Product Answers #2: How can I avoid being nervous when talking to a larger group of stakeholders?
This question came from a product manager, that has multiple years of working experience. The person told me that she is always very nervous when presenting to a larger group or talking to senior stakeholders at the board level. She was frustrated not being able to convince her audience with her arguments.
Being invited to speak to a group of peers or important stakeholders is an opportunity to present yourself and your product. Its an important part of your job and you should get confident with it over time. Being nervous about it is a sign you are taking it serious. Everyone is nervous when talking about things that matter when people are looking at us. Some more and some less.
To turn this nervous anxiety into ‘I am ready to do this’, you need to prepare your mind and your arguments.
I learned from a professional piano player, that being nervous happens to her even after 20 years of experience on stages all over the world. When the spot is on us, we get excited and our heart starts pumping faster. The adrenalin rush kicks in and there is no way to completely avoid this.
The piano player told me, that professional musicians, athletes, and speakers - all use a similar method. This method is not able to avoid being nervous, but it can help you shifting the point of peak nervous to before you are on stage. She does a simulation of the performance in her head before it actually takes place. She pictures all the little details. From how she walks each single step onto the stage, what sound the stairs make while she climbs them. How she sits down in front of the piano, streched her arms and puts her fingers on the piano keys. How the air smells and how the audience sounds, right before the spot goes on. How she plays her part and how positive the audience reacts.
The excitement and adrenaline get going and you experience the peak of nervousness. Just not on stage, but days, hours or minutes before the actual performance. If you keep repeating it, the rush on stage is way milder. You are able to focus on your message and your performance. You can manage down the level of excitement to a degree where it helps you staying focused instead of getting crushed by it.
The method also helps you to practice your arguments. Harden your arguments and see if they make sense the way you plan to present them. Test run your presentation to see if the information and style match to your expectation. Take a good friend or colleague that you know will tell you when it’s not good. Practice with them and get their feedback to improve. A strong appearance is not about improvising on stage, its training and improving beforehand.