Coaching Cases | Public Speaking Anxiety

Common Symptoms

Before presenting:

Anxiety before presenting
Negativity thoughts and low self-confidence before presenting
Racing pulse
Rapid, shallow and uncontrollable breathing
Unclear thinking
Impaired sense of time
Dry mouth and tight throat
Trembling hands, knees, lips and voice
Muscle tension
Sweaty and cold hands
Nausea and uneasy feeling in the stomach
Loss of balance
Vision changes

Ways to Work with
‍The Case

The Box Technique

The Box breathing, also known as square breathing, is a technique used when taking slow, deep breaths. It is a very effective powerful stress reliever and can heighten performance and concentration. It’s also called four-square breathing.

Tell your Coachee to: "Close your eyes. Breathe in deeply by the nose for 4 seconds, hold it for 4 seconds, breathe out by the mouth for 4 seconds, hold it." [Repeat].

The Power Pose

Adopting the body posture of someone who is confident and powerful can generate feelings of confidence and power. Help your Coachee visualise his/her success, always focusing on your Coachee's strength and ability to handle challenging situations.

Acting

No great presentation is delivered off the cuff and every good presentation could be improved by better preparation. Preparation involves understanding the audience needs; brainstorming the topic from that perspective; clarifying a single message and structuring the supportive discussion. This preparation is fundamental to success.

Help your Coachee prepare and practice, as close as possible to real by trying to recreate in practice the atmosphere of the real performance as far as possible. Practice, practice, practice. You can record him/her to help visualise.

View Sources

The Impostor Syndrome: Becoming an Authentic Leader, by Harold Hillman, Chris Abernathy, et al

The Mindfulness Workbook for Addiction: A Guide to Coping with the Grief, Stress and Anger that Trigger Addictive Behaviors (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook), by Rebecca E. Williams PhD and Julie S. Kraft MA