CONTEXT IS THE VARIABLE
Andrea Pacini —
World-class violinist Joshua Bell played incognito in a Washington, D.C. subway station. He wore jeans and a baseball cap, standing by a trash bin as he performed some of the most complex pieces ever written.
Over a thousand people walked past. A few stopped. He made $32.
Just days earlier, Bell had sold out a concert hall where tickets cost hundreds of dollars. Same musician. Same music. Different setting – completely different response.
That’s the power of context. And it’s the same with presentations.
Even the best message can fall flat if the context isn’t right. Before you open PowerPoint – or even think about your message – ask yourself:
- Is this one-to-one or one-to-many?
- How many people?
- Is it in person, online or hybrid?
- If it’s online or hybrid, what platform are you using?
- How will you interact with them – chat, Q&A, discussion?
A great presentation in the wrong format can fall flat. One message might resonate in a boardroom – and miss the mark on Zoom.
Joshua Bell didn’t suddenly become a worse musician underground. The setting changed the experience.
Your message is no different. Context shapes how it’s received.
This reflection is adapted from Timeless Presenter, my book on the principles of communication that never expire.