---
title: "Pull the plug on PowerPoint"
description: "In the world of training and development there is a silent truth that is rarely spoken out loud: PowerPoint, that faithful companion of every..."
language: en
source: https://thehouseofcoaching.com/en/trek-de-stekker-uit-powerpoint
---

# Pull the plug on PowerPoint

![PowerPoint, that faithful companion of every presenter, is not always the hero we think it is. ](https://thehouseofcoaching.com/media/fa1b2f53b00a9607.webp)

## Unplug PowerPoint

In the world of training and development there is a silent truth that is rarely spoken out loud: PowerPoint, that faithful companion of every presenter, is not always the hero we think it is.

PowerPoint is Slowerpoint!

Imagine this: the lights dim, the projector hums to life, and there appears the first of many slides. As the trainer navigates through the points and charts, and his passion fades, a slumbering trance is cast over the group. The uncertainty of the trainer turns into a monotonous cadence of clicking and reading. It can easily turn an energetic group dynamic into a passive, almost hypnotic state. Where is the room for a lively discussion or the sharing of personal insights? Hidden, perhaps forever, behind the gloss of streamlined bullet points and animated transitions.

But there is more. Because of the rigid structure of a PowerPoint presentation, the training can turn into a meticulously directed script, leaving little room for spontaneity or adapting to the group dynamic.

Every slide takes the trainer a step further down a predetermined path, while the ability to respond to the needs and reactions of the group gets lost in the procedure.

Furthermore, there is a crucial element of human interaction that often gets lost when PowerPoint dominates the stage: non-verbal communication.

In an environment where eyes are constantly fixed on the screen, who pays attention to the subtle, but oh so important, facial expressions, hand gestures and body language?

And then there is the illusion of efficiency. PowerPoint can give the impression of a neatly packaged, all-encompassing learning experience. But real efficiency in training does not come from a file. It comes from interaction, discussion and practical exercises, where participants do not just listen and watch, but also participate and experience.

So, the next time you feel the temptation to reach for that familiar PowerPoint icon, ask yourself the question: 'How can I create an environment where my participants, and not my slides, shine?'

Because ultimately it is their ideas, their interactions and their insights that transform a training from an ordinary presentation into an extraordinary learning experience."

Let the participants shine!

*By Karl Mortier*