How many times have you watched presenters walk up to the lectern and immediately begin their speech or presentation, their eyes glued to their notes or their script without so much as a glance at their audience?

Establishing composure is something rarely, if ever, discussed because most people are so overwhelmed by nervousness and fear that their primary goal is to get it over with as quickly as possible.

Instead of dwelling on your fear, why not dwell on the positive and allow your nervousness to work for you?  Nervousness is excellent.  That extra rush of adrenaline can do wonders for your presentation.  It can make your talk exhilarating – it can give you an edge.  Eliminating nervousness is not the answer.  The answer lies in learning how to control the nervousness because once you gain that control, you will discover composure even <b>before</b> you open your mouth to speak.

Those who tell me they don’t feel nervous or don’t experience that adrenaline rush worry me.  Public speaking is a live venue and being overly confident is a mistake:  something can go wrong.  However, if you are able to establish composure before beginning your speech or presentation, you will discover that you will have more control over your delivery than you ever thought possible.  If something then goes wrong, you will be in a better state to rectify the situation.

Many of my clients tell me that they ‘relax’ after the first five minutes or so of their presentation.  Guess what?  Your audience will not give you those five minutes to ‘warm up.’  You are being judged the moment you open your mouth to speak; therefore, it is crucial to establish confidence for yourself and for your audience with your opening statement, not five minutes later.

When you approach that lectern, stand up straight, hold your head up high, and walk with purpose.  Upon reaching the lectern, lay your notes or your script down and look at your audience, scanning the room from one side to the other as you smile at those in attendance.  This is referred to as acknowledging your audience.

Smiling is so important in your acknowledgement – if you take my advice and look into the faces of those in your audience, you will discover that many will smile back at you.  You will then be in a marvelous position to be able to talk <b>to</b> your audience and <b>not at</b> them.   On the other hand, if your face is frozen in fear, how confident will your audience feel?

Remember as well that once at that lectern, you are the ‘top-dog;’ you are the chief; you’re the boss.  And, because you’re the boss, you start when you are ready.  They will wait.

If you have ever attended a classical concert, the conductor will not begin until his orchestra is ready and the hall is quiet.  He may stand there for a full minute, waiting.  He is the maestro. He will start when he is ready; and, you have the same option or right.  You will be surprised at how much better you will feel if you will take just a few seconds to scan the room before you begin speaking.  [Please note that there are limitations.  Standing there for 2 minutes is not an option.]

So, in your quest for gaining composure:

1.  Approach the lectern with confidence;

2.  Acknowledge your audience with a smile before opening your mouth to speak; and,

3.  Believe in yourself.  If you cannot believe in your ability, why should anyone else?

In Part 2 of Establishing Composure in Public Speaking, I will discuss the most important thing you should do before you even begin that walk to the lectern.