Causes of Stage Fright

One fear of speaking in public as a leader is stage fright.

This, "refers to an anxiety, fear or persistent phobia related to performance in front of an audience. This form of anxiety can precede or accompany participation in any activity involving public self-presentation. The condition is technically referred to asGlossophobia--a fear of failure, poor preparation, inadequate positive repetition and persistent negative thoughts" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stage_fright).

When we stand in front of people, we can be temporarily immobilized. Some times, even the very thought of even having to make a brief announcement or speak is so overwhelming that we will avoid being put in such a situation.

Like wikipedia says, "stage fright is not a terminal condition; it is merely another obstacle one must work to overcome." What can we do to overcome this fear? Stage fright can drive us to PRAY! PRAY--four principles that have been very helpful in my own speaking career. Let me deal with two principles first--P and R:

(1) PREPARATION: I get stage fright if I am not well prepared. If I am prepared for my speech, I come to the podium with great confidence. How do I prepare for the speaking engagement?

I find out who I am speaking to. If it is to a group of teenagers, my delivery and approach to the topic would be different if I were to address a group of business executives in the boardroom. The examples I use must be age-appropriate. So must the language and jokes I use.

I make sure I get my facts right so that if anyone were to ask questions, I would be well prepared to answer them. I ensure that I check my facts and sources. If I am quoting statistics, I note who conducted the research. If opinions are expressed, I make sure that I communicate these as opinions and not facts just to "beef up" my position.

I make sure I know where I want to lead my listeners to. If it is to communicate facts, then I try to give them something they can easily remember. In training young people from different cultures, I make extensive use of hand motions. Even now, as I write on how to overcome stage frieght, I use the word PRAY to help you remember how to manage stage fright. It makes things simple for my audience, and me! If I want to ask for a commitment from my audience, then I must show in my speech why that commitment is important, what the benefits of making this commitment are, and must prepare in advance what actions I would like to see take place in the lives of my listeners at the end of my speech. For example, if I am speaking to young people about remaining sexually pure before marriage and about the dangers of cohabitation, I would draw the attention of my listeners to the Rutgers University research on the negative consequences of cohabitation. I would tell them about ways to save themselves for marriage. And, at the end of my speech, I would ask them to come forward to the front as an indication of their desire to remain sexually pure for their future spouse.

(2) REHERSE: After writing my script, I reherse it both in my mind and out aloud. I imagine in my mind how I will deliver my speech, and, in the early years of my speaking career, practiced my arm and body motions, until it came naturally and appropriately. I have even asked for feedback from trusted friends who will be honest with me. They critique the content of my speech and my stage presence. They feedback to me areas where I can improve. Repeated practice helps me gain confidence, knowing that I have PREPARED well, and have also REHERSED many times.

How would you apply these first two principles in your life?