Here's how you can manage your emotions effectively during a presentation.

One word answer to the question: "Practice", with practice you can easily control your emotions during any presentation because with each practice our brains creates new neural pathways so that we can be natural and confident while delivering our presentation.

Managing your emotions during a presentation is all about finding your calm and confidence. For me, it's about mixing mindfulness and positive thinking. By meditating and taking deep breathes I can manage my emotions and doing positive affirmations can help you gain confidence with your presentation. Practicing in front of a mirror helps to get the body language and boost confidence.

I manage my emotions effectively during a presentation by staying well-prepared, practicing deep breathing techniques, and focusing on the message rather than the audience’s reactions. I also remind myself to stay positive and confident, which helps me maintain composure and deliver a clear, impactful presentation.

Research shows fear is the #1 emotional response to presentations and public speaking. Understanding the fear and exploring what helps you best manage the physical and emotional response to the fear will help you maximize your energy when presenting and remain calm. Proactively mitigate the risks that escalate or reinforce your fears (i.e. tech issues, insufficient practice, etc.)

Deep Breathing is a powerful tool for managing emotions during presentations. When you breathe deeply: 1. It triggers your body's relaxation response 2. Oxygen flow increases, calming your nervous system 3. It helps clear your mind and improve your focus 4. It slows your heart rate, reducing anxiety 5. It gives you a moment to pause and reset Practice deep breathing before and during your presentation to stay grounded and composed.

I was asked to present at a conference and the day of the presentation, everything went wrong. There were technical challenges with the slides, there were issues with the microphone and sound, and the presentation in the room next door was playing really loud music. As my stress level increased so did my difficulty problem solving. Since I was already on stage, I couldn't leave to do any techniques privately. Instead, I was honest with attendees and encouraged them to do a quick breathing exercise with me so we could reset. Taking some deep breaths and sharing with the other participants not only helped me calm down but also built a sense of comradery and engaged them in the presentation.

Positive self-talk is the best way to get your mind in a good state before and during any presentation. Changing the story in your mind will help you turn potential challenges during your presentation into opportunities, simply by how you perceive them. Technical challenges will happen, audiences may occasionally be quiet, and you may not say all the words you intended to say and that's ok. Tell yourself you did everything to mitigate the risks and you will be ok. Your audience wants you to succeed as much as you do. No one wants to sit through a bad presentation. Your audience supports you and believes in you. Believe in yourself and your preparation!

Engage your audience in meaningful ways. For example, if a tech issue arises mid-presentation. Engage your audience by asking, "Take a moment and reflect back on what you've learned so far. Write down one thing that resonated with you and write one action you will take to put it into practice for yourself with a timeline. In a moment, I will ask for volunteers to share their thoughts." This is one way to redirect the energy and provide value for your audience and take some pressure of you.