Your Speaking Nerves: They're Not About You

Phil and Michael preparing for next year

Phil and I have just returned from the National Speakers annual convention.

Phil was emcee in many of the breakout rooms and it was my first convention in the role of  National President.

My first engagement was to give the welcome speech on opening night; a high stakes presentation in front of industry peers and heavyweights. In short, there was much riding on that speech.

Later that night a new speaker, Mark, asked me if I still got nervous. In a word, yes. Especially at high stakes events like these.

Judging from the most often asked questions from our clients, many of us experience nerves in our work, our own business, and in the wider community.

As Phil and I say in workshops, webinars and coaching, the only thing more concerning than getting nervous is not being nervous. Why? Nerves are your friend; there to remind you that this matters.

Three simple steps for conquering nerves.

1. Adjust your mindset. Sir Anthony Hopkins says, 'get over yourself.' We say 'adopt a winning mindset from the moment you choose to present.' Keep working to put that mindset in action by getting to know your message and your audience, then writing your content well in advance, and getting feedback from people you trust; people who also understand your target market. One of the first people that saw my speech the other night was Phil, and the tweaks he suggested made a true difference.

2. Look for opportunities to exceed their expectations. Whether that's in the way you structure your content, give your delivery. Give them what they want with your unique twist. That way, you've not only given them what they want, but also built into your presentation ways to delight them. Better for your audience's experience, and definitely better for you.

3. Rehearse, rehearse, adjust. Last week during my presentation there was a technical glitch with my slides right at the beginning of the presentation that was beyond my control. Slides were pivotal to this presentation, and I thought we might have to go on without them.

Technology can take a while to catch up with us sometimes.

We need to make decisions on the fly and not let nerves get in the way of the audience's experience. I made the call to go on without those slides, then saw the technicians had fixed them and away we went. What made the difference was rehearsing right up until an hour beforehand, taking the opportunity to get on stage in the room and with the equipment. It gave me familiarity with room, technicians and the technology. Then, if even the best laid plans do go awry, you can trust your preparation, and adjust when and where you need to.

The key message here is to recognise nerves, but not  indulge them. Know they're there, but keep focused on the task at hand, trust your preparation, keep rehearsing and refining, but most of all, remember that this is not just about you and what you have to convey, your presentation is about serving your audience and giving them the best experience possible.

To find out more about the ways in which we can support you simply contact support@presentability.com.au. 

Until next time, keep practicing your presentability, 

Phil Preston & Michael Neaylon
FOUNDERS & DIRECTORS

On behalf of the presentability team

presentability.com.au