Confidence comes with Preparation
Speaking confidently in front of people can be cultivated and developed. There is evidence of that statement based on two of my experiences as follows: 1) When working in New York as a Training Manager for the brokerage firm Merrill Lynch, I joined the international public speaking organization known as Toastmasters. New members frequently experienced stage fright and a one minute speech seemed like eternity. In many cases, the same people were effective presenters in six months. This is because confidence was developed by practicing weekly.
To me, the quote "practice makes perfect" is a myth but practice does make better. 2) I have taught a Business Presentations Seminar for 20 years as both internal employee and a consultant. In this two day program, participants get many chances to practice. During this time frame I have trained thousands of managers and professionals and 99 percent showed improvement when completing their final 15 minute presentation. Again, it entailed many practice opportunities during this time and confidence began to develop.
Here are also two additional specific suggestions:
1) What you during the presentation will determine how well you do during. Saying nothing well does not bode well in business situations. Audience members are present because they want or need the experience and expertise offered by the presenter. The confidence is built before by planning and developing. Planning is learning what the audience needs and wants. This is best accomplished by the speaker tapping in to her bosses expertise. By virtue of the higher level in the hierarchy, the boss will be more aware of the culture of the group, the politics and the nuances. Also, the bosses reputation is at stake when the speaker is presenting. Developing enlists the confidence of the audience because the subject matter contains clarity and logic.
2) You look better on the outside than you feel on the inside. What is critical here is where the presenter is placing the energy: is it on himself or the audience? If placed on himself, the focus is on the ego in an attempt to impress. When this happened , we usually depress or repress the audience. We also appear very rigid and self conscious. Again, place your energy on the audience as they are the sole reason for your presentation. Here, self confidence develops when the presenter sees the audience gaining is confidence,
Oh yes..the delivery style demonstrated enthusiasm. The last letters in enthusiasm is iasm...which stands for I am sold myself!
