Every time I direct a seminar on Presentation Skills for
corporations, government agencies, banks, hospitals and other
groups, I begin by talking about Stage Fright—because I know
that’s the number one concern speakers feel.
Among the tips I share about stage fright, this may be the most
helpful one: Make the right choice.
You see, speakers have three choices when they stand up to speak.
First, they can focus on themselves entirely. Their self-talk
goes something like this:
“What if they don’t like me?”
“Did I wear the right outfit, or is this too informal?”
“Sometimes I stammer when I get excited. That could happen right
now.”
“Are they paying attention, or do they seem distracted?”
All right, what’s the result of this choice?
Every mistake becomes magnified in importance. We get so wrapped
up in performance that we forget what we want to achieve.
“Paralysis by analysis” turns us into robotic reciters, not
speakers.
The speaker’s second choice: Focus on the audience
To begin with, change your opinion about audiences. Too often we
think of an audience as a room full of critics, ready to analyze
our every word and gesture. Really, though, the vast majority of
listeners are not critics—they are your cheerleaders. They want
you to succeed. They are glad you are the one up there speaking,
not them. From experience, they know how uncomfortable an event
is for everyone involved if the speaker fails.
Then pick out the most responsive listeners as soon as you can.
They are easy to find. They are attentive, usually smiling and
physically alert. Their supportive nonverbal communication
elevates your confidence. Look at them frequently to draw
strength from their feedback.
Involve the audience when you can. Today’s audiences don’t want
to be passive. Even in my convention keynote speeches, I ask
participants to shake hands, raise their hands, stand up and
stretch or carry out brief assignments as partners.
Your third choice: Focus on the message.
Haven’t you noticed that when you are genuinely involved in your
message, when you are determined to persuade others about your
conviction, that speaking changes from a chore to a privilege?
Your creativity increases, and you come up with catchy word
combinations you had not planned. Your adrenalin flows, and you
become animated on the platform. You are not preoccupied with
the impression you are making. Yet, amazingly, you become more
impressive than ever.
Now then, which of these three choices have you usually made when
you face an audience? If you have selected the first option, you
have made yourself highly susceptible to Stage Fright. On the
other hand, when you focus on your audience (as a friendly,
receptive group of people who want you to succeed) and your
message (as a deeply held conviction you can hardly wait to share
with others), you will feel competent, confident and committed.
That’s when speaking becomes exciting and productive.
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