How can you manage presentation nerves and impress your colleagues?

It is already demonstrated by the majority countless times that having absolute clarity regarding the message during presentations plays prime role in delivering them with complete confidence for attaining inevitable success!

Deliberate thought and reflection can bring you closer to where you want to be. After you think you are conveying what you want to convey, you should test out your talk with a friend and ask them to think about how they feel, what they think and what kind of action they want to take. Honest feedback can be a life saver.

Another way to calm your nerves in the planning process is to directly interview your ICP before giving the presentation. What are some of the main things that they are looking to learn after attending your session? What are some of their main challenges when it comes to understanding your topic? That way, you can go into it confidently knowing you're delivering the information that they want to receive.

Practice, practice, practice. There will likely be a moment that you lose your place, or someone asks a question that throws you a bit. If you practice enough, you will be able to get back to where you need to be. Re: tech get there at least an hour early and test ALL of the tech. Avoid the tech voodoo at the 11th hour.

It's very helpful to practice as if you were really giving the talk (ie. Using the same tone and inflection). Simply muttering to yourself or going through the motions isn't good enough if you want to build confidence!

Being mindful and meditation have been proven over countless scientific studies to reduce your resting heart rate and calm your nerves. Leverage mediation and mindful breathing when you are feeling a little elevated.

Another way to help you settle your nerves is by putting yourself in your audience's shoes. How do you feel when you are about to listen to your colleagues present? The audience rarely feels malice. Worst case scenario, they do not care and want to go home. Best case scenario, they are interested in what you have to say and want to see you succeed. When was the last time you card about your colleague's shaky voice or sweaty hands?

I like to get there early enough that after I test the tech, I can greet my audience at the door. It makes it more personal and it reduces the amount of distance between me and them, which is exactly what I want. I want them to engage and feel comfortable with me.

The easiest way to engage with an audience is to ensure that you aren't just reading your slides. Connecting to the audience is much easier when you are speaking to them instead of reading to them.

Engagement and connection are crucial for impactful presentations. They involve demonstrating genuine enthusiasm and understanding towards your audience, fostering an environment conducive to interaction and discourse. This rapport-building not only establishes credibility but also transforms your delivery into an interactive exchange, encouraging colleagues to contribute insights and queries. Such a dynamic approach not only enriches the session but ensures that the content resonates deeply, making the experience more memorable and meaningful for all participants. Cultivating this level of engagement is the hallmark of a successful presentation, reinforcing the importance of audience-centric delivery.

No matter how well I think a talk went, I make sure and get feedback. There is always a way I can be better and give better value to my audience. Never stop learning, never stop improving.

It's important to recognize that when you're giving a presentation and feel nervous, physiologically, excitement and nervousness are not too different. If you can actively reframe your mindset to believing that you are excited to deliver the content and that everyone is rooting for you, it'll be easier to present.