How can public speakers use performance evaluations to improve their presentation skills?

1 Why performance evaluations matter

Performance evaluations are not just a formality or a way to judge your performance; they are also a valuable source of information and insight that can help you grow as a speaker. Evaluations can help you understand your audience's needs, expectations, and reactions, while also recognizing your strengths and areas of improvement. You can use them to learn from your mistakes and successes, set realistic and specific goals for future presentations, and track your progress and achievements.

2 How to solicit performance evaluations

There are various ways to solicit performance evaluations from your audience, peers, mentors, or experts. Surveys or questionnaires can be used before, during, or after your presentation to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Interviews or focus groups can be conducted to gather more in-depth and detailed feedback. Additionally, you can observe or record your presentation and review it later to analyze your performance. Tools such as video or audio devices, paper forms, and checklists can be used to capture your presentation and evaluate your performance. Asking open-ended questions and follow-up questions can help explore opinions, perceptions, and suggestions.

3 How to review performance evaluations

Once you have collected performance evaluations, you need to review them carefully and objectively. To begin, organize and summarize your data with charts, graphs, tables, or reports. You can then look for patterns, trends, outliers, and gaps in your data in comparison to your expectations, objectives, and standards. Additionally, use the data to identify your strengths and weaknesses as a speaker. Furthermore, use the feedback to learn from your experience and improve your skills. Positive feedback can reinforce confidence and motivation while constructive feedback can challenge assumptions and suggest improvements.

4 How to act on performance evaluations

After you have reviewed performance evaluations, you need to act on them to improve your presentation skills. Setting SMART goals and planning your actions are two key steps for achieving your goals. You should also identify the resources, support, and tools needed to implement your actions. Additionally, it is important to monitor and evaluate your results by tracking progress and measuring outcomes against goals. Finally, you should solicit feedback again to see if you have improved your performance.

5 How to use performance evaluations as a cycle

Performance evaluations are not a one-time event, but rather a continuous cycle that can help you improve your presentation skills over time. You can repeat the process of soliciting, reviewing, and acting on performance evaluations for each presentation you deliver. Additionally, you can compare your performance evaluations over time to see how you have changed. Furthermore, you should be able to adapt to changes in your audience, context, purpose, or topic by adjusting your goals, actions, and expectations accordingly. You should also seek new or different feedback sources or methods to suit your needs. Lastly, you can try new formats, styles, techniques, or topics and seek new opportunities, audiences, or venues to deliver your presentations to further enhance your presentation skills. With the use of performance evaluations effectively, you can become a more confident, competent, and credible speaker.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?