Are you someone who has many ideas in their head, but has trouble verbalising them when you find yourself in a conference room?
You’re not alone. Many people have anxiety when it comes to large meetings or even gatherings of relatively medium-sized groups. The good news is that you can overcome this anxiety with practice, and you can put forth your ideas, just like everyone else.
The key is to fake it until you make it and prepare as much as possible. Try these few ideas:
- Use positive affirmations before you enter a meeting booth or other conference situation.
- Prepare your ideas and write them down in bullet points, reminding you of the main areas as you speak.
- Remind yourself that your ideas are just as valid as everyone else’s, and deserve to be heard.
- Force yourself to speak up, loud and clearly. This will increase your confidence.
- Sit upright, with a good posture, and take deep breaths to calm your nerves.
- If you need to make a presentation, prepare it carefully, check your equipment, and practice it a few times beforehand.
- Fake the confidence – try it, it works!
The next time you need to go into the conference room or sit at the boardroom leather chairs with a group of people, try the tips we’ve mentioned above. Before you know it, you’ll be conversing with ease!
Do you have any other boardroom confidence tips to share?