Company leaders and industry experts may often be called to speak on a regular basis during weekly or monthly company meetings, annual industry conventions, even sometimes giving an intelligent press statement at a moment's notice on behalf of the organization.
However, sharing information with a medium-to-large-sized crowd may be a bit unnerving if you're an introverted manager. That's why 14 Forbes Human Resources Council members offered their top tips to help leaders build confidence and reduce anxiety as they prepare for the next venue.
Forbes Human Resources Council members share their ideas.
Photos courtesy of individual members.1. Prepare Talking Points
Introverted presenters should prepare brief talking points that are not too wordy and cover the main points. It is easier to rehearse, remember and refer to speaking points compared to paragraphs, especially during actual presentations. Using all caps for keywords helps maintain focus and help get the speaker back on track if nervousness sets in. Also, including examples is a good way to feel more at ease. - Niki Jorgensen, Insperity
2. Join Toastmasters
Join a group like Toastmasters where you learn to present your ideas to a group before you are put in a situation where your poor performance may impact your future - Dinesh Sheth, Green Circle Life
3. Focus On Sharing Your Passion
Let your passion guide the way! Introverts are known to come alive when they are talking about a topic they are truly comfortable with and passionate about. By adequately preparing and focusing on the information you are sharing and not on the faces in the room, your confidence will increase and you will most likely shine without added pressure. - Tiersa Smith-Hall, The Hartling Group
4. Deeply Know Your Content
The key is to know our content. When we are an expert on a topic, it's much easier to convey the knowledge that we're comfortable with sharing to a group. Practice makes perfect! I used to hate presenting, but the more I did it over the years, the more it didn’t bother me. I find a focal point in the middle of the room and I speak with my team instead of speaking at them. - Christina Hobbs, American Queen Voyages
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5. Define Speaking As a Service Opportunity
View your presentation as a service to others to help with nervousness. You have something important to share with others or you would not have been asked to speak. Focus on the message and being your authentic and whole self during the presentation to help you stay grounded. Practice in advance with someone you trust, and even play out all the worst-case scenarios to prepare. You've got this. - Dedra Ward, Conduent
6. Pick A Relatable Story To Share
Tell a story during the presentation that relates to the information you want to share. Stories are remembered more than straight data and it makes the presenter more genuine and relatable. You need to make sure the story conveys the right message for your audience. Using humor often helps. Rehearse the story with coworkers or friends to make sure it resonates and has the intended impact. - Lynne Marie Finn, Broadleaf Results
7. Be Empowered By Your Inner Strength
Who you are as an individual is your strength. Popular culture talks a lot about helping introverts get better in front of people and less time helping extroverts hush up. I'd say own your natural strengths and focus on that. If you're an introvert, do a great presentation as an introvert, whatever that means. - Elizabeth Roberts, eGenesis, Inc.
8. Rehearse Presentations
Anyone who is nervous about speaking in public can reduce stress levels by preparing in advance and knowing the content very well. Rehearsing the presentation will help get the speaker more comfortable with the topic, content and rhythm of the presentation. In addition, deep breathing techniques can lower the heart rate and reduce stress levels substantially before any presentation. - Chris Stanzione, 360 Talent, LLC
9. Create Your Own Presentation Content
The first step is being a part of the creation of the content you are presenting. Often, if you have input and help write it, there is less fear when presenting. Be prepared by trying to know the subject matter well enough that it becomes more of a conversation and less of a presentation. Always remember you are there to engage and educate the audience - Heather Smith, Flimp Communications
10. Don't Strive For Perfection
Remember that we are all human and it's not going to be the end of the world if you stumble over your words or have to take a minute to breathe and refocus on your message and presentation. In fact, most people actually appreciate authenticity far more than perfection. Once you allow yourself to make mistakes without self-punishment or worry, the pressure to be perfect disappears. Have fun! - Jenna Hinrichsen, Advanced RPO
11. Start With An Interactive Activity
If you aren't comfortable with public speaking, try beginning each meeting with an interactive activity or open-ended question to break the ice before diving into more formal topics. Asking co-workers for feedback either through a question or activity, then leading the presentation with that information in mind, is a great way to create a more comfortable atmosphere that still remains professional. - Laura Spawn, Virtual Vocations, Inc.
12. Create A Storyboard
Ill-timed interjections during presentations unnerve even the best of speakers, so begin by storyboarding, indexing your thoughts and building the presentation from the point of view of the listener. Practice for worst-case scenarios, rely on storytelling and present the executive summary first. Speak deliberately with pauses to check-in, add humor and focus on brief, yet powerful content delivery - Rohit Manucha, SIH AGH
13. Make The Presentation An Interactive Interview
Turn the presentation into an interview with someone asking pre-arranged questions to the presenter and facilitating questions or discussions for others. This works really well for hybrid meetings because the facilitator involves everyone and the presentation becomes interactive. While the context is the same, it might be easier for introverts to have a conversation rather than give a presentation. - Bontle Senne, Virgin Media UK
14. Simplify The Message
Whether speaking in front of a large group or a small one, the goal is still to connect and convey a message. First, lower the stakes and envision it as a one-to-one conversation. Next, distill your message down to its simplest form. Leverage stories to connect with the audience. Try the free PPT tool Presenter Coach to practice and get feedback on pace, tone, filler words and clarity. - Nicole Fernandes, Blu Ivy Group
