Dear Ammar,
I have an embarrassing problem: When asked to speak in front of a group of people I turn into a wreck; I start sweating, trembling, my sound becomes squeaky, and my heart feels like it is going to bounce right out of my chest. This has caused me problems at work. I do not seem to be able to get my point across in meetings or when I am making presentations. Management does not let me present to clients because they are afraid I will not impress. They do not say it directly, but they often overlook me when they need someone to present in front of the client. I feel this is getting in the way of my career development. What can I do to solve this problem?
Y B
Dear Y,
You are not alone. Research shows that most people fear public speaking more than anything else in the world. Even actors with tens of years of experience get “stage freight” every time they stand on a stage. The fear you are feeling is absolutely normal.
There are things you can do to solve the problem. Remember that most require practice, so give things time to work and do not expect the fear to disappear all of a sudden.
There are many books out there that discuss public speaking and provide tips on how to overcome nervousness while presenting. A classic best seller in this regard is Carnegie’s book: “The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking.” It is a great reference on the subject, written in simple language with many nice examples.
There are simple things you can do that will go a long way to improve your ability to conquer your fear. Be prepared for your presentation by researching your subject, understanding your audience, and rehearsing your presentation. Rehearse alone and then rehearse in front of friends and family.
When it is time for the presentation, it is normal to feel a bit nervous, but that is a good thing. Nervousness will create a physical reaction in your body that will help you to be alert and ready to present. Tell your self that your nervousness is normal, but you are well prepared for the presentation.
When you start your presentation, make sure you are standing erect, looking confident. Some write the first few introductory sentences on a queue card and hide it in the palm of their hand. No one will notice the card and it will help you get past the first few sentences, which might be just enough to give you a jumpstart into presentation. When you speak, let the voice come out from your gut, not your throat. This might sound strange, but it will give you deep confident voice that is less affected by your nervousness. It will also give you confidence when feeling the strength of your voice resonating from your stomach to your throat and out. It takes some practice to eventually master this technique.
Think positive thoughts when presenting. Remember that your audience are not there to judge you but to hear what you have to say. They will not notice your nervousness as much as you do. So, speak slowly, with a calm voice, and smile; it will give audience the feeling that you are confident in what you are saying. Get engaged immensely in your presentation and the subject you are presenting, which will make your talk more interesting. As for the sweating, wear light comfortable clothes, and reduce the room temperature a bit if you can.
When asked to speak in meetings, focus on the question being asked, not the people in the room. Pause and take a deep breath before speaking. That will give you time to think about the question and will make you sound stronger when you speak. If the question was not clear, ask for further explanation. If you do not know the answer, it is OK to say I do not know. That is much better than blabbing nonsense. Speak slowly and do not rush words out of your mouth. Watch out for distracting or annoying sounds you might be making out of habit like “uh”, “um”, “eh”. Or repeating certain words in every sentence, like saying “you know,” “like,” or “right?” Say just enough words to make your point. Do not repeat yourself.
Speaking in public is a skill that needs time and practice. The more you practice the better you will get. Keep at it and you will do just fine. Good luck.
Regards,
Ammar