Speaking publicly can be quite frightening for some people, so you’ll want to adapt your approach to make it easy and even enjoyable to make presentations.
If you learn from a strict instructor, you may have the skills pounded into your head, until you can give presentations and make no mistakes. This is the method where you learn not only what to do, but also what not to do.
There is an easier and less stressful way to learn about giving presentations, which will include the development of your own style. You will be concerned about body language, as all speakers are, but it’s easier if you learn how to adapt your style, rather than to try to remember all the things you can’t do while speaking.
When you realize how presentations work, you will learn that the things you should stay away from are quiet annoying if you repeat them all the time. The easiest way to learn, then, is to let your body move more freely, so that the people who are listening will learn from your presentation.
You can’t use different body language vices, so you just need to remember not to repeat any body movements that your audience may find distracting. It’s much easier to remember not to be repetitive than it is to remember each body movement that you should not use.
Self-confidence plays a huge role in how you come across to those to whom you are speaking. You don’t need to be your own critic – you can learn from others the way in which it is easier for them to concentrate on the material you’re presenting. You will almost always feel that your performance is worse than the people listening will feel. Your supposed fumbling with a new topic brought up may actually be seen by others as the ability to bring in new ideas.
You are usually your own worst critic, so ask people whose opinion you respect to let you know how they think you do when you practice a presentation in front of them. You may be better than you thought!
ledingceo.com is the leader in delivering world-class presentation skills programs for companies and individuals. The programs are transformational, motivational and unlike anything on the market today. Visit www.ledingceo.com to find out more.
