How To Overcome Fear & Nerves And Do Successful Presentations
Do You Dread That 'Pit Of The Stomach' Feeling When The Boss Asks You To Do A Presentation?
Marilyn called me first thing on a Monday morning. She sounded stressed and anxious! Soon it became clear as to why she was feeling that way. Here's her story. It might be one you can relate to.
Her boss has just walked out of her office in Bristol. And their unexpected visit had left Marilyn with an awful sinking feeling, deep in the pit of the stomach. She said it felt like it was history repeating itself.
I asked her if she would elaborate.
Marilyn was stressed and as a result calling me, because the boss had asked her to do a presentation at next months annual Company Conference in Birmingham. Actually, not asked. More like told her she was doing it!
And it instantly brought back painful memories of last years conference.
I invited her to tell me more about that conference.
She paused, sighed deeply, took a deep breath, then explained. ''What a disaster that was! Why have they asked me again? Is it because no one else will do it?
Last years conference...sure - people were polite to my face. And the feedback was sort of ok. But I knew that I put the audience to sleep. A heavy lunch - then me! Who scheduled that?
All those Powerpoint slides. Masses of small unreadable details. Which I just read straight off the slides. In a dull voice. What was I thinking of? It was the sort of monotonous presentation I hate to sit through myself.
Then in the evening at a company social, I overheard some of the guys from sales talking at the bar as I waited for drinks. They were laughing. At me. Belittling my presentation. Saying how good it was to catch up on some sleep after a late night! I was so embarrassed''.
So why do you think your presentation was so ineffective, I enquired?
Marilyn admitted to not really knowing why. I made some suggestions. Was it?...
- Over-preparation?
- Fear of leaving something 'important' out, in case someone in the audience might think you weren't an expert?
- Making sure you filled the time slot with slides, to eliminate the possibility of anyone asking you a question you might not know the answer to?
She said that is was probably a combination of all three. ''Yet I know more about my job than anyone in the organisation. I'm supposedly an expert. I've been in my role for twelve years''.
''And now I have to go through it all again. The sleepless nights. The hours staring at the computer, trying to make sense of my jumbled thoughts. The endless worry about what people will think and say about me. Help!''
So that was my introduction to Marilyn, and her Company Conference challenge. And it's a familiar story...
Surely It Doesn't Have To Be This Way?
Being asked to make a speech or presentation can cripple a person's confidence. The very thought of it often instills more fear than making the speech itself.
For many under-confident speakers, the fear is because suddenly, you, are the centre of attention.
Fear of public speaking and presenting is reported to be the number one anxiety in adults across the world. And the root of this unease and anxiety, is triggered by how the presenter thinks of themselves in relation to the audience.
Doing A Presentation
Let's Make The Powerpoint Slides Simpler!
So a week later Marilyn and I began our first session on Skype. She was less stressed than when we spoke earlier. But I could see that the thought of doing a presentation at conference, was about as attractive as a visit to the dentists.
Firstly we explored what the core messages were of her presentation. Then we put some simple Powerpoint slides together, that captured the essence of her message. Simple, clean slides. Not cluttered with minute unreadable detail.
Then we analysed Marilyn's fears. Especially her fear of the three-hundred strong conference audience.
- Her fear of being criticised
- Of being judged
- The fear of being found to be not good enough
- Found wanting as 'an expert'
Do you recognise those feelings yourself?
Marilyn explained that she felt very self-conscious when she did a presentation. And that she experienced a strong pressure to perform; to meet the expectancy of the audience.
She also revealed that in the spotlight, she felt open to scrutiny. And so, in an act of self-protection, becomes defensive about her presentation.
In a one on one, or small group situation, a presenter can adjust what they are saying to meet the responses of the individual/s and make sure their personal needs are addressed.
In a speech to conference, the audience becomes a mass. And so you can easily lose that individual, intimate one-on-one relationship.
You sub-consciously credit the audience with wielding a lot of power. But curiously the audience don't feel that power. The audience consists of individuals seeking either more knowledge, learning and insights. And your job is simply to pass on your expertise to them!
Note: Marilyn asked if she could see some of the Powerpoint slides from some of my own presentations.
Here are some of the ones from my Twelfth Player seminar:the-twelfth-player-slides-for-website.pptx
And Then Onto The Delivery...
Marilyn and I spoke on Skype numerous times before the Conference. Once we had condensed her core message into ten simple slides, we worked on her delivery.That is:
- Her Rhythm
- Use Of Language
- Tone And Projection Of Voice
The day before Conference, I called Marilyn to check in with her, to see how she was doing. To her total surprise, she admitted to being both relaxed and looking forward to her presentation. For the first time ever, she felt she had a presentation to deliver that she actually liked.
At five o'clock the next day I got a text from Marilyn. It said 'Thanks for everything! Unbelievable! It went amazingly. I didn't want it to end'.
When we spoke next, Marilyn told me that, yes, she was a little nervous before the presentation, but underneath the nerves she had a feeling of confidence. Confidence born out of knowing that she had a presentation she trusted and believed in.
The feedback she got from delegates was both enthusiastic and genuine. And when she opened a bootle of wine at dinner that evening, Marilyn knew that she had finally broken through her anxiety.
Marilyn's story is not unique to her. It's a very common scenario. Do you have to do a presentation that you are dreading? Remember- it doesn't have to be that way!
The Top Four Things The Presentation Coaching Will Do...
So - If, like Marilyn, you are dreading having to do a presentation, help is on hand.
Here's some of what we will work on, to ensure you do a fantastic, enjoyable presentation:
- Guiding you through the psychological minefield of how to think about the audience.
- Help you create dynamic slides that capture the essence of your core message
- Learning the vital skills of language, tone, rhythm and projection that form the foundation of great delivery
- Learning how to relax both in advance and during the presentation.
By the end of the process, you will be looking forward to your presentation with a quiet enthusiasm and sense of calm. What would that be like for you?
Who Is It For?
The programme will be of benefit to both individuals and leaders and managers at all levels of the organization, especially:
- Those who feel anxious or uncomfortable, when they learn that they will present in front of others.
- People who attempt to avoid giving presentations, if they can get out of doing them.
- Sensitive people who worry that others will criticise them, when they make presentations.
- Those who are afraid to let others see that they feel fear and vulnerability.
- The more nervous type, who worry that they will dry up when they make a speech.
- Experts who feel that they will lose credibility, if they make an ineffective speech.
- People who worry that others will ask them questions that they can't answer.
I Will Be In Your Corner!
We can work on any aspect of your communication skills or presentation that needs transforming. My wish is to get you enjoying your presentations again.
I will be helping you develop simple, but hugely effective strategies, to get you back on track. From creation to delivery, I will be there to support you. And the good news is that all of this work can be done on Skype.
So if you get the feeling, your success depends on my sort of Leadership Coaching, I strongly urge you to act now. I will be in your corner every step of the way, as we take your presentations to a new level.
How Much Will It Cost To Do A Great Presentation?
The cost of helping you take your presentation through to the delivery stage is normally £395. However, the good news is at the moment I am running an amazing offer of £245, if you book before March 31st.
This offer will only last until the end of March, and then the price will revert to £395. That's a massive saving of £150 if you book before the end of the month.
So, if you have been thinking of getting help with your presentations, then its best to act as soon as possible, if you want to save yourself £150.
Now is the time to stop the suffering and finally give yourself permission to enjoy the experience of doing a great presentation. Before the moment passes.
The offer closes midnight March 31st. I am based in England, but can work with you wherever you are in the world.
Normally my clients and I arrange to work together on Skype, as that allows us to develop the body language aspect of delivery, as well as working on the presentation details. The cost of the work allows for unlimted number of Skype based sessions.
Note: Some presentation gurus charge £15,000 to solve the problems you are experiencing. And demand that you sign a yearly contract. If you work with me there are no contracts. I simply solve your problem.
Call Me Now!...
So, either call me on my personal mobile - 077897 56425. Tell me your situation, in complete confidence. From talking to me, you will quickly get an idea of how I can help.
Or if you prefer, fill in the form below. Please write a response to each of the questions, then send it to me using the 'Start Coaching' button at the end of the form.
You will then receive a call or email from me, to arrange a time to talk. By the end of this initial conversation, I firmly believe that you will start to see light at the end of the tunnel.
Remember - you could wait and hope that by magic, your become a better presenter. But experience tells me that rarely happens.
The sooner we get started, the faster you will be on track to enjoying your presentations.
So: Either fill in the form below, or call me: 077897 56425
Martin Perry - Leadership Coaching: 077897 56425
