Time will test you. People will test you. Opportunities will test you. How? By putting you under pressure and seeing how you perform there. Anyone can speak well when the audience is easy. But how do you speak with unshakable confidence when the situation is tough? Let me give you four tips for speaking confidently under pressure that you can use to prepare for your next high-pressure speaking engagement.
#Tip 1: Mental Toughness
It cannot be overstated that maintaining mental toughness is absolutely crucial when speaking under pressure. Many people focus so much on just the information or knowledge they need to convey that they forget about their own mental state. Mental toughness means being able to face challenging situations with confidence and resilience.
How do you develop mental toughness? One way is to practice visualisation. Think about your upcoming speaking engagement, and visualise yourself performing with confidence and ease. Also, remind yourself of past successes and use them as a source of inspiration. When you believe in your abilities, you’ll be better equipped to handle any pressure that comes your way.
#Tip 2: Audience Connection
When you’re speaking to high-level leaders, it’s important to establish a deep connection with them. You can do this by using effective storytelling techniques, enhancing your credibility, and expanding on big-picture ideas.
Effective storytelling techniques have the ability to establish a deep connection with your audience. For instance, you may share a personal story that illustrates the point you’re trying to make. This helps to humanise your presentation and makes it more relatable.
Credibility enhancement involves providing evidence to back up your claims. For example, you might cite a study or survey that supports your argument. This helps to establish your expertise, which in turn makes your audience more likely to trust you.
Finally, big-picture idea expansion requires you to take your audience beyond the immediate context of your presentation. You might ask questions that prompt them to think about the long-term implications of your topic. By considering the long-term implications of your topic, your audience definitely will be able to connect with you on a deeper level.
#Tip 3: Spontaneous Speaking
When you’re speaking under pressure, it’s important to be able to think on your feet. Spontaneous speaking involves being able to generate ideas and articulate them clearly and concisely.
One method of honing this skill is to practice extemporaneous speaking. This involves giving a presentation without notes or a script. Rather than using notes or a script, you depend on your expertise and quick-thinking abilities, which can be extremely challenging at first, but with practice, you’ll gradually become more at ease with it.
Another way to develop spontaneous speaking skills is to take part in improv classes. Improv involves creating scenes and characters on the fly, which can be a great way to build confidence and develop quick thinking skills.
#Tip 4: Powerful Body Language
Your own body language can make or break your presentation, as it plays a pivotal role in shaping how your audience perceives you and the information you’re delivering. With effective use of body language, you can influence the audience and easily lead them where you want to take them.
For instance, maintaining eye contact with your audience can help to establish trust and credibility. Using open gestures and a relaxed posture can help to convey confidence and openness. And using appropriate facial expressions can help to convey emotion and engage your audience.
Speaking under pressure can be challenging, but with these four tips for speaking, you’ll be equipped to handle any situation with confidence and skill. With practice, you’ll become a master of high-pressure speaking. Follow these tips for speaking and succeed in your career! All the Best!
