The Worst Advice Speakers Get... And What They Should Be Told
Speakers get nervous. It's only natural. For most people, it is an opportunity on an important stage to make a good impression - or not! Sympathetic supporters try to help with what they think is good advice. Sometimes it is; but often it's not. In fact, some of the worst advice I've ever heard has been given to speakers by friends, family and colleagues. "Don't be nervous... you'll be great." When has telling people not to be nervous made them less nervous? It's like telling someone not to feel hot. You cannot just switch these sensations on and off. And telling someone suffering stage fright that they will be great is unhelpful or simply unheard. It's terrible advice because most people are already telling themselves, "I should not be so nervous." It simply reinforces their feeling of wrongness. Not only are they feeling nervous; they're feeling guilty for feeling that way! What a sure-fire way to erode self-confidence. Instead,...