Is there a correlation between the number of books read and the quality of presentations created? I dare say there is. The more books on presentations (and related topics) we’ve read, the broader our perspective becomes. The broader our perspective, the easier it is to create an outstanding presentation.
The Curse of Knowledge
Of course, there is a trap—it’s called the curse of knowledge. The curse of knowledge is a cognitive bias where we assume that others possess the same knowledge we do. This can lead to communication problems. Experts in a particular field often fail to realize that their audience might not understand the language or terminology they are using. For instance, when an advertising agency presents a proposal to a client using specialized terms like "SEO" or "lead generation," a client unfamiliar with these concepts may feel lost and decide against working with them.
Nevertheless, the curse of knowledge should not discourage us from reading or delving deeply into any field of knowledge. Let’s dive in—even very deeply—but remember to communicate in a way that adjusts jargon, the level of detail, and the depth of explanation to suit our audience.
The more knowledge we possess, the more options we have to craft our narrative. We gain access to stronger arguments. Finally, we develop greater self-confidence—we know what we’re talking about and that we’re right. This is the absolute foundation of a presenter’s confidence.
Wide Reading vs. Deep Reading
I personally read a lot. Recently, I shared with a friend that in 2024 I read 73 books. For the past few years, I’ve been reading about that many each year. (To clarify, I read in print/ebook form or listen to audiobooks.) My friend replied, “I don’t read that much. I prefer to dive deep into a few books rather than read many superficially.”
Of course, I agree with that approach—there’s no point in reading just to rack up numbers of books read. Nevertheless, it’s worth distinguishing between two reading methods: wide reading and deep reading.
Wide reading involves reading as many books as possible—familiarizing yourself with different approaches, perspectives, and viewpoints.
Deep reading, on the other hand, is less about simply reading and more about repeatedly studying one, two, or a few books in a year—those that seem the best and most helpful for our development. Deep reading, therefore, involves:
Step 1: Reading the book for the first time. If we determine that it’s an exceptionally valuable book, we move on to the following steps.
Step 2: Taking notes on the content.
Step 3: After a few months, reread or listen to the book again.
Step 4: Study your notes and write your own reflections based on the book's content.
Step 5: After another few months, read the book again (this step can be repeated multiple times).
Yes, let the best books not be a fleeting romance. Let’s enter into a serious relationship with them.
How to Read to Present Better?
It’s worth returning to the best books repeatedly. And it’s a good idea to develop a habit that makes revisiting these books easier. For example, I dedicate the transition from December to January each year not to reading new books but to rereading and studying a few of the best books I read during the past year.
Which ones do I recommend this year? First and foremost, Terry Szupłat’s "Say It Well." Its Polish edition will soon be released. This is a particularly special book because it was written by one of Barack Obama’s speechwriters. And Obama—whatever one might say about him—is an undisputed master of communication. It’s well worth exploring the secrets of his mastery.
Additionally, I recommend the following books: "Think Faster, Talk Smarter" by Matt Abrahams, "How to Apologize for Killing a Cat" by Guy Doza, and "Made You Look" by Carmen Simon. From Polish authors, I suggest "Storytalking" by Mirek Urban.
And if you want to elevate your communication and presentation skills to a masterful level, ask us about our Professional Presentations training programs.
Piotr Garlej