Sad Face or Smiley Face?

Human beings have emotions. Fact.

You’re having an emotion right now. Fact. What is it?

Emotions are what relationships are all about. Fact. Tell me how that makes you feel.

So if those statements are all correct, why do a huge number of presentations, videos and animations just concentrate on the facts rather than the emotions that those facts represent and then provoke?

As Nancy Slessenger, performance management consultant at Vinehouse Essentials, states in her blog, the worst type of presentation is devoid of emotion and doesn’t even consider them. It’s the sort of dire and meaningless effort that we highlight in our introductory viral here. Emotions pre-date language and we relate to each other based on what the gut feels first and then how the brain decides to interpret that feeling. Emotionless presentations can’t inspire, cajole, intrigue, amuse or encourage anyone to fall in love with you.

New technology, 4G and global access may make better communication possible but it doesn’t guarantee it and can often do more harm than good. Just listing a bunch of facts may be a safe and default option that offends the fewest number of people, but it won’t engage them.

One of the buzz phrases of the 21^st century is ‘emotional intelligence’ and, as the world attempts to learn how to get on better, the ability to communicate becomes quicker rather than easier. As with most things technology driven, the human element needs to play catch up.

Businesses must meet their target audience and engage with them on a one-to-one basis and that doesn’t have to be done in person. If you can take your clients, prospects, employees or business partners through an emotional journey, then they’ll believe that you’re already speaking ‘their language’ and dealing with them individually. If they feel comfortable and confident with you, your job is mostly done.  Fact.

How good does that feel?