How can I feel more comfortable presenting in public

“I am afraid of presenting to the leadership team.”

“I get tongue-tied when I present to the boss.”

“I get very nervous when I conduct training to a group of people”

Being a manager and a trainer, I have heard the above multiple times. Some of them are extremely bright, hardworking, and know their business at the back of their hand. They are great in small group discussions but get nervous in wider group presentations. So, how do we overcome the fear of presenting in public?

When I just started working, I was very nervous when I had to present in front of a group, especially to my bosses. It was the same with conducting training, I was very self-conscious and wanted things to be perfect. That gave me immense pressure. Often, after the presentation, I will replay certain parts in my mind and felt that I could have done it differently. Sometimes, I will ask myself – “why did I say that?”

I remember sharing this fear with a friend whom I find was very assured of herself. She reminded me that when I am teaching or training, it’s not about me, it’s about them. I was nervous because I cared too much about what my audience would think about me. Once I focused out on them instead of myself, I enjoyed the process so much more. Besides, I reminded myself that people are not judging me. I was judging myself.

I did not give myself room to make mistakes. The fear of making a blunder is mentally and emotionally draining. Through acceptance, I learned that it’s okay to acknowledge that I don’t have the answer at that particular moment. Once I have accepted that my presentation will never be perfect, but the best I can be, it lifted a huge rock off my chest. There are bound to be areas that I can improve on and this helps me to focus on growth instead of being defensive and self-conscious.

It helped me tremendously in leading presentations at work too. Focusing on what value I could bring to them instead of trying to impress them allowed me to focus on what’s most relevant.

Sometimes, we forget that our bosses are human beings, just like us. When I place them on the pedestal as supreme figures who are so great and different from me, I feel distant and self-conscious. Seeing them as human beings with insecurity, joy, and fears instantly connect me with them at a human level. At work, they are still the bosses. In life, we are all on this journey together, wishing for good health, meaningful relationships, and happiness. They are just like me, and there's nothing to be afraid of. Interaction no longer feels so intimidating and this opens up the door towards more connection.

Today, I am much more comfortable presenting or speaking in front of a group. Am I still nervous at times? Yes. After all, I am still someone that tries to be the best and yearns for recognition. That’s when I remind myself – Have I given my best? Am I trying to add value or am I trying to impress? These questions often allow me to focus on what’s most important. Maybe you can try them out too.