Fear of Speaking? - Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking

Summary

In this insightful video, Jason, a skilled public speaking coach, helps a client overcome his fear of presenting. Despite being a brilliant professional, the client struggles with anxiety, sweating hands, and memory lapses during presentations. Jason's approach involves helping him manage nervousness, emphasizing the importance of body language over hiding behind podiums. He teaches the client to avoid nervous habits, like shifting weight or overusing the mouse, and to focus on making their body language dynamic. The result? The client delivers his next presentation confidently, without relying on security buffers, and engages the audience more effectively.

Takeaways

• 😀 Acknowledging fear in presentations is key; it's not whether you're nervous, but whether you show it.
• 😀 Body language is crucial for a successful presentation, accounting for up to 55% of the message.
• 😀 Using a podium can restrict body language and limit your ability to connect with the audience.
• 😀 The goal is to present confidently without relying on a podium for security.
• 😀 Common nervous habits, like shifting weight or excessive blinking, can make you appear less confident.
• 😀 The 'T-Rex stance' is a defensive posture many presenters use out of discomfort, but it can hinder effective communication.
• 😀 It's more important to focus on the audience's perception of you than your own comfort during presentations.
• 😀 When presenting, put your hands in a 'holster' position when not actively using them to emphasize your message.
• 😀 Overuse of a mouse during a demo can distract from your presentation and make you seem uncertain.
• 😀 Awareness of non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language, helps ensure you appear composed and confident.
• 😀 Practicing these habits will help you deliver a presentation with confidence and engage your audience effectively.

Q & A

What was the client's main fear during presentations?

The client’s main fear was that his hands would sweat, causing him to forget what he was going to say, leading to a loss of control and confidence during presentations.

What specific advice did Jason give to the client to overcome his fear?

Jason advised the client to schedule three two-hour sessions with him to work on conquering his fear and improving his presentation skills.

What was the client's feedback after the presentation following the sessions with Jason?

The client confirmed that he was able to give an effective presentation in front of a crowd without the security of a podium or table, which allowed him to use his body language more effectively.

Why is body language important during a presentation?

Body language is crucial because it accounts for 55% of communication. It helps convey confidence and allows the audience to feel more connected with the presenter.

What did Jason say about nervousness during presentations?

Jason emphasized that it's not about whether you're nervous, but whether you show it. The key is to control the visible signs of nervousness to appear calm and confident to the audience.

What are some of the top actions that make a presenter look nervous?

Actions like shifting weight back and forth, rubbing the collar or arms, overusing a mouse in a demo, excessive blinking, and widening eyes can make a presenter appear nervous.

What is the T-Rex stance, and why do presenters use it?

The T-Rex stance is when a presenter holds their hands close to their body, like a small buffer, to feel more comfortable and secure. It's often used by presenters who are nervous and unsure of where to place their hands.

What does Jason suggest about the T-Rex stance during presentations?

Jason suggests that while the T-Rex stance may feel comfortable, it's important for presenters to use their hands dynamically when making points and then return them to their sides or 'holster' to maintain control and avoid looking nervous.

Why is using a podium or table not ideal for presentations?

Using a podium or table can limit the presenter's ability to use body language, which is essential for engaging the audience. It also creates a barrier between the presenter and the audience, which can make the presentation feel less personal.

What was Jason’s key piece of advice for improving presentation skills?

Jason’s key advice was to focus on eliminating nervous habits and practicing body language that makes the presenter appear confident and engaged with the audience.