Lesson: Great presentations aren’t just about information, they’re about psychology.

I used to treat presentations like info dumps: more slides, more data, more charts. The mindset was simple: if I covered everything, something would land. But the truth is, most people only remember the beginning, the end, and how you made them feel in between. In the past, I went down a rabbit hole on presentation psychology and what actually makes things stick. It turns out that our brains aren't wired to absorb more; they're wired to absorb better. So now I build and deliver any pitch, team update, or investor deck not as a data dump, but as a memory exercise. I’ve also started using some of these same principles in everyday conversations, and it’s made me a more intentional communicator overall.

Here’s my tactical breakdown:

• Open strong and close stronger. People remember the first and last thing you say. Everything else is filler if it’s not anchored

• Don’t make people read and listen at the same time. If you’re talking, show visuals that support you, not compete with you

• If audio, pair it with imagery. We process visuals and sound through different channels. Together, they hit deeper

• Cut the fluff. Just because a stat, story, or visual is incredible doesn’t mean it belongs. If it doesn’t move the message forward, kill it

• Group things visually. The brain loves patterns. If your slide design feels random, your message will too

• Use real, familiar language. Present like a human. You’re not trying to sound smart, you’re trying to be understood

I first came across these ideas in Oliver Aust’s LinkedIn post, “7 science‑backed principles for powerful presentations.” For the original breakdown, you can view it here.

Closing Thought

Presenting isn’t about looking polished or showing off your slide game. It’s about making sure your message lands and sticks. When you design for how people actually process information, not how we wish they did, your words carry further. If it matters, make it memorable.

Stick around. I’m just warming up.

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