How successful pitches at Disney spoke to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners.
July 25, 2024
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When idea pitches fail to resonate, it doesn’t always have to do with the merit of the idea, your presentation style, or charisma; the problem could stem from a deeper disengagement in your organization. To make pitches more appealing and increase the chances of ideas resonating, the author recommends engaging three main learning styles that may be in your audience: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Drawing from his experience at Disney, the author uses examples of successful presentations in each style and gives tips on engaging each. For visual learners, use images, charts, and visual aids; for auditory learners, employ compelling narratives, varied tones, and relevant sounds; and for kinesthetic learners, include hands-on elements and physical activities.
Imagine you’re in a meeting, pitching a killer idea you’ve been working on, but it’s like tossing a sparkler into a pool: it fizzles out; no fireworks. The issue isn’t merely a matter of your idea, presentation style, or charisma. It often stems from a deeper problem of disengagement within the organization. In an age where only 33% of workers are engaged, how can you ensure your idea pitches land successfully?
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Duncan Wardle formerly vice president of innovation and creativity at The Walt Disney Company, launched his creative consulting company iD8 & innov8 to help companies embed a culture of innovation and creativity across their entire organization. Duncan spent his 25-year career at Disney developing some of its most innovative ideas and strategies — ideas that would forever change the way the company expands its impact, trains its employees, and solves problems creatively. He has a new book releasing in fall 2024 titled “The Imagination Emporium,” a tool kit that makes innovation accessible, creativity tangible, and the process fun.
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New!
HBR Learning
Presentation Skills Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Presentation Skills. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Inspire your audience with confidence and poise.
