The 2018 Olympics recently wrapped up. I love the Olympics. I tried to watch as much as I could. My favorite part is watching one winner after the next receive their prized gold medal. I try to imagine what that moment must feel like for the winner, standing in front of thousands of people who celebrate my victory. What a rush! Can you even imagine?
I watched the winners bow their heads slightly to receive their medals, then look up and wave at their adoring fans. This moment of recognition is executed flawlessly. The people that organize the Olympics make presenting an award look easy. But, I assure you, planning and executing a once-in-a-lifetime award experience is not as easy as it looks.
I have been giving awards to my employees for 14 years. That totals roughly 140 award presentations throughout my career. Most presentations went well while others have gone terribly. I have learned the hard way that there is a certain technique to presenting an award. There is a way to connect with the winner on stage in an authentic way; saying the right thing at the right time. I have discovered that it takes both authenticity and practice to make a gold-medal award presentation.
I want your award presentations to be meaningful and effective. So I will share with you what I’ve learned – here’s WHAT TO DO and WHAT NOT TO DO.
