Is the fear of presenting rational or irrational?
You are trembling with fear, your mouth is dry, your palms are sweaty and you are speaking really quickly – all because you have been asked to give a presentation. If this is what you experience and feel, you can be reassured it’s not just you – it is claimed that up to 75% of the population experience some level of anxiety and fear when it comes to speaking in public.
The good news is that everyone can become more confident when speaking in public. Being a good presenter is not just about speaking clearly, it is about learning to connect with your audience and delivering your thoughts, ideas and messages in such a way that your audience both understands what you are saying, and what outcomes you are looking to achieve as a result of giving your presentation.
A great way to boost your confidence is to think of your presentation as an opportunity to tell a story – who doesn’t like a story? By telling stories as a way of delivering the information that is intrinsic to your presentation, you will find your audience engaging (and enjoying) what you are saying in a way data and facts rarely do. Stories can help the presenter turn ‘dry’ information into an experience, and hopefully an unforgettable experience for both the audience and the presenter.
The road to becoming a confident presenter is to develop the right set of skills that helps you control any fears or anxiety when it comes to public speaking. Like any skill, the more you practice, the more confident and assured you will be when faced with presenting to any audience. Confidence is a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it will become to help manage any irrational fear of speaking in public.
