|
Find your degree. Advance your career. Begin a new life. |  |
Overcoming Public Speaking Fears for Business Management Professionals |
|
|
May 10, 2005
by Sarah Clark
Education Factor Columnist
Most business management jobs will require that you give presentations, lead meetings, and deliver speeches. Many in the business management world find the idea of public speaking terrifying. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to address your fear of public speaking.
Don't let anxiety over addressing your colleagues in staff meetings serve as a barrier between you and your professional growth. Follow these tips to get started on conquering your fear of public speaking.
Join a Public Speaking Club.
Speaking clubs can provide a supportive, non-threatening environment in which to develop presentation or speech skills. Toastmasters is a popular club with locations throughout the U.S.
Seek out Opportunities to Speak.
Opportunities often come up to speak informally to small groups of people. Addressing your child's class on career day, offering a suggestion or comment during a meeting with colleagues, or giving a presentation to a friendly client are a few ways to practice your speaking skills in a less intimidating environment. Taking advantage of opportunities such as these will prepare you for more formal speaking engagements that may come your way as a business management professional.
Try to Relax Before a Speaking Engagement.
Taking deep breaths, stretching, or just taking a quiet moment to meditate can help you feel and appear more relaxed when you speak.
Be Confident.
One of the best ways to boost your confidence going into a speaking engagement is to be thoroughly prepared, eliminating any possibility of experiencing anxiety induced by unfamiliarity with a topic.
Employing these tips can help you work toward overcoming your fear of public speaking. Rest assured you are not alone in this battle; many business management professionals have beaten their fears and gone on to become effective, confident communicators.
About the Author
Sarah Clark is a freelance writer based in Arlington, Virginia.
|
|
Additional Articles |
|
Law Schools
Graduate Schools
|
|
|
|
