Leader, Teleprompted: Why Executives Must Master the Machine

The Business Case to Master the Machine

As an executive, you’re called upon to deliver important messages to your organization and the marketplace. People look to you to set the tone in public speaking. You want to come across as a strong leader, but natural. To complicate matters, your busy schedule doesn’t allow a minute to spare.

That’s why you need to master the Teleprompter.

Man and machine are converging in today’s media-centric world. If you’re a leader, you’re now a broadcaster. Or at least a narrowcaster with consequences. Soon, you’ll be called upon to record crisp messages for both your organization’s intranet and the broader Internet.

Here’s the rub: You’ve seen enough politicians reading prompters poorly that you have a skewed perception of how they work. You don’t want that deer-in-the-headlights display that you’ve noticed. No zigzagging of your head as you lock and load the words from the mirrored devices.
It doesn’t have to be that way. I’ve dedicated the last decade to transforming leaders into influencers. Prior to that, I spent 20-plus years mastering Teleprompters in the television news industry. I’m here to make the case that by applying the following three steps, you can master the prompter. It will improve your executive presence and make delivering key messages faster. Bolder. More influential.

Step One: Convert from Typed Word to Spoken Word

1. Practice with a paper script first. Record the audio on your phone.
2. With a highlighter pen in hand, listen back to the recording and mark the words that you
   should emphasize. Don’t be surprised by how you off base your first reading sounds.
3. Some sentences are probably too long. Convert them into shorter ones. This simple act is
   very powerful.
4. Record the script again emphasizing the newly highlighted words. Listen without the
   script in front of you to experience the message like your audience will. Is it crisp enough? Bold enough? If not, tweak the script and record it one last time.

Step Two: Maximize the Machine

1. The prompter operator gets involved here. He or she should make the script changes that you want in the prompter software.
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2. Have the operator build the word (PAUSE) in all caps around key messages. This will give you control, helping you appear natural. It prevents you from being led by the machine.
3. Check the font size – is it optimal for you? The smallest you can handle will fit more text on the screen. This will help ensure that words don’t fly off the screen too fast for you.
4. Choose an accent color for keywords. You could also make them stand out in occasional italics or ALL CAPS for words you want to emphasize.

Step Three: Optimize your Delivery

1. The only way to appear natural is if you feel in control of the script.
2. Coordinate a hand signal with the operator to adjust the speed if needed. I use palm up for
   faster, and palm down for lower. Whatever works best for you.
3. Gesture naturally to optimize your vocal variance and pace. Quiet your lower body below
   the waist so your head doesn’t slip out of the camera frame.
4. Ask the camera operator to adjust the camera to your eye level. That will prevent you
   from looking haughty or sleepy-eyed.

Reading a prompter is nuanced. But once you master the machine with these three steps, you’ll deliver a message with maximum impact. You’ll save time and lower stress for everyone involved. Your message will be bolder, crisper, and delivered to your audience with the thought and care that it deserves.