It’s Not How Confident You Feel It’s How Confident You Appear …

When any of us need to make an important presentation or speech we will go through many different feelings beforehand. Depending on how far outside our comfort zone the particular event is, these feelings can range from excitement, through mild apprehension, past seriously worried, to outright dread. In trying to get control of one’s nerves people will use many different emotion regulating techniques, like relaxation, breathing, even medication, but actually a far more effective technique is to change the point of focus. Rather than concentrating on feelings concentrate on appearances because that is what the audience is using as their reference point. Below are some useful reminders.

1. Do you look confident? Wear something that makes you feel good about yourself. Be careful of something brand new, because you don’t know it ‘works’ until you’ve worn it at least once. Dress to meet (not exceed) people’s expectations. We only get distracted by peoples’ dress when it is inappropriate.
   
2. Do you sound confident? Learn your opening really well so you can concentrate on establishing a connection. Look at your audience, meet their eye, remember they are delighted its you and not them. No audience wants a presenter to fail, or to be embarrassing; they are willing you to succeed, so they can relax and not worry on your behalf.
   
3. The audience won’t be analysing your feelings simply the content of what you are delivering and how effectively you are putting it over. Never admit to being nervous, it makes them nervous, and you lose authority.
   
4. Don’t be frightened to laugh at yourself. Self-deprecating humour is the most powerful of rapport building techniques. This approach is much more effective than joke telling (unless you’re a comedian).
   
5. Master your environment as much as possible. Whether that’s computers, projectors, lighting, temperature, sightlines, giveaways etc. make sure as much as possible is under your control. If managed professionally they are not even noticed, but simply merge into the background, allowing people to focus on the content of your presentation.

Obsessively focusing on the visible aspects of your presentation will take the mind away from thinking about how you feel, and guess what? You’ll deliver a better presentation.

For further information or to book a place on our Improving Your Presentation Skills Open Course please contact:

Faye Shipley
T:  01789 734300
E:  fayes@structuredtraining.com