This is it. The lights go down and the curtain goes up. All the planning, questions and feelings you have are now taken over by the sound of your heart beating faster – like a bass drum that we think everyone in the room can hear. We are self-conscious but want to seem calm and in control. In this chapter we look at getting you off to a great start. Body language and your voice are key – and you have to manage them accordingly. We will focus on controlling any nerves, breathing techniques, memorising words, as well as identifying the benefits of standing vs sitting and moving vs remaining still.
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We never get a second chance to make a first impression. Irma Wyman |
Wow. All that planning and now here we are, just about to say our first words in front of our audience. Our logic is replaced by our emotions and suddenly we can feel vulnerable and question why we agreed to do this in the first place.
Rather than ramble on, which is easy, it can be beneficial to take the participants through a simple model about the context in which they will be working for the session/day (see Figure 8.1 overleaf). It will get you to become comfortable with your voice being heard and it is a model that is common sense and non-threatening. In 10 years of using it, all I have heard is that it is common sense.
The challenge vs support model
Figure 8.1 The challenge vs support model
As you can see from Figure 8.1, we have challenge on the vertical axis and support on the horizontal axis. Low and high are at each end of the line. If showing it on PowerPoint, it is very effective if you can use custom animation so that only one word appears at a time.
Show the four-quadrant model on a screen or flipchart without any of the words in the quadrants showing.
Then show/write the first word, BORED. Explain that if there is low challenge and low support, then people will get BORED easily. Speaking as their facilitator, I do not want this.
Then show/write the word, COMFORT. Explain that if there is low challenge with high support from others, then people will be in their comfort zone and it will be a lost opportunity. We do not want this.
Then show/write the word, FEAR. Explain that if there is a lot of challenging by others but no support mechanism, then people will be reluctant to talk out through fear. Again, we do not want this.
Where we want to be is in the top right quadrant, which will be conducive to get people to LEARN. If we encourage high challenge with high support, then people will be away from fear, boredom and their comfort zone and will truly open themselves up to learn. This is where we want to be!
Put it to the group and get agreement. This exercise will show them that you are in control and your voice has been assertive in defining the environment you want to create.
Controlling nerves
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If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today. E. Joseph Cossman |
- Most people fear presenting in case they should look foolish or dry up. Yet, you can prevent both of these from happening by being prepared. Remember that 90 per cent of your presentation should be preparation.
- You will probably find you are most nervous in the few minutes before your talk, the first minute of your talk and when handling questions. In the minutes before try breathing deeply, and when you are at the front stand tall; both of these will increase the oxygen taken in to your lungs. Also, drive yourself to want to speak.
- Remember that audiences are generally open and accepting. They are also human. Look at the people in your audience as friends, so talk to your audience informally before your presentation. That is also helpful for personalising your talk to your audience.
- To reduce your nervousness in the opening minutes it is best to have learnt your opening sentences. Speak them with courage and confidence, and think of yourself as there to succeed.
- It is difficult to do much to reduce the nerves of answering questions other than to have anticipated questions beforehand. Try not to let your nervousness show when answering questions. Consciously relax your facial expressions.
- Ensure your body language does not show your nerves. Relax your facial expressions and your arms. Do not clench your hands.
- Be calm so that you can deal with the unexpected. Do not worry about trivialities.
- Do not panic, or take yourself too seriously, if you make a mistake during your talk. We are all human.
- It helps if you dress smartly.
- Do not try to be someone you are not. Know yourself, like yourself and be yourself.
When you are listening to individuals introduce themselves, repeat their name back to them. This will help you to memorise their names as well as get clarity on pronunciation.
Successful theatrical productions are rehearsed many times before the first performance and giving a presentation is no different. As well as using rehearsals to perfect your presentation, you will become familiar with the content and structure, which will inspire confidence and in turn reduce nerves. Practise on your own, practise in front of a mirror, and if you can find someone to watch your presentation then you’ll be far more comfortable when you come to the real thing.
But what about those last-minute nerves?
A thorough rehearsal will significantly reduce your tension; however, it is inevitable that you will still feel some nervousness immediately before your presentation. Here are a few techniques that will help you to deal with those last-minute butterflies.
Internal warm-up
Visualise yourself giving a successful presentation. See the audience listening and responding positively to your words. Hear their laughter as you make a joke. Listen to the conversations they are having. Hear their applause. Run through your opening lines in your head.
Physical warm-up
Professional actors will often run through a basic physical warm-up in the wings before they make their opening entrance. Physical activity is a great way to reduce tension.
- Stretch out your body. Short five- to ten-second stretches will help to reduce tension.
- Clench your fists and toes tightly and then release. Repeat this action five or six times.
- If possible find a space to do four or five press-ups. This will reduce upper body tension.
Breathing
- Take a deep breath down into your stomach, hold for 10 seconds and then release the breath counting aloud until all of the air has dispersed. Repeat two or three times.
- Take a deep breath through your nose then breathe out slowly through your mouth. Repeat this action two or three times.
- Taking control of your breathing will improve your voice quality.
Beware of what you consume
- You should avoid any products which will dehydrate you, resulting in your throat and mouth feeling dry. It is also wise not to eat a very large meal ahead of a presentation. This can lead to you feeling sluggish and lethargic.
- You will have a natural flow of nervous energy and therefore will not require caffeine and sugar to give you an additional boost.
- Drink a sensible amount of water which is served at room temperature. Too much water will increase your bladder activity and add to the stress of the situation!
Memorising words
When working with a set text, the most effective method of committing the words to memory is through repetition. If you have the time, practise the words at the same time each day for the same length of time, preferably for between 30 minutes and 1 hour. This will lock your presentation into your brain and give you the confidence to perform without notes.
Enthusiasm
- Be enthusiastic, as it is contagious.
- Use gestures (usually hands) to emphasise your enthusiasm.
- Project your personality. This warms the audience to you.
- Be careful with humour. Some people get offended very easily.
- Sell your message with confidence and conviction. Do not oversell by inundating them with facts.
- Be sure to be enthusiastic even if you have given the talk many times already. You need the audience to feel that they are on the receiving end of your enthusiasm and that your delivery style is fresh and vibrant.
Distractions
- Expect distractions from latecomers, splinter groups, ill-timed questions or loud noises from outside the room. If you think the loud noise will be short-lived, for example, an ambulance siren, you should pause rather than shout over it.
- You can avoid ill-timed questions if you say at the beginning that either you would like to answer questions at the end, or you will invite questions at intervals. Alternatively, defer answering the ill-timed question until you have finished making a point.
- You may not be successful in keeping the attention of all your audience. If anyone is disruptive you could leave it to those around them to quieten them, or you could use firm, steady eye contact with them. If they are not disruptive, ignore them. In the break talk to them to identify the hidden agenda that they are disappointed you are not addressing and aim to change their attitude and understanding.
Standing up or sitting down?
Let’s get this straight. When first getting the courage to speak in front of other people, it is a lot easier to sit down than to stand up in front of them. There is nothing wrong with that, if it builds up your confidence.
When delivering your workshop, you will mostly be required to be on your feet. Being flexible, of course, you will spend some time sitting down as well and there are times when this is appropriate.
When you may want to stand up
- To make a positive impact when saying your first words.
- To control the group dynamics.
- So that you can scan the room and participants.
- So you can build rapport through eye contact.
- So that you can make your body language visible.
- To make a point.
- To manage a cross-group discussion.
- To make an announcement.
Be aware of:
- being too animated;
- moving up and down the room like a yo-yo;
- any mannerisms you may have – such as flicking a pen top or pulling at Blu-Tack or paper clips.
When you may want to sit down
- To be equal with the group.
- To be part of a discussion.
- To interact without authority.
- To have a conversation.
- To engage at their level.
- To show an interest.
- To listen attentively.
- To turn attention away from you.
Be aware of:
- wanting to be one of ‘them’;
- hiding behind the table and therefore hiding a large percentage of your body language;
- losing your authority and control of the environment.
