It's not what you know, it's how you SHOW what you know

Is fear of speaking in public holding you back at work? 

If a company has a great product or service and NO ONE knows about it, the value of that product or service plummets and it most likely won’t succeed.  This is why companies spend a fortune on marketing.  This helps raise awareness and increases the likelihood of increased sales.

What does marketing have to do presentation skills?  

Consider the scenario when a person is sitting in a meeting and has a great idea that can add real value, but they’re too nervous about speaking up because they lack either the skillset to articulate their idea or they’re too worried about being ridiculed.  This is known as Katagelophobia, the fear of looking foolish.  

The value of their knowledge is lost and their personal brand value drops because even sitting silently in a meeting is communicating, other people will form opinions about them, consciously or unconsciously.

When we think about presenting and speaking in business, the image that comes to mind is standing up with a PowerPoint slide deck often accompanied by an overwhelming fear and a wish to be anywhere else. 

The reality is we’re presenting in so many different ways when at work.

Examples include speaking to customers, having a skype call, sales meeting, annual appraisal (giving or receiving), project meeting, team meetings and countless other examples.  

In other words, we are presenting more often than we think we are.  The question is, what message are we sending through our verbal and non-verbal cues. 

The way we communicate is our MARKETING CAMPAIGN for our ideas and if it’s not working effectively it’s time to change the communication strategy.

If you struggle or worry about speaking up in work situations, consider the following tips:

·      Believe that your ideas are worth exploring even if not adopted

·      Consider the purpose of your message to ensure you don’t ramble (what do you want other people to THINK about         what you’re saying?)

·      Listen to how other people present their ideas

·      Raise your hand slightly and say, “I have an idea….”

·      Email your idea ahead of a meeting and then be prepared to talk about it

·      Make sure you give eye contact to everyone in the room (don’t look down)

·      Watch your body language, sit upright and lean forward a little when speaking

·      Make sure your voice is loud enough for everyone to hear

·      Structure your message so it has clarity

·      Agree with other people and use the word AND….  “I agree with you AND this is how I see the way forward”

·      Emphasis the key words in each sentence so your key message is heard (people don’t hear every word we say)

Tips for Managers

If you’re a manager running a team meeting or a project meeting, NOTICE the quieter people who aren’t contributing and either invite them to speak up, or ask for their opinion after the meeting if you sense that they would be uncomfortable speaking in front of a group of people.