“She doesn’t come across as confident…”
“He seems extremely nervous…”
These statements represent some of the audience feedback we review before coaching presenters. Whether audience perception is accurate or not, perception matters… and it influences the outcome of our presentations.
So what can we do about it?
The Two Minute Solution
In her popular TED presentation, Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are, Amy Cuddy, a Harvard professor and researcher, has a two minute solution that can both influence how audiences perceive us and how we feel when delivering a presentation:
In short, adopting a power pose for two minutes will result in…
1. An increased level of testosterone, which helps us feel more confident about risks we take
2. A lowered level of cortisol, which results in reduced stress levels.
Translation
Before your presentation, go to the restroom and strike a power pose for two minutes. A power pose is all about making yourself big and strong. Think Wonder Woman or Super Man.
Then stand solid on both feet during the presentation. You will feel more confident and less stressed during what feels like a risky situation – delivering a presentation! And most importantly, you will come across as more confident to your audience.
In the words of Amy Cuddy, “Don’t fake it till you make it. Fake it till you become it.”
P.S. Do you have employees who could use personalized coaching? Give us a call and learn more about our coaching programs designed specifically for leaders who need to take their presentation skills to the next level.
