The Elephant In Your Presentation episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 27, 2026 · 5 MIN

The Elephant In Your Presentation

from The Presentation Whisperer Show · host Rob Jolles

Don’t let your call to action become the elephant in the room. Every presentation that asks an audience to buy, change, support, or act can create a certain amount of tension, especially when everyone knows the request is coming. What if you could address that tension before it ever becomes a problem and make your eventual call to action feel more natural? In this quick, five-minute Whisper Shot, you’ll learn how planting a seed for commitment early in your presentation can give your audience time to consider what you’ll be asking of them. You’ll also discover why “What do you expect from me?” can be just as important as “What’s in it for me?” In this quick, five-minute Whisper Shot, you’ll learn: Why most presentations involve some type of commitment from the audience. How the unspoken expectation of that commitment can create tension for both the presenter and the audience. What it means to “plant a seed” for the commitment you’ll eventually ask for. The difference between W.I.F.M. — “What’s in it for me?” — and W.D.Y.E.F.M. — “What do you expect from me?” How foreshadowing your call to action can give your audience more time to consider the commitment. Why addressing the expected commitment early can make your close feel more natural and less stressful. How to point out the “elephant in the room” at the beginning of your presentation—and confidently walk right over to it when you close. To learn more about Rob and his work, visit www.ThePresentationWhisperer.com Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room.Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com.Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 27, 2026

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Don’t let your call to action become the elephant in the room. Every presentation that asks an audience to buy, change, support, or act can create a certain amount of tension, especially when everyone knows the request is coming. What if you could address that tension before it ever becomes a problem and make your eventual call to action feel more natural? In this quick, five-minute Whisper Shot, you’ll learn how planting a seed for commitment early in your presentation can give your audience time to consider what you’ll be asking of them. You’ll also discover why “What do you expect from me?” can be just as important as “What’s in it for me?”

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The Elephant In Your Presentation

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This episode was published on August 27, 2026.

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