Andy KaufmanHost| People and Projects PodcastLake Zurich, Il, United States
Hi! I'm prepping for a podcast interview with Harvard Business Review's Dan McGinn regarding his new book Psyched Up (a very engaging book about dealing with stress and anxiety before making a big presentation, having a difficult conversation, taking a challenging test, or performing in any way).
Here's my question for you: What would you tell a nervous co-worker who's about to give a big presentation? Leave a comment below. Thanks! Saving Changes...
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Thomas MauserProject Manager| Project X LimitedNorth York, Ontario, Canada
Andy - thanks for the question. I have faced such situations in the past, and while practice makes perfect, it's still an anxious moment when you give a big presentation.
I would say to my nervous co-worker to imagine that he or she is giving the presentation to one person, and that person is your best friend or most trusted colleague. This allows the person making the presentation to be able to relax, and speak calmly and naturally, rather than getting anxious and nervous.
If time permits, I would also tell the nervous co-worker to practice their presentation and imagine the audience to whom they are giving their presentation.
Tom Mauser, PMP
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1 reply by Andy Kaufman
Jul 19, 2017 1:07 PM
Andy Kaufman
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Thanks Tom! I appreciate you sharing your wise words! Those moments right before the presentation are normally the hardest, eh?
In a couple days I'll share what the author suggests. Thanks again!
I would tell him to remember it is just the first 5 minutes which are tricky, if he gets past that - he will sail through. Go with what you have prepared for and don't let new thoughts take you off track. Trust on what you have worked on.
For the first 5 minutes challenge, as part of homework, talk to a couple of people who are going to attend the meeting before the presentation. Take them in confidence on what your story line is. Will give you confidence and also give you allies for the meeting,
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1 reply by Andy Kaufman
Jul 19, 2017 1:21 PM
Andy Kaufman
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Great advice, Prateek! Thank you!
Saving Changes...
Andy KaufmanHost| People and Projects PodcastLake Zurich, Il, United States
Jul 19, 2017 11:02 AM
Replying to Thomas Mauser
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Andy - thanks for the question. I have faced such situations in the past, and while practice makes perfect, it's still an anxious moment when you give a big presentation.
I would say to my nervous co-worker to imagine that he or she is giving the presentation to one person, and that person is your best friend or most trusted colleague. This allows the person making the presentation to be able to relax, and speak calmly and naturally, rather than getting anxious and nervous.
If time permits, I would also tell the nervous co-worker to practice their presentation and imagine the audience to whom they are giving their presentation.
Tom Mauser, PMP
Thanks Tom! I appreciate you sharing your wise words! Those moments right before the presentation are normally the hardest, eh?
In a couple days I'll share what the author suggests. Thanks again! Saving Changes...
Andy KaufmanHost| People and Projects PodcastLake Zurich, Il, United States
Jul 19, 2017 1:06 PM
Replying to Prateek Gupta
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I would tell him to remember it is just the first 5 minutes which are tricky, if he gets past that - he will sail through. Go with what you have prepared for and don't let new thoughts take you off track. Trust on what you have worked on.
For the first 5 minutes challenge, as part of homework, talk to a couple of people who are going to attend the meeting before the presentation. Take them in confidence on what your story line is. Will give you confidence and also give you allies for the meeting,
Great advice, Prateek! Thank you! Saving Changes...
Mikel SteadmanPMO Leader| Development Dimensions InternationalTroy, Nh, United States
I would ensure them butterflies are normal.
Here is what I did with my solutions teams to prep them to speak.
1. Know your content. If your entire presentation bursts into flames, could you present it reasonably well. Know your key points you want to get across.
2. Connect with the audience before the presentation. If you can't spend time with them, learning about them, what matters to them, then ask folks in the organization to describe them for you. This helps you gain the feeling that you know them and you are now simply presenting to folks you know.
3. Start strong, Finish strong. Practice practice practice your opening, your key points, and your close. I commit 5-10 hours (depending on the depth of content) of practice, prep, and re-work time for every 1/2 hour of presenting. This includes a few trial runs with folks I trust.
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1 reply by Andy Kaufman
Jul 19, 2017 5:18 PM
Andy Kaufman
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Brilliant, Mikel! Thank you for sharing those very specific insights!
Saving Changes...
Andy KaufmanHost| People and Projects PodcastLake Zurich, Il, United States
Jul 19, 2017 3:50 PM
Replying to Mikel Steadman
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I would ensure them butterflies are normal.
Here is what I did with my solutions teams to prep them to speak.
1. Know your content. If your entire presentation bursts into flames, could you present it reasonably well. Know your key points you want to get across.
2. Connect with the audience before the presentation. If you can't spend time with them, learning about them, what matters to them, then ask folks in the organization to describe them for you. This helps you gain the feeling that you know them and you are now simply presenting to folks you know.
3. Start strong, Finish strong. Practice practice practice your opening, your key points, and your close. I commit 5-10 hours (depending on the depth of content) of practice, prep, and re-work time for every 1/2 hour of presenting. This includes a few trial runs with folks I trust.
Brilliant, Mikel! Thank you for sharing those very specific insights! Saving Changes...
