Speaking to large groups: overcoming fear
I actually remember a time when I used to get nervous about speaking to large groups of people.
By large groups I mean over about 30 (which I think is probably still enough to be framed as almost a conversation in a team context).
There are two numbers you'll see people reference when speaking to large numbers of people. There's the potential list of people (imagine this as the invite list) and then there are the people that actually turned up.
In Town Halls and professional contexts you're usually looking at around 50% of people as soon as you go over the 2000 attendee mark.
So, I am not nervous about speaking any more (I think the most people I have spoken to in a professional but non-event setting is c.1600) and these are some tips to think about if you do still have the problem of nerves.
1) Most people listening are not actually wanting to listen to you.
They are there because they feel they have to be. This takes the pressure off you and you should actually be trying to get people to listen!
2) Don't over practise and make sure you know and believe what you are saying.
Understand the topics you need to talk about, the important details but don't script down to the level of individual words.
3) Talk in your usual manner and style.
People will know if you're trying to fake it and it's way easier to recover if you're using your breathing, voice and style that you usually use.
4) If it's a boring topic don't be shy about using analogies.
You could be talking about the most boring topic in the world but if you can bring in useful analogies or even amusing ones then people will actually listen.
5) Speak in the style of an active listener.
Now this one might seem strange but if you are saying something that is sad or important you should pause to let people understand it, think on it, etc.
You wont have people answering back (unless it's a really informal setting) but it will give people time to process and it will give the session more of a feeling of you addressing people directly.
There are some really good books on speaking (including really, really old ones). If you're interested it's well worth looking into the theory.
#ExecutiveCommunication #PublicSpeaking #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching
