Shake, Rattle, and Roll
March 2004
by Edward J. Barks
Knocking knees. Racing heart. Sweaty palms. Cotton mouth. Quivering voice. Shaky hands. Churning stomach. Jelly legs.
You don't need a doctor to diagnose these symptoms. Your ailment is called fear of public performance. It can strike when you step to the front of the room to deliver a presentation, steel yourself for an interview with a reporter, or prepare to testify before a panel of lawmakers or regulators.
I see it in my clients - even in highly experienced communicators - all the time. You should see the hands shoot into the air when, during a training workshop, I ask how many get nervous when show time arrives.
Hey, my hand goes up, too. And I am not humiliated in the least. Anyone with a pulse should feel some tension. In fact, if you feel too comfortable, you will likely deliver a lackluster performance that fails to persuade your listeners.
How can you channel this negative nervous energy into a positive? Some of the main methods include:- Remember that you are the expert. The reporter asked for an interview because of your valuable knowledge or your provocative point of view.
- Breathe deeply. Sure, we take this for granted. But somehow our inhale/exhale switch gets knocked into the "off" position when we take to the podium.
- Relieve stress with meditation, visualization, yoga, or daily workouts.
- Get accustomed to the environment where your interview or presentation will take place.
It is up to you to determine which techniques work best for you personally. To help my clients understand and address their specific situations, it is vital to locate the root cause of their angst. Among the culprits:
- Stage fright. Studies show that the single biggest repellant to our "fight or flight" mechanism is practice. The more you speak, the better you become at harnessing your wayward energy.
- Shyness. This affects a lot of us, me included. I can tell you firsthand that hard work and conscious effort help overcome timidity.
- Lack of preparation. Such laziness is inexcusable. Practice! Practice! Practice!
- Arrogance. Audiences can't stand know-it- alls. You may know more than they do, but don't rub their face in it.
- Foolish pride. The best and most experienced communicators are always in learning mode. Follow their example and commit to a plan that fosters lifelong learning.
- Lack of passion. If you can't demonstrate to your listeners that you care, why should they take a stake in the outcome?
- Never been taught. Communicating in public is not an innate skill. An expert coach can help you blaze your individual trail to lifelong learning.
- Bad advice about how to present. Beware! There is a lot of bad advice out there and plenty of hacks more than happy to sell it to you just to make a buck. Carefully check credentials.
Once you identify the cause, it is important to realize that only a long-term strategy can effectively address your performance anxiety. A skilled communications coach can help you organize your approach.
Take heart. With proper attention, you have the power to conquer your warbling voice and wobbly knees.
Ed Barks is a trainer, author, and speaker who teaches today's leaders
how to work with the media and how to deliver dynamic, message-packed
presentations. Ed, the President of Barks Communications, is the author of
Face the Press with Confidence: The Media Interview Companion and
Keep the Audience on Your Side: The Public Speaking Companion.
His firm also operates Barkscomm.com, the Internet's Communications Training
Resource, at http://www.barkscomm.com.
He can be reached at (540) 955-0600 or at
ebarks@barkscomm.com.
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