Ulrich Mayerhofer sits in the front row of a large conference room. On stage, his superior, the sales director, speaks. In the hall: 50 colleagues and employees. Ulrich knows it's his turn as the next speaker.
Nervousness comes at the expense of the effect
As Sales Director, he will announce the half-year figures. The numbers are excellent. Ulrich knows he could look forward to the presentation with serenity. But he also knows what will probably happen again. He has experienced it many times. Out at the front, with his customers, he is eloquent, convincing, rhetorically fully there. But as soon as he is supposed to speak publicly in front of more than 5 people, he becomes a bundle of nerves. This time is no exception.
The effect of stage fright
At that moment , where he is called as the next speaker, his breath catches. All strength leaves his legs, he can only climb the podium to the stage with difficulty. The CEO shakes his hand as he passes, Ulrich's is ice-cold and damp. On the way to the lectern, his legs tremble so badly that he fears he will collapse. With the last of his strength, he reaches the lectern and clutches it like a drowning man. With nervous hands, he regulates the microphone. And begins to speak. In a low voice that trembles even more than his legs, he begins to recite.
The trembling subsides after a while, but he is so eager to get out of this "torture situation" as soon as possible that he becomes faster and faster and thus more monotonous. He gallops through his slides, leaving the audience no time to absorb and understand them in detail. The slide with the greatest half-year result since the company was founded is totally lost! No one really understands the significance of what has just been shown. Out of sheer happiness that he is allowed to step down, Ulrich mumbles his final sentence and flees from the stage.
Nervousness inhibits the career
From my point of view as a voice coach for the economy, this is tragic. From many aspects. Firstly, because the entire workforce did not understand how well the company was doing with this once-in-a-century result. What could have been a wonderful motivational message fizzled out in empty space. But also tragic, especially for Ulrich, who did nothing to even begin to underline his own part in this result. Career boosters look different. Not to mention his great team, which was not appreciated by this disastrous presentation.
What to do about stage fright?
What can such people do to appear better and more effective? There are two "construction sites" to consider here. The first – simpler – is the type of presentation, the structure. With events of this kind, the only thing that helps is an arc of suspense that leads to the moment when the half-year number is mentioned and reveals it in a quasi-rhetorically bombastic way. Anyone can work on this relatively easily with the help of a coach, for example. The second, not so easy part is working on stage fright itself. It is best to work with the same person on both topics so that unity is created.
Two practical tips that will help relieve your tension
Here are two simple remedies, Quickly regain your full security:
- Short warming-up for voice and body language before the performance. Usually 30 seconds is enough, an empty office or the washroom is recommended as a location. For a checklist of 30-second warming-ups, check out my book "Voice sells! The power of the voice in business."
- Phrase diet, especially at the beginning. Instead of the often-heard "Ladies and gentlemen", pause for a moment first to attract attention. And then you start directly with a "Do you remember the conference a year ago?" or with "How accurate were our expectations ...". After this first sentence, wait for the reactions. Bravo! – You aroused the curiosity of your listeners and provoked the first reaction. This will increase your security by leaps and bounds.
Step by step to more safety
If you use this Follow instructions before your next public speech, you will see that your stage fright immediately takes on bearable proportions. And the more you work and practice with it, you will notice how this unnecessary fever leaves you completely and makes way for something else: namely the joy of speaking! There is! I have often experienced it with my coachees. Believe me!
Her voice works. Voice sells!
Heartily
Arno Fischbacher
Your Business Voice Coach
Seminar tip: Rhetoric Practice: Speaking and Presenting with a Strong Voice
Read Also:
- How to get your stage fright under control
- Is the voice coach himself still nervous?
- Are you still nervous – or do you already feel it?
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