things up (gently)

3. 1. It starts
before it starts
Photo by Mohammad Jangdo [link]

4. 1. It starts
before it starts
Photo by Mohammad Jangdo [link]
It starts when you walk in the door
Connect with staff, especially AV/IT
Greet people as they arrive & learn names
We’re all in this together.

5. 2. Be credible
& safe
Introduce yourself
Discuss expertise & credentials
Not to self-aggrandize, but to create safety
It’s OK to trust me; I know what I’m doing.

6. Who am I?
Executive coach
Stanford GSB Instructor & alumnus
HBR.org contributor & www.edbatista.com

7. 3. Make it
personal
Convey your investment
Discuss why the topic matters to you
Identify with the audience & their interests
It’s OK to care about this; I do, too.

8. Why coaching
matters to me
Started as a client
Changed my view of leadership
Impact on hundreds of clients & students

9. 4. Get to know
them
Photo by Peter Morgan [link]

10. 4. Get to know
them
If at all possible, have introductions
In large groups, names may suffice
In small groups, ask for more
I’m interested in you.
Photo by Peter Morgan [link]

11. 4. Get to know
them
Even better, if you can
Know names in advance
Greet everyone by name
I’m really interested in you.
Photo by Peter Morgan [link]

12. Who are you?

13. Photo by U.S. Army [link]
5. Make a deal

14. 5. Make a deal
Photo by U.S. Army [link]
Set expectations & norms
Make a commitment to them
Ask for a commitment in return
This is how we’ll work together.

15. I will…
Give you my best
Take a break
End on time
What else would be helpful for you?
Working
agreements

16. Working
agreements
I ask you to…

17. Working
I ask you to…
Challenge yourself
agreements
Photo by Daniel Oines [link]

18. Working
I ask you to…
Respect
confidentiality
agreements
Photo by Vox Efx [link]

19. Working
I ask you to…
Minimize
distractions
agreements
Photo by Robert S. Donovan [link]

20. Photo by Luz Adriana Villa [link]
Working
agreements
I ask you to…
Wait for the break &
return on time

21. Working
I ask you to…
Challenge yourself
Respect confidentiality
Minimize distractions
Wait for the break & return on time
Can we all commit to this?
agreements

22. Photo by Theresa Thompson [link]
6. Orient them

23. Photo by Theresa Thompson [link]
6. Orient them
Start with an overview
Discuss your process & methods
Then provide a detailed agenda
I’ll help you prepare & manage your energy.

24. Photo by Alex Eflon [link]
Where are we
going?

25. Photo by Chloe Fan [link]
How will we
get there?

26. Photo by Theresa Thompson [link]
Intro & concepts #1 20 mins
Exercise #1 35 mins
Break 5 mins
Concepts #2 20 mins
Exercise #2 30 mins
Closing 10 mins
TOTAL 2 hrs
Agenda

27. 7. Shake things
up (gently)
Photo by Jesse Millan [link]

28. 7. Shake things
up (gently)
Photo by Jesse Millan [link]
After the preliminaries
Open with a stimulating exercise
Get people up, moving, interacting & thinking
This will be different & interesting.

29. Before we get
down to business
Photo by Charles Hutchins [link]

30. Thank you!
Photo by Darwin Bell [link]
More at www.edbatista.com
www.edbatista.com/2015/03/how-to-start-a-workshop-or-talk.html