Here's how you can conquer nervousness and anxiety when presenting as a project manager.
As a project manager, presenting can be a daunting task, especially when nerves and anxiety come into play. It's not just about sharing information; it's about doing so confidently to inspire your team and stakeholders. Understanding how to conquer nervousness is key to delivering effective presentations and driving your project's success. With the right strategies, you can transform anxiety into enthusiasm, turning what could be an overwhelming experience into an opportunity to showcase your leadership and communication skills.
The foundation of a confident presentation is thorough knowledge of your subject matter. Dive deep into every aspect of your project, ensuring you can answer questions and provide insights without hesitation. This mastery not only boosts your confidence but also establishes your credibility with your audience. Remember, your team looks to you for guidance; showing that you're well-versed in the details of the project can reassure them of its viability and your capability as a leader.
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Rani Doyle
Principal at KPMG US IPO readiness and governance strategies
Very simply -- work hard so that your presentation is going to be really useful to those who hear it: You will get there by being on topic, delivering new and strategic insights (meaning you have to do research and ask yourself good questions about what it means), and engaging in ways that are designed to connect (crisp, clear, cognizant of your audience). With the hard work done, you will know that your presentation is going to be strategically helpful and interesting to those you are engaging with. Doing all this work from a place of providing great service and value, as best as you can, will make you calm and confident and win your audience over.
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Claudina Galvão
Diretora de negócios na empresa RH PERSONAL | Atendimento ao cliente, Análise de negócios
Quando o profissional conhece profundamente o produto ou serviço que vende, domina qualquer apresentação de projeto. De todos os anos de experiencia que possuo me sinto capacitada e consigo evidenciar esses conhecimentos em qualquer apresentação.
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Ayat A.Mahdi
"Senior Architect | BIM Coordinator | Bringing Innovation to Architectural Projects with BIM Expertise | Sustainable Designer | Heritage Researcher | PhD Candidate | Lecturer@UMST | 3D Visualization Expert | RACP"
As a project manager, practice thoroughly beforehand to boost confidence. Focus on the message and its importance to the audience. Use breathing techniques to stay calm and maintain a positive mindset. Engage with the audience through eye contact and clear, structured communication. Remember, preparation and a confident demeanour will enhance your presentation delivery significantly.
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Hygor Drumond
Mechanical Engineer | Key Account | Business Development | Stakeholder Relationship | Sales & Application Engineer | Technical Drawing | CRM | Heat Transfer Expert | Strategic Sales Management
Ter domínio pleno sobre o assunto que apresento, sempre me deu tranquilidade para palestrar e apresentar sem medo porém, já apresentei projetos fora da minha área de atuação e de conforto, e que mesmo tendo estudado muito sobre, não poderia me apresentar como expert. nesses casos acho importante salientar qual a sua área de atuação e quem é o seu especialista sobre aquele assunto. Desta forma, transparecendo honestidade, o espectador, se sente mais confiante, mesmo sem que você domine o assunto
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SANJAY A R
Project Intern @ INCOIS | Btech in AI and data science
Put in the effort to ensure your presentation adds genuine value to your audience: Stay focused on the topic, offer fresh and strategic insights (which entails thorough research and insightful questioning), and aim to connect meaningfully with your listeners (being concise, clear, and mindful of their needs). Once you've put in the hard work, you'll be confident that your presentation is strategically beneficial and engaging for your audience. Approach this with a commitment to deliver exceptional service and value, knowing it will instill calm and confidence, and effectively win over your audience.
Repetition is the mother of skill, and this holds true for presentations. Regular practice helps you internalize your material, refine your delivery, and anticipate potential questions. Consider rehearsing in front of a mirror to monitor your body language or recording yourself to evaluate tone and pacing. This can help you become more aware of non-verbal cues that either enhance or detract from your message, allowing you to make necessary adjustments before the actual presentation.
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Rajul Kastiya
35K+Linkedin Fam l Aspire to Inspire I Empowering Professionals to Excel I Corporate Trainer I Soft Skills & Leadership Skills Trainer I Communication Skills Trainer I Campus to Corporate Trainer
3P's can ensure a flawless confident presentation. They are Practice, practice and practice. Take care of the following points before your presentation - 1. Start visualising your success days before the actual presentation,to the smallest detail like the way you're presenting, your attire, your audience , their desired applause & expressions, the actual location, etc. 2. Practice in front of the mirror and if possible at the actual location 3. Record yourself during the dry run and seek feedback from family , friends and trusted colleagues about 2 aspects a. Your content and the confidence in which you're presenting b. Your voice, tone, gestures and postures. Practice makes progress, so keep practicing to ace your presentation
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Gunjan Sharma
Senior Faculty | Soft Skills and Communication Trainer |Experienced ESL Trainer | Authority in Effective Writing | Content Development🐬
Set aside time each day to practice mini-presentations. Choose a topic related to your project or something of interest to your team. Practice delivering these presentations aloud, focusing on clarity, structure, and engaging delivery.
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Kulubya Brian
Young Expert .Water | Forestry | Bio based construction | Environmentalist | Insects | Starthub Africa alumni | Public speaking | Critical Thinker | Sales & Marketing
As they say practice makes perfect, it is never right to present something that you had just received a few minutes ago, it is always a good idea to dedicate enough time in understanding how your audience may react or perceive your presentation. Sometimes putting ourselves in the shoes of those that we are presenting for is the only solution we needs. By practicing this , you are actually building your entire presentation backwards.
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Rebecca Byerly
Educational Consultant
As an educational project manager, my presentations are about relationships and relevance. I spend time having conversations before presentations to find the needs of my participants. I put in the work to make sure that what I give my clients is professional and relevant. Then I present as if it is a conversation, reading the room to make on the spot adjustments if needed and provide built in time for participant response and reflection. Connection is the key, it will help you and your participants fell more comfortable.
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Hygor Drumond
Mechanical Engineer | Key Account | Business Development | Stakeholder Relationship | Sales & Application Engineer | Technical Drawing | CRM | Heat Transfer Expert | Strategic Sales Management
Além de realizar praticas de apresentação a sós, apresentar pequenos temas ou assuntos mais aprofundados a colegas de trabalho, apresentam um excelente resultado, pois você além de treinar para a apresentação, também tem um feedback imediato sobre como você está apresentando aquele tema, se as palavras estão confusas, se o assunto está mal estruturado, se está usando termos muito nichados e que por si só, já precisariam de um explicação prévia.
Stress management techniques can significantly reduce physical symptoms of nervousness. Techniques such as deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or even a short walk before presenting can calm your nerves. It's also helpful to establish a pre-presentation routine that gets you into the right mindset, whether that's listening to music, meditating, or visualizing a successful outcome. Find what works for you and make it a part of your preparation process.
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Hygor Drumond
Mechanical Engineer | Key Account | Business Development | Stakeholder Relationship | Sales & Application Engineer | Technical Drawing | CRM | Heat Transfer Expert | Strategic Sales Management
Acredito que o maior fator de contribuição para o estresse seja o desconhecido e o medo de ser taxado como menor ou menos competente. Por conta disso, sempre tive firme em minhas apresentações que somos todos humanos, e nada faz com que sejamos de fato, inferiores ou piores que alguém. Isso sempre me ajudou a nivelar as pessoas que estavam me assistindo. Pois eu sabia que independente do que acontece ali, sairíamos da mesma maneira como entramos, iguais!
Engaging your audience transforms a monologue into a dialogue, creating a more interactive and less intimidating environment. Ask questions, encourage participation, or use hands-on demonstrations to involve your audience. This not only makes your presentation more memorable but also redirects focus away from you and onto the content, helping to alleviate some of the pressure you might feel as the sole focal point.
Visual aids such as slides, charts, or models can enhance your presentation and provide a visual anchor for your audience. They can also serve as cues for you, ensuring you stay on track and cover all necessary points. However, avoid overloading your slides with text or complex graphics that can distract or confuse the audience. Instead, use them to complement your speech and highlight key information.
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Syneang Sek
Information Management Coordinator
As the project manager, it is crucial to prioritize the well-being of our team and ensure that they are truly engaged in their work. From my experience leading teams, I have always emphasized the importance of ensuring that team members understand their roles and responsibilities while also fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. I firmly believe that when people learn, they evolve. Effective communication has been a cornerstone in my approach. I have found that clear and open communication is not only key to problem-solving but also essential for achieving our production goals.
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Davis Hagood II
Versatile Project Coordinator, specialized in Data Administration and Analytics
One thing I’ve learned as a software project manager is this cardinal rule: When demoing, never click somewhere for the first time. This applies both in the sense that you should be extremely prepared for any demo, and that you shouldn’t be swayed out of your planned demonstration by crowd questions. Instead, anticipate what some questions will be, and plan to hit those as part of your demonstration, if possible. Additionally, if the audience asks questions beyond the scope of the demonstration, it’s always better to say “not today” than to end up somewhere you haven’t clicked.
After each presentation, take time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors who can provide constructive criticism. Use this information to refine your approach for future presentations. Continuous improvement not only makes you a better presenter but also builds self-confidence over time as you see your progress and become more comfortable in the role of a project manager.
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Sajal Tiwari
Protein Characterization Scientist
A mentor told me that when you present a data, you need to own it. A good presentation comes from 1. Owing the data you present, 2. Keeping your speech neutral, loud and clear, 3. Keeping eye contact, 4. Keeping confidence in the work you have put in. A good presentation is culmination of one's constant reading and learning.
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