Is your presentation a wave or a particle?
What if it were both?
In the quantum world, light behaves in strange ways. Sometimes it appears as a wave. Other times, as a particle. It all depends on how you look at it.
This is the principle of wave–particle duality: two opposite natures coexisting in the same element.
A tension that cannot be resolved and yet, it works.
A strong presentation is built on solid content, yes. But also on subtle vibrations: pauses, atmosphere, emotional tension.
🧱 A presentation that is “only particle” might greet you with slides full of bullet points and figures. Everything is explained… but nothing is felt. The audience listens, but they don’t connect.
🌫️ A presentation that is “only wave,” on the other hand, might wrap you in bold visuals, poetic phrases, and emotional tones. The form is there. The emotion is there. But there’s no data to back it up — nothing to give weight or credibility to what’s being said. In the end, it feels like something beautiful… but hard to use, and easy to forget.
🎤 A few weeks ago, I worked on a presentation for an international client. Their message was strong, the content was there, but it was told in the same way from beginning to end. Slide after slide. Bullet after bullet. Everything was accurate. Everything was clear. And yet… nothing happened.
So we worked on the “wave.” → We changed the opening. → Added a real, human story. → Brought rhythm back into the narrative. We didn’t cut the data. We simply gave it a form that could resonate.
And the difference was clear. It could be felt.
🧠 To me, working on presentations means helping ideas find their right form, to be both information and emotion, particle and wave.
Like in quantum physics, it’s not about choosing between two things. It’s about embracing the duality. Because the best presentations always hold both.
And you? In what form is your next presentation travelling?
Want to bring wave and particle together in your next presentation?
Here are 3 practical tips:
Start with a spark. Open with something human: a question, a short story, a surprising fact. This sets the emotional tone and invites connection.
Ground every message with something concrete. Emotion moves, but data anchors. For every idea you present, ask yourself: What supports this?
Design for rhythm, not just structure. Don’t just line up slides — create a tempo. Alternate tension and release, silence and statement, visuals and voice.
This article is part of Quantum Presentations: a series exploring how ideas from quantum physics can elevate storytelling, communication, and presentation design.
Curious to bring more clarity, emotion
and intention into your communication?
Discover how I support brands and leaders in crafting stories that move people.