Presentation Tip: Noodling

In the pace of business, it’s easy to fall for urgency. “We needed that yesterday.” “We have to make a decision now.” Sound familiar? Find out how to inspire smart decision making in your presentations.

As professionals, it’s easy to fall into a rut of fast-paced emergency decision-making. While sometimes you must make snap judgments, there are also times when people need a bit more time.

By allowing time for decision-making and reflection, you may discover a hidden bonus. This kind of foresight often saves time.

Here are a few ways to add ‘noodle time’ to your repetoire.

Allow Time to Step Away

Important decisions often are the result of unstructured reflection. Instead of always moving at a frantic pace, allow more time. Allow time for a natural creative decision-making process to work.

Decisions about big issues happen outside of work-time. You’ve most likely experienced this yourself. You get a great idea while taking a shower. Or going for a walk.

As this tends to be true for many adults, why not include this in your presentation toolbox?

Allow Time to Soak

If ‘stepping away’ sounds too scary, consider ‘soak time.’ This may be a break, a few hours or an alternate activity.

By moving off the topic for a bit of time, the subconscious has time to mull things over. This is a great alternative when you’re working with a room full of decision makers.

Take a break from a decision—for a bit of time. Then, circle back to it after you’ve allowed time to let it rest.

Allow Time To Sleep On It

Whether sleeping on it means overnight or over a few nights, many people find this is a helpful practice. No doubt, it will infuriate the people who want everything signed, sealed and delivered on the spot. However, sleeping on decisions is a spacious way to make sure everyone is comfortable and confident with choices. In addition, in the face of intense decisions, emotions often run high—clouding judgment.

By adding in the power of sleep to a decision-making process, you can count on a number of benefits. People are likely to be more clear headed, less emotionally entangled, and able to make smart decisions.

Noodle time. A wonderful addition to your presentation skill set.