If you’ve ever sat through a presentation that started with “Here’s the agenda,” you already know the feeling.
Your attention drops.
Your curiosity disappears.
Your brain checks out.
And here’s the hard truth: if you do that as a presenter, you’ve probably lost your audience for good.
Why Starting With the Agenda Fails
An agenda gives people a preconceived notion of what’s coming—and once that happens, curiosity disappears. When people think they already know where you’re going, they stop listening.
Hollywood figured this out a long time ago.
The Hollywood Lesson
When a new movie is released, do critics get the script before the premiere? Of course not.
Why?
Because knowing the story ahead of time ruins suspense.
Think about watching a movie after reading the book. How often are you disappointed? The surprise is gone. The emotional journey is spoiled.
Presentations work the same way.
Suspense Creates Engagement
Instead of starting with structure, start with intrigue.
Ask a question that opens a loop:
- “How many of you would like to learn something in the next 10 minutes that could change your life?”
- “What if everything you believe about this topic is backwards?”
- “What’s costing you the most money right now—and you don’t even see it?”
Now people are curious.
Now they’re engaged.
Now they’re leaning in.
You can roll out the agenda later—once they’re invested.
The Real Goal of an Opening
The first 10 seconds aren’t about information.
They’re about attention.
If you win attention, you earn the right to teach.
Final Thought
Don’t lead with structure.
Lead with curiosity.
Keep them guessing—then guide them.
Try it. It works.
