GLOSS DEC-JAN 2016

Take a sip of water to regain your composure Controlling your breathing is a crucial part of and make eye contact with a friendly face the performance. in the audience. It will re-energise you and Before the presentation, take a minute to boost your confidence. perform the 4 x 4 breathing technique.

Breathe in deeply for four counts, then Borrow the physiology of a confident person breathe out for four, and repeat this four until you believe it again. Lean forward, times. Remember to pause during the move your hands to make a point and boost presentation – this not only allows the energy, and move around the stage. Make audience to absorb what you have said; it sure your stance is confident and energetic: also allows you to keep your breath steady no slumped shoulders, no downcast eyes or and calm. Many people make the mistake crossed arms. of forgetting to pause and breathe, and soon run out of breath – which makes them appear Sometimes it can be okay to make a joke extra nervous and adds to their own anxiety. about a stumble – it depends on the audience and the issue. People will usually forgive Watch your self-talk. If you are telling mistakes, but they won’t forgive you for yourself that this is scary and everyone will boring them silly. be judging you – you are giving the negativity oxygen. Instead, remind yourself that you Is being vulnerable and failing what people are passionate, informed, and well prepared, admire in today’s most popular speakers, and have been asked to contribute because versus being 100% rehearsed? you have something to offer. Maybe listen to WM: Robots don’t resonate. To connect music or do something that relaxes or inspires with your audience, you need to be human, you before the presentation. and being human means being vulnerable.

Everyone remembers the ‘real Julia’ when Visualise yourself delivering the presentation former Prime Minister Julia Gillard in a confident, calm, and friendly manner. announced that she was going to return to a Imagine that the audience looks engaged and more natural communication style. satisfied. Visualisation is used by professional athletes to help them reach their goals.

When the Victorian Chief Commissioner of Police, Ken Lay, resigned in December 2014, We all know how much better it feels to commentators complimented his relaxed style go into an exam well researched, so do and ‘down-to-earth’ approach. He lost his your homework for the presentation. Some composure during his farewell speech and might also like to have emergency plans, was applauded for being real. like what happens if the PowerPoint fails or you freeze – what will you do? Planning for There is of course a very big difference contingencies provides extra comfort. between being vulnerable and being totally unprepared or boring. Don’t ever disrespect If you falter while addressing an audience, your audience or your own reputation by what do you do? delivering a presentation without preparation.

WM: Firstly, relax – no one is perfect. To get back on track, take a deep breath in and out Your action list (not directly into the microphone, it might • Identify those nervous ticks, niggling sound like you are having an asthma attack). habits or presenting weaknesses, and train GLOSS DEC - JAN 2016| 101