There is so much information and misinformation out there that promises to help you get over your fear of public speaking. But what your colleague might find life-changing leaves you severely underwhelmed. Whilst public speaking is a commonly held fear, we are each afraid for different reasons so the techniques to manage fear should be tailored to your style. Begin with finding your style, then try out some of these techniques to gain confidence.
Style: Logical & Analytical – Interested in facts, outcomes, and the bottom line.
- Establish a clear purpose – Make sure you start your preparation with the end in mind.
- Play devil’s advocate – Consider all the things that could go wrong. Once you have identified the potential risks you will know to avoid them.
- Create a model on a page – To keep yourself on track sketch out the superstructure of your presentation – a plan on a page.
- Leave enough time to prepare – manage nerves by fulfilling your own need to feel ready.
- Pace out your talk –break your presentation down into 1-2 minute blocks in the order that suits your purpose.
- Remove surprises –make sure all your tech is working, if possible run through your talk in the space before the audience arrives.
- Imagine speaking to your best friend – get around worries of being judged by talking to somebody you know likes you already and has your best interests at heart.
- Tell your story – share why the topic matters to you personally so you don’t lose site of your intent.
- Practice democratic eye contact –draw everyone in the room into your orbit, connecting with as many people as you can.
- Maintain your enthusiasm – stay connected to whatever got you excited about the topic in the first place.
- Anchor your ideas – You may have been told that you sometimes wander off on a tangent, remember to connect your points to your central purpose so your audience is able to follow along.
- Go ahead, break the rules – Sometimes the best presentations are those that do not conform to expectations – challenge convention, but respect others’ perspective.
Written by Monica Lunin Source: CEO World
Monica Lunin is a communications expert, speaker and writer based in Sydney Australia. She is the co-owner of MOJOLOGIC, a consultancy that specialises in developing the skills of communication, influence and leadership.
Her fascination with communication can be traced back to school and university when she was an avid debater and public speaker. Her academic pursuits in political science and international relations gave way to a career in business – and the power of persuasion has always permeated her view of the world.