Before and during a speech or presentation - this is how you can remain composed

"I am afraid and nervous to speak in front of so many people." "I don't like speaking in front of large groups." - this is how many of my clients sound at the beginning of seminars or individual training sessions. One thing, dear readers, in advance: a little stage fright is good, sometimes even necessary, to build up the required tension and concentration - especially when you have to present the same content to an audience multiple times. Because in these cases, there is a risk of mechanically going through the content without any excitement. It becomes disruptive when someone is so afraid of their performance that they can no longer concentrate and believe they have forgotten everything they prepared. Whether you act confidently or nervously and anxiously during a speech or presentation, it all depends on you alone. There are two key factors that play a role in this: your mental attitude towards speaking in front of groups and your situational appearance, which is determined by your choice of words, clothing, and body language. My following thesis may sound provocative: "The larger the audience, the easier and smoother a speech, a presentation, or a lecture usually is." Why is this the case? While in typical (business) meetings with a number of participants, for example, eight to twelve, there are usually conflicting discussions, questions, and often unfair verbal attacks on the agenda, you are usually spared from these when speaking in front of larger groups - unless there is a discussion round afterwards. The main obstacle that stands in the way of a confident performance as a speaker is often initially of a mental nature. Those who appear with a fear of large groups will show this fear and insecurity through their body language and often also through their choice of words. Thus, a self-fulfilling spiral develops over time. However, even those who are not afraid of speaking in front of many people can benefit from their mental strength, but may still exhibit numerous behavioral traits in the specific situation that ultimately make them appear weak. So, besides having the right mental attitude, what else is essential to confidently address groups and be convincing? The literal first step towards this lies in how someone approaches their speaking location. Announced, called, standing up - and then the walk to the place of action can be done with an upright posture and appropriate outfit or slouched, with drooping shoulders and... Once there, many speakers start speaking too early - and already appear hectic as a result. It is important at this point to first make eye contact with the audience and be able to endure the resulting pause. By the way: Whenever we communicate with people - even in sales or leadership conversations, a pause is a very powerful rhetorical instrument to appear confident and composed. However, only a few people can withstand it. Now, the first words - and incidentally also the last ones - of your speech, your presentation, your lecture are crucial. Unfortunately, clichés like "I am pleased to welcome you..." are often used here. A cliché always suggests to the listener: run-of-the-mill. If you truly want to speak and present confidently, you will use one of the numerous techniques to begin and end a speech that are far from the usual and far from clichés. Techniques that can be trained. And always speak the beginning and end from memory! While speaking, emphasize with open gestures and inviting facial expressions that you stand behind the topic. Many people - even experienced speakers - often don't know what to do with their arms and hands. And if you work with text prompts (if you do, A6 cards are suitable), always remember to give your audience the necessary eye contact. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. It makes you human. Perfection provokes aggression. However, the mistakes should not occur too frequently. To reassure you: it is also possible to train to avoid blackouts or to handle them so skillfully that they are not even recognized as blackouts. If you have to speak behind a lectern, avoid holding onto it. This deprives you of the chance to convince with gestures. In this respect, many members of the German Bundestag or state parliaments set a bad example for convincing appearances. The question of whether and how you can use media such as PowerPoint for a confident performance would exceed the scope of this "thoughts for practice." You can learn more about this in one of the upcoming issues. And always remember, when giving a speech or presentation, the words of Augustine: "Let what you want to ignite in others burn within you." Whether this is the case is always revealed by your body language - regardless of your choice of words. Warm regards, Peter A. Worel.