“I can present to my peers and colleagues without any problems, but my senior leaders, or others I don’t know, I have a hard time”.
“I know my stuff, it’s just that when I present, nothing I plan to say comes out!”
I want to help you with a few tips if you are struggling to present to people smarter than you.
When I taught Public Speaking for 7 years at the University, 50% of the time when someone said this and I asked them what they did to prepare, it was little to nothing. That’s the first start.
When you feel the people you are presenting to are smarter than you, better than you, you fumble when you talk.
You don’t get your point across.
You can’t stay on topic.
You are embarrassed about your accent. (BIG ONE!!)
You feel intimidated by status.
Here is what you should do to shift the way you think about this and begin to present with impact.
If you prepare and still don’t get your point across, center your audience and channel your energy.
If you say things that are off topic, create an outline ahead of time.
If you are afraid of rejection or feeling embarrassed and ramble, visualize and prepare your mind. Download a FREE copy of the Confident Communicator affirmations to help you.
If you are conscious of your accent, slow down and believe in yourself.
If you are extremely hard on yourself, get coaching in Emotional Intelligence.
Remember, the people you are presenting to are just like you. Begin to remove the shackles of societal expectations.
Build confidence in your skill development.
Learn to win with strategic guidance and coaching support.
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Monique Russell is the host of the Bridge to U: Understanding and Black Unity podcast, inspirational teacher, professional speaker, author of The Ultimate Speaker’s Guide, Intentional Motherhood: Who Said it Would Be Easy, and Founder of Clear Communication Solutions, LLC – a global communications training coaching and consulting firm in Atlanta, GA. Contact us today to learn more and get support.