Before giving a speech or presentation, I look out over the audience and smile before I start — this is something I always do. It’s a reminder to myself that I choose to enjoy it. Yet many people are more terrified of public speaking than they are of death itself. Perhaps it’s because there’s no security once you’re up in front of people. You’re totally exposed. But you also have tremendous opportunity — the chance to influence people, to make a difference in their lives, to have an impact. If security is more important than opportunity, you’ll deny yourself some tremendous opportunities, both to help others and to help yourself.
Last week I coached a young woman who had just been given a wonderful opportunity. She had been asked to present to the international board of directors at her company. She was terrified. Her words to me were:
“I am rubbish at public speaking, I dry up and feel totally inadequate.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I know that this young woman was an event manager in her last job. She had stood up and spoken in front of parents and children on a regular basis. She had presented ideas for events to her peers and taken the plans to the committee. She had organised events and was totally unaware that 50% of her job had been “public speaking”
I asked her to tell me about the times when she had given presentations and spoken in public. She was amazed to realise that she had, in fact, given many successful speeches and presentations. So what was it that was blocking her in her new role? She was considerably younger than most of the international board members. She had only been with the company for eight months and she felt inferior. She was anxious that questions might arise that she couldn’t answer. She also felt her voice was not strong enough.
So after some questioning what solutions did she come up with to help her? She decided to speak to her direct Boss who had asked her to present. She would find out exactly what information the board needed. She realised that her voice would be stronger when she was more confident. She would try to anticipate any questions that might arise and be comfortable with saying:

“I am not able to answer that right now but I will come back to you by the end of the day if at all possible” or “That’s an interesting question, may I come back to you on that?”
She was also going to create rapport by asking hypothetical questions and involving them in her presentation where possible. She would look at ways to do this and we would discuss them later. She was going to open the presentation with a couple of interesting facts that she felt would get their attention.
Being prepared to ask for help was a first step. Then to think about planning and organising her presentation to suit her audience. Finally, to realise that she was a competent speaker and that presenting to the international board was a privilege and a great opportunity.
Jackie Arnold