What’s an actor doing in an analytics program? A lot, actually, and there’s more overlap between the job requirements of these two careers than one might think.
On the surface, it’s difficult to imagine someone who prefers applause and a spotlight sitting in front of a computer beneath fluorescents. I found it tricky to merge those two identities throughout college, and it’s a challenge that I still grapple with as I nail down my brand. Fortunately, creativity comes easily to an artist, and I discovered a new stage: the podium, flanked by two PowerPoint screens.
Public speaking doesn’t stop in an analytical field. In fact, it is more important than ever to refine those skills as a data scientist, because now you must describe numeric facts and figures as eloquently as you might tell a childhood story. A well-labeled graph means nothing if you can’t explain it loud and proud to the SVP of your organization. That’s where studying the techniques of an actor can really boost your performance– their entire job is to convince the audience, with their voices and bodies, that the story they are observing is real.
So, without further ado, I give you: The 7 Rs Behind a Real Story.
1. Rehearse your presentation. Not everyone benefits from a traditional script, and it may cause unnecessary stress to memorize a full 5-10 minute speech. The danger is in rambling– which is something that must be avoided at all costs, lest you risk confusing the audience about your bottom line while boring them simultaneously. If a fully fleshed-out manuscript isn’t your cup of tea, then bullet out your main points per slide, and time yourself as you rehearse your discussion. When you get up on stage, your goal is to sell your message to your audience, not to play a round of improv.
2. Reassure yourself of the work you’ve done. We are our own worst critic; the last thing we need is to doubt ourselves immediately before facing a skeptical audience. If self-confidence does not come easily to you, then think of it as a character that you can play. Some of the loudest, boldest, and best actors I’ve worked with were shy and nervous behind closed doors. The truth that you must remind yourself of is that you were cast in this role for a reason. Someone trusted you to do this project, and you owe it to yourself to speak proudly about the work you have done.
3. Reframe those nervous jitters. The tingling in your hands and the butterflies in your stomach are merely adrenaline. Our body doesn’t care if we’re about to board a thrilling rollercoaster or step into a difficult discussion– the hormonal rush it produces is exactly the same. If you catch yourself thinking about how anxious you are, turn that self-narrative into one of excitement. You’re about to share the insights and implications of a project you’ve likely worked very hard on, so why shouldn’t you be excited? This way, you will focus more on what will probably go right, rather than what may go wrong.
4. Relax the rest of your body. One of the first things a director will tell you is to refrain from stiffening up. In particular, don’t lock your knees if you’re standing, because that will decrease blood flow to your brain and may even cause you to faint. Focus on breathing, because your words will become strained and rushed otherwise. This is easier when you keep your head tilted up towards the audience, which promotes a sense of confidence, supports your vocal projection, and reminds you that you are safe. After all, even if public speaking feels like life or death, I assure you that it is not.
5. Recover gracefully when you misspeak. You will almost certainly make an error at least once during a performance, and that is merely a consequence of being human. Even if your mistake is immediately apparent to the audience, you will not automatically lose their trust as long as you remember the golden rule of acting: the show must go on. An audience becomes distrustful when the speaker calls unnecessary attention to their falter. Instead, let yourself pause, recollect yourself, correct the mistake if able, and carry on. No one will remember a couple trip-ups if the rest of the content was presented well.
6. Rejoice in the applause. Applause is the most immediate feedback one can receive on their performance of any kind. While it isn’t typically informative (unless you earn either a standing ovation or an awkward silence), it is still a reward for all your hard work. For many actors, applause is one of the main reasons they continue their line of work. It is recognition, connection, and catharsis in a handful of moments. Learn to love it, to smile during it, and to chase it closely enough that you no longer dread your next performance.
7. Reflect on your performance. Unlike the last step, this occurs in the quiet of your room, maybe hours after you have delivered your presentation. More than likely, that won’t be your last presentation, and it’s important to identify which “scenes” trip you up most. Was it a particular phrase that choked you up? Did you miss an important transition that threw you off for a slide? Remember, mistakes are what make us human, and the best thing we can do is humble ourselves and learn from them. The beauty of a live show is that the same story is never told in quite the same way again.
Public speaking is one of the trickiest and most crucial skills that a data scientist must work to refine. The first step to success is to stop being scared of it!
Presentations should excite you– it’s the perfect opportunity to be more than a face behind a screen. At the end of the day, data scientists are storytellers, and it is our job to embody our individuality and perspectives to bring those numbers back to life.
Columnist: Grayson Nico