Doing the scary thing at work (presentation mode).

In this edition of the newsletter I reflect on how I've grown in confidence as a speaker and facilitator, and why it isn't always easy to be in 'presentation mode' even if the foundations are in place.

Hopefully the lessons I'm learning along the way will also help you too, wherever you're at in your presenter journey - whether you're holding the 'mic' in a team meeting, doing a big presentation for the first time, or even doing your 100th!

Career puzzles - how to be a more confident presenter

Presenting to people at work is often scary, even when you're seasoned in doing them, and confident in what you're talking about (but if you love presentations, and never feel the fear, please share your wisdom In the comments!)

(Photo by Matthias Wagner on Unsplash)

This month I did a couple of speaking activities which I was excited about, prepared for, etc., but that doesn't mean that you can't be nervous in the same moment.

The online presentation...

Online Teams-style presentations (also often recorded) can add an additional sprinkle of apprehension...although for others, this format might be preferable to a room full of people.

Although it sounds simple, I find having lots of water and tea within reach and wearing some fluffy slippers or socks (if presenting from home!) to be really grounding. It can also help to step away from your computer just before, so you're not overthinking what you're going to say. Here's the original reflection:

The panel discussion...

Another type of larger audience speaking is the panel discussion, and recently I did another of these as the panel Chair / moderator through my involvement in the B Lab Benelux justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) circle. This panel discussion (ft. Angie Zapata / De Roos Jules Prick / Koos and Iris Rusman / O My Bag Amsterdam ) was part of a wider event organised by members of the JEDI circle during B Corp month. If you're new to the B Corp movement, participating companies must certify - and periodically re-certify - to high standards of environmental, social, and governance practices.

So what can make the panel moderation experience an enjoyable one?

• be curious - I am really interested in the topic being discussed in the event pictured above (addressing bias and inclusive workplace practices) and in the experiences of the panel members, and this helps with the moderation part too - you're 'just' asking questions you want to know the answers to, in front of an audience, and including questions from the audience too!
• be interactive - I've mentioned on LinkedIn before my enthusiasm for Mentimeter and this panel added another spin to its use. The event is part of a wider piece of work in which we're developing an inclusive practices toolkit, so the responses from the audience to the Mentimeter questions are valuable during the discussion, and valuable afterwards.
• Be kind to yourself! Any live discussion - or any conversation for that matter - is never going to be perfectly scripted. But that's OK, and often the most insightful points can come from a spontaneous example ??.

Media Corner

I have been loving, and binge-listening, to the Career Contessa | Job Search + Career Advice podcast recently, which shares tips on everything from skills to help you in your career, to planning your career goals, to navigating a job search; all in a very relatable way and new episode most weeks.

The most recent episode is about communication skills, you can find it here.

I also posted this month about a brilliant AJ Odudu interview in Vogue (I was also very happy when she was announced as a Presenter of the reboot of Big Brother UK ??), in which she talks about the challenges she had to overcome in moving to London from 'up North' and 'making it' in an often unaccessible and network-led TV industry.

Thanks The Social Mobility Foundation for sharing the link first!

Thank you for reading to the end of this edition and see you again next month.

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