We’ve all been there. Perhaps you were attending a conference for work. Maybe you paid money for tickets to hear someone share knowledge on a subject you were interested in. Either way, you went to great lengths to hear someone speak – and proceeded to sit through a speech that you thought just wouldn’t end….
The statistics about people’s anxiety about public speaking are well known, and many public speaking coaches will quote The Book of Lists claiming that the fear of public speaking is greater than the fear of death. Other coaches will reference the Jerry Seinfeld joke saying that people at a funeral would rather be in the…
In the business world, we’ve heard hundreds of speeches. Some, like Martin Luther King Jr.’s legendary speech, stick in our minds from our school days. Others, we simply endure and sit through, because we have no choice. Chances are you’ve been asked to give a speech at one time or another. You know you’ve got…
Jitters, sweaty palms, scratchy throat, you’re practically shaking. Someone called you to the stage. The time has come, the time you’ve prepared for — and dreaded — for weeks. You’re about to give a speech. You take the mic and all heads turn to you. Suddenly, you’re extremely aware of the fact that people are…
Recently, I was out to dinner with an industry colleague at a new and trendy restaurant. The lights were not too dim and the music was not overpowering which made this a great choice for catching up and having a conversation. The restaurant seemed to attract a good mix of clientele from the more mature…
One expectation frightens people preparing for a public presentation above all others. The fear is, “Even if I master the speech, someone will ask me a question and I’ll look stupid.” Here’s all you need to know about Questions & Answers. (Q&A) Keep these tips in mind and you can check that fear off your…