A Talk Without a Screen

Simon had worked in the company for two years, but he had never spoken in front of the whole team. When his boss asked him to give a short talk about his project, he said yes. Later that evening, he was not so sure.

For a week he practised every night. He prepared twenty pages for the screen, with pictures and numbers, and he learned the first few sentences by heart. His sister had to listen to them so often that she could say them too.

On the day of the meeting, about thirty colleagues were waiting in the big room. Simon connected his laptop to the screen, said "Good morning" and pressed the first key. Nothing happened. The battery was empty, and he had left the charger at home.

For a moment he wanted to run out of the room. Then he closed the laptop, took a pen and walked to the white board on the wall. He drew three boxes and explained the project with them, step by step. While he was talking, people started to ask questions, and he answered them.

After the meeting, his boss came over. "That was the best talk this month," she said. "Nobody looked at their phone." On the way home Simon thought about the twenty pages. Maybe next time he would only need three boxes.

Simon worked in the company for two years. But he never spoke in front of the whole team. One day his boss asked him to give a short talk about his project. He said yes.

For a week he practised every night. He made twenty pages for the screen, with pictures and numbers.

On the day of the meeting, thirty people were in the big room. Simon put his laptop on the table and said "Good morning". Nothing happened. The battery was empty.

For a moment he wanted to run away. Then he took a pen and went to the white board. He drew three boxes and explained the project with them. People asked questions, and he answered them.

After the meeting, his boss said: "That was a very good talk. Nobody looked at their phone." Simon was happy. Maybe next time he only needs three boxes.