Page 42 - midJersey Business - March 2015

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Professional Development

the line or if it’s the low-
stakes company picnic and

you’re introducing the en-
tertainment, most people

feel a strike of fear in the
chest when they know they

have to stand up in front

of a crowd and speak. The
knees weaken, the palms

sweat, and palpitations
rise, especially as the

podium looms closer.
Like the experience of

many, the little gremlins
(those creatures we invent

to terrorize ourselves)
in Larry’s head were

chanting a worst-case
scenario: “You’ll look

silly and sound stupid.”
Suddenly, he felt weak and

defensive rather than like

the expert he was on his
subject. Physiologically,

his body kicked into light or ight mode;
his adrenaline rose, quickening his pulse
CONQUERING
and urging him to run out the door rather
than to meet that vague, smirking aggres-
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Take control of stage fright,
sor: the audience.
rather than let it control you | The good news is that we are what we
By Ruth W. Crocker, PhD
think we are, and, therefore, the possibil-
ity of turning down the volume on those

convincing gremlins and at least appear- arry’s boss was so pleased lashing back to the nightmare he had
ing to be strong, comfortable, and relaxed with his work performance in junior high when he dreamed he gave

is obtainable.
that he asked Larry to give a science report to his entire class and
The following are some suggestions a 15-minute presentation to forgot to wear clothes.

gleaned from public speakers at all levels the entire department of 25
Even Jerry Seinfeld quipped that public
of fear and experience. The goal is to people. Larry felt conident speaking is the No. 1 fear for most people.

learn the tricks of the trade that will en- Labout his work but not about standing up “If you go to a funeral, you’re better of

able you to take control of stage fright, and talking about it. In fact, it was the last in the casket than doing the eulogy,” he
rather than let it control you—whether thing he wanted to do.
joked. Unfortunately, this is the senti-

speaking at an industry conference or to a “Everyone will be laughing at me when ment of many, including Larry.
group of coworkers.
they see me up there,” thought Larry,
It doesn’t seem to matter if a job is on

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