Recently, out of the blue, I was contacted by an individual suffering mightily from the malady commonly referred to as “stage fright.”  As happens to many business leaders, this person had been called upon to prepare an important presentation related to her work, but as the appointed time approached, her anxiety and stress levels were growing exponentially. 

This lady had heard me speak and was aware that I had been speaking professionally for many years.  Therefore, she assumed that I must have discovered the secret elixir to conquering stage fright.  Or as she put it, “Phil, I can’t imagine that after all these years you still get nervous before you speak.  Otherwise you would have worried yourself to death by now!”

Before we get too far into this, let’s get a couple of things straight.  First, the ability to communicate well is one of the most—if not THE most—critical elements of professional success.  Passion, expertise, knowledge, experience are all valuable assets to possess. However, if an individual is unable to communicate effectively that passion, expertise, knowledge, experience, the person is essentially sabotaging his or her prospects for long term success. 

Secondly, despite what some people may think, EVERYONE gets (pick one) nervous, anxious, stressed, butterflies on various occasions when called upon to present in public. Communication is a learned skill.  We begin learning to communicate when we are born and hopefully we don’t stop learning to communicate until we are dead. 

So, contrary to what this woman may believe, after more than 2,700 public presentations I still feel the occasional pangs of pre-presentation panic.  But at those times, I don’t crawl into bed, curl up in a fetal position and pull the covers over my head—all the while wishing I would have married into money.  Instead, I remember the four lessons I’ve learned to deal with such situations…and then I move forward with confidence.

Lesson # 1: Preparation

I have learned that on those occasions when the stress of presenting in public begins to build within me, more often than not, it’s because I haven’t prepared well enough. Remember, as a presenter, there are many things you cannot control.  But the one thing you have ultimate control of is your level of preparation.  You absolutely must know “your stuff.”  Public or business presentations are never a time to “wing it.” 

So, my advice is to prepare and practice.  Prepare what you want/need to communicate and then practice accordingly.  If you feel more comfortable using notes, then use them. However, your written notes should contain key words only—not long detailed thoughts. These thoughts should be just enough to keep you on track or to get you back on track should you wander away temporarily. 

But, here’s the cool thing.  If you “stand up, step up and speak up” on a topic for which you are well prepared, your confidence level will be apparent to not only your self, but also your audience members.  Remember the Boy Scout motto:  Be Prepared.

Lesson # 2: Set the Stage

As the time quickly approaches to shift from preparation to actual presentation, I encourage you to consider specifically how you want the presentation to unfold.  Many of you will be speaking in conference rooms, break rooms, possibly even auditoriums of some sort. Whatever the venue, familiarize yourself with it BEFORE time for you to present. 

Is the room set most effectively for your purposes?  Is the temperature comfortable?  Do you know how to control the sound and light?  Will your computer work in this environment?  Are you sure?  Do we have enough chairs—or too many?  Are my handouts ready and available?  Don’t trust others to set the stage for you.  Remember, most people simply haven’t considered these types of things relative to your presentation. Therefore, if you need something specific done you need to ask for it specifically—or just do it yourself. 

I try to get into the room in which I will be speaking quite some time before the audience members.  This time allows me to check the items above, while giving me the time to mentally go through my presentation in the very environment in which it will soon unfold.

Lesson # 3: Make Yourself At Home

One of the most important relaxation techniques I have learned when speaking to familiar or unfamiliar audiences, is to imagine that these are friends that I have invited in to my home. I assume they are there because they are interested in what I have to say.  Therefore, I try to keep the concepts simple and straightforward.  I look at them directly.  I ask questions. I listen to and respond to their reactions.  In other words, I act in similar ways as if this was a one-on-one conversation with a friend or colleague. 

And guess what?  If and when I make a mistake in my presentation, it’s not a big deal if it is among friends.  I apologize for the mistake, correct it, laugh it off and move on.  If you treat people (your audience like friends) they will begin to act that way. 

Lesson # 4: Be Yourself

The final piece of advice I have for you to manage those nerves and the stage fright they can create is to be yourself.  How many times have you noticed someone in a presentation role act in some formal, stilted, unnatural way?  You know that cannot be their normal way of communicating.  As a result, you become uncomfortable with and for them.

I have learned that I am most at ease in front of people when I am simply being myself. If I think of a story that will illustrate the point of my presentation, I tell it.  If I feel too confined behind the lectern, I move out from behind it.  If something funny happens in the room—planned or unplanned—I laugh, thereby giving others in the room unspoken permission to do the same.  I come to the platform well prepared for my presentation, yet I embrace spontaneity and the hidden treasurers that lay waiting to be discovered.

When others see you being yourself, it frees them to relax and be themselves as well. That’s a good thing to relieve tension at every angle. 

Conclusion

These were a few of the hints I offered the young woman who was fearfully approaching her upcoming presentation.  I trust they helped her—and will help you, too.  After all, your success as a leader will be in direct proportion to your success as a communicator.