Energy First Presentations

A presentation strategy focused on managing audience energy levels before delivering content, based on the principle that "good decisions come from good energy."

Core Philosophy

• Energy management must come before information delivery
• Physical state impacts decision-making quality
• Interactive formats create better engagement than traditional presentations

Key Elements of Success

Room Setup

• Arrange chairs in a circle instead of traditional rows
• Creates different energy than speaker-audience divide
• Enables everyone to see each other
• Facilitates more interactive discussion

Energy Management Techniques

• Start with physical movement (like push-ups)
• Change audience state within first 15-20 seconds
• Use crowd work to keep people engaged
• Keep participants guessing who might be called on next

Presentation Structure

• Begin with energy shift before delivering content
• Make it interactive rather than one-way communication
• Focus on state change before information transfer
• Use personal stories and audience interaction to maintain engagement

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Starting with heavy or negative content
• Failing to read room energy
• Not adjusting approach based on time of day
• Trying new material without proper preparation
• Bringing down audience energy with downer topics

Implementation Tips

• Read the room's current energy state
• Consider timing of presentation (morning vs end of day)
• Plan specific state-change activities
• Have backup plans for different energy scenarios
• Focus on leaving audience energized rather than drained