Five Ways for Project Managers to Demonstrate Competency in Big Presentations

You get one shot at credibility

A well-prepared communicator demonstrates competence naturally. (Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash)

Credibility isn’t a renewable resource when it comes to professional competence and big decisions. You get one shot. Decision makers will instinctively assess your competence. Their confidence in you erodes if they sense uncertainty, exaggeration, or a lack of depth.

Being well-informed isn’t about memorizing data points or using industry jargon. It’s about demonstrating a clear understanding of the subject.

These are five ways to establish competence.

1. Avoid Jargon — Fancy terminology doesn’t impress if it obscures meaning. Clarity beats complexity every time.
2. Show Experience, Not Just Knowledge — Referencing relevant past situations reassures your audience that you’ve been there before.
3. Set the Context Early — Briefly explain your role and perspective upfront to help frame your insights.
4. Get to the Point — Rambling undermines credibility. Rage to conclude. Make your points in 10 minutes or less.
5. Present Your Background — Provide your background in advance so decision makers can focus on your insights rather than questioning your qualifications.

A well-prepared communicator demonstrates competence naturally through clarity, relevance, and precision.

Trusted advisors inform decision makers. They don’t manipulate or persuade. Your role is to present information fairly, without bias.

You get one shot at credibility. Know what you are talking about, and you’ll be heard.

The elements of the FINESSE fishbone diagram® are Frame, Illustrate, Noise reduction, Empathy, Structure, Synergy, and Ethics. Communicating with FINESSE is a not-for-profit community of technical professionals dedicated to being highly effective communicators and facilitators.