Yep, you don’t love it.

Yep, you try to avoid it.

But as a leader you sometimes need to stand in front of a room and address your team, staff, the whole organization, or even a conference audience.

Unavoidable.

Joe is leaving and you’re expected as his manager, to say a few nice words. Joe has been working for the organization for 12 years so that’s the least that you can do.

New Year’s reception, you know that people expect a few words. Some things about the past year, and then something inspiring for the future.

All staff. Yes, it’s important to motivate and inspire staff on a regular base.

You might try to avoid speaking but you can’t.

So, you agree to speak at an event. And then your memory kicks in. Of course it doesn’t bring up these moments in which you shone as a speaker. No, your mind chooses those moments in which you – at least to your own standards – failed. Those moments in which your speech became the low point of the meeting.

You stumbled addressing Joe. You couldn’t remember important details.

Your talk at the New Year’s reception was way too long. Somehow you couldn’t stop talking although you could hear yourself rambling on and on.

Your presentation at an all-staff meeting feels so boring to you; it is probably because most of staff is staring at you or at the clock.

Public speaking – even to a small group – is a challenge for most people. But as a leader you know that’s part of the job.

Here are a few tips:

1. Don’t wing it
   Even if your whole talk is only a few minutes, don’t wing it. Start thinking about what you want to say in advance. And write down some key points.

2. Practice
   Find moments in your day to practice. While taking a shower or driving in your car, practice what you’re going to say. Some experts advice to practice in front of a mirror

3. Short and simple works best
   How many speeches have you attended that made you think, “I wish the speaker wasn’t done yet”? One time or two times? If you’re lucky. Often we’re relieved when a speaker finally stops. So, don’t belong to that category of speakers, keep it short and sweet.

4. Breathe, breathe, breathe
   Your breath helps you to relax.

5. Don’t force being funny
   Some people are naturals at telling jokes. They know where to pause and what will resonate with their audience. If you’re not good at being funny, don’t worry. Most people aren’t. But know that being funny is not your strength and skip it. You can use funny cartoons or videos.

6. Don’t read your speech or your Powerpoint
   Have a few cards with some keywords. And if you use Powerpoint: let the Powerpoint slides support your words, not be your words that you are repeating verbatim.

7. Concentrate on the opening and closing
   Your audience is most attentive at the beginning and the end of your talk. So, concentrate your preparation on those.
8. Don’t let your fear set the pace
   Most people speak too fast. It’s like by speaking faster the ordeal will be over sooner. And that’s true of course. But your purpose of speaking is not to be done with it as fast as possible. Don’t let fear rule your speech.