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Do you suffer from stage fright? The signs may not be so obvious to your audience.
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Even the most seasoned speakers can get a bout of stage fright from time to time, so don’t worry if you are feeling jitters before giving a presentation at work. Most of the time, your coworkers will have no idea that you’re nervous—or even terrified—because the feelings that you are experiencing are mostly imperceptible to anyone else. Your hot face may not appear to be red and your sweaty palms will not be seen by audience members.
However, there are two kinds of nervousness signs that can be seen by your audience—rigidity and inhibition. Rigidity behaviors include stiff arms, walking like a mummy and clinging to the lectern for dear life, while inhibitory behaviors are related to a speaker’s delivery—such as speaking too softly or with a monotone voice, as well as using a lot of “ums” and “ahs” when you speak.
The good news is, even the worst case of stage fright can be used to your advantage. If you feel any symptoms, channel that nervous energy into your message and performance—which will appear to the audience as confidence and enthusiasm, not fear and trembling.
Sources:
Beaver, Dennis. (1998). Got stage fright? It's a common feeling, but one that can be turned into confidence more easily than you realize. ABA Banking Journal 90(2).
Rolls, Judith A. (1998). Facing the fears associated with professional speaking. Business Communication Quarterly 61(2).
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