Ditch the Deck: How to Present Like You Actually Want People to Listen
What Weekend Language taught me about storytelling, clarity, and connection.
What This Book Taught Me That School Never Did
Most of us were taught to speak “professionally,” but not how to communicate meaningfully. The authors refer to “weekend language” as the language we use on the weekends where our speech is conversational, simple, clear, and interesting, and we tend to speak in examples, anecdotes, and analogies.
Weekend Language opened my eyes to why so many presentations (especially in public health and nonprofit spaces) fail to connect with audiences. Instead of starting with a compelling story and clear language, we default to slides or presentations packed with technical jargon. And the real cost? Our message doesn’t land. Knowledge doesn’t transfer. And we miss the chance to inspire people to take action.
Key Takeaway #1: Your Slides Are Not the Presentation
We’ve been conditioned to build our presentations starting with PowerPoint. But the authors of Weekend Language argue that the slide deck should come last, not first. Your audience isn't here for bullet points, they’re here for you and there is power in starting with your narrative and then using visuals to amplify it (if needed).
Key Takeaway #2: Storytelling Is a Muscle (And You Need to Work It)
People don’t remember bullet points, but they do remember stories. Stories humanize your message, create emotional connection, and clarify meaning. In fact, when most of us leave a training or meeting, we remember the story and not the agenda. This is true for workshops, keynotes, webinars, convenings, or staff meetings. And like any skill, storytelling takes reps.
Key Takeaway #3: Speak Like You Do on the Weekend
The best communicators break down high-level concepts using clear, conversational language, what the book calls “weekend language.” That means fewer acronyms and more “Here’s what that means…” It means cutting the 10-point strategy slide and telling a story, making it concrete in a way that connects with your audience. If your message can’t pass the “So what? Who cares?” test, it probably won’t land with most adult learners.
What Can You Try Next? Ditch the Deck Exercise
At your next meeting or presentation, challenge yourself (or your team) to lead a 5-minute update without slides.
Try starting with one of these openers:
“Imagine you’re in this situation…”
“Here’s what one of our [insert audience] said last week…”
“What this means for our work is…”
Focus on tone, clarity, and impact and not perfection. Try to shift from being a speaker who presents to someone who connects. Then afterward, ask: What stuck with you the most?
Why This Matters for Impact-Driven Organizations
You don’t need more slides. You need more clarity. For orgs with limited time and big goals, better communication is one of the fastest ways to improve training delivery, energize your audience, and build credibility. At SMART Health Education, we help transform your next training or meeting into something your people will remember: creative, meaningful, and totally stress-free.
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