What do you do if you want to improve your presentation skills through constructive criticism?

1 Ask for feedback

The first step to get constructive criticism is to ask for it. You can do this before, during, or after your presentation, depending on the context and the purpose. For example, you can ask your audience to fill out a survey or a feedback form, or you can invite them to ask questions or share their opinions. You can also ask your peers or mentors to observe your presentation and give you their insights. When you ask for feedback, be clear about what aspects of your presentation you want to improve, such as your content, structure, delivery, or visuals. This will help you get more relevant and specific feedback.

2 Listen and learn

The second step to get constructive criticism is to listen and learn from it. This means that you should be open-minded, respectful, and curious about the feedback you receive, even if it is not what you expected or wanted to hear. You should avoid being defensive, dismissive, or argumentative, as this will only damage your relationship with your feedback provider and prevent you from learning. Instead, you should thank them for their time and effort, and ask them to clarify or elaborate on their points if you need more information. You should also try to identify the positive and negative aspects of your presentation, and the reasons behind them.

3 Act on feedback

The third step to get constructive criticism is to act on it. This means that you should use the feedback you receive to improve your presentation skills for the future. You should not take the feedback personally or let it affect your confidence, but rather see it as an opportunity to grow and develop. You should also not try to implement all the feedback at once, but rather prioritize the most important and relevant ones, and set realistic and measurable goals for yourself. You should also practice your presentation skills regularly, and seek more feedback as you progress.

4 Give feedback

The fourth step to get constructive criticism is to give it. This means that you should also offer constructive criticism to others who are looking to improve their presentation skills. Giving feedback is not only a way to help others, but also a way to improve your own skills, as it helps you to develop your analytical, communication, and interpersonal abilities. When you give feedback, you should follow the same principles as when you receive it: be specific, honest, and helpful, and focus on the performance rather than the person. You should also balance your feedback with praise and encouragement, and respect the feedback receiver's preferences and goals.

5 Seek diversity

The fifth step to get constructive criticism is to seek diversity. This means that you should not limit yourself to one source or type of feedback, but rather seek a variety of perspectives and opinions from different people and platforms. For example, you can seek feedback from your colleagues, clients, supervisors, or friends, or from online forums, blogs, or courses. You can also seek feedback from people with different backgrounds, experiences, and expertise, as they may have different expectations and criteria for your presentation. Seeking diversity will help you to gain a broader and deeper understanding of your presentation skills, and to avoid biases and blind spots.

6 Review and reflect

The sixth step to get constructive criticism is to review and reflect on it. This means that you should not just collect and act on feedback, but also evaluate and learn from it. You should review the feedback you receive regularly, and compare it with your own self-assessment and goals. You should also reflect on how the feedback has helped you to improve your presentation skills, and what challenges and opportunities you still face. You should also celebrate your achievements and acknowledge your progress, and appreciate the value of constructive criticism for your personal and professional development.

7 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?