Related Posts
Bowl Leader
Tag yourselves I’m “I want ur body copy”
Pro
Conversation Starter
That’s the dream.
Conversation Starter
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
I’m in literally same situation but my issue is with virtual presentations, in person I’m much better.
One piece of advice I can give (that I need to follow) is just to slow down and think it out. Freezes only happen because we’re overwhelmed, anxious, or unprepared. Slowing down and pausing allows us to quickly fix that. Plus, pauses are not nearly as awkward as we think they are.
That’s great advice! Do you have any cues or reminders to take a pause or slow down that you use?
On occasion that’ll happen to me. I’ve found that just remembering that the ones you’re presenting to have been in the same situation helps. If I blank during a presentation now I’ll backtrack slightly until I get my thoughts in order. You’ll only learn from times like this so just embrace it and don’t let it get to you.
That’s very true and good to remember they are humans. Honestly it has been helpful for me to see senior leaders make a mistake or freeze up every now and then as a reminder that it happens to everyone.
Has happened to me before, the nerves really can get to me and I’m just lost in the sauce when I’m actually in front of others. To avoid this, I try to practice and have some kind of outline (memorized or physical) that I can look back on just to keep the ball moving. Practice, but keep it flexible enough I can roll with the punches too.
I definitely do this too. I feel totally unprepared if I don’t have an outline ready to go. The trick or challenge is to be flexible enough and not freeze up if something off script comes up.
Practice practice practice… which means you should have a talk track if that happens. Obviously read the room but you can always say something to break the awkwardness. We’re all human, the goal is that if you project with confidence then everyone will feel that so you control the room at all times
That’s a good idea. It’s kind of just owning it, making light of it, and moving on which is a true show of confidence. This feels like a case where trying to always be perfect and polished is actually the enemy of progress.
Take a breath / sip of water during, go slow. I talk fast, so me talking super slow seems relatively normal to other people, which is crazy, but it also makes me seem more confident. And, reminding myself if I freeze its not the worst thing in the world helps a lot too
Those are all good tips. Taking a drink of water is a good way to force a pause without seeming to unnatural