Presentation Myth #1: Extroverts are better speakers.

Baloney. Sadly, extroverts are given extra points as being better and more natural leaders, salespeople and speakers. That’s just not true. It’s easier for extroverts to talk! That’s it. What comes out of an extrovert’s mouth is another story. Refer to Susan Cain’s Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking for research that substantiates our claim.

Presentation Myth #2: You have to have all the answers.

Not only do you NOT have to have all the answers; you’ll never have all the answers. If you’re asked questions that you cannot answer you can 1) delegate to someone on your team or board that has the info, or 2) say, “I will need to email or call with that answer and I’ll do so in the next 24 hours and then you follow through. [Exception: when you’re doing a financial report to your stockholders you do need a robust knowledge of your data and you need to anticipate all types of questions you could be asked.]

Presentation Myth #3: You shouldn’t have any nervousness.

Wrong again. Nervousness equals adrenaline equals energy. You want to be nervous – you just want to grab that extra energy and channel it in a positive way. When I coach my clients we work on HOW to direct the adrenaline away from The Negative and use the extra “juice” to enhance the presentation.

Don’t let your speeches get hijacked by these common misconceptions. Your audiences need to hear what you have to say. You’re the expert.

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© Karen Cortell Reisman, M.S., author of 3 books and President of Speak For Yourself®, works with decision makers on how to speak with gravitas. It’s all in how you speak for yourself. Karen also speaks about her cousin, Albert Einstein, in a message about hope, resilience and brassieres.

Read more at www.SpeakForYourself.com/blog.

Did you know that we also work 1:1 with decision makers on overcoming the fear of public speaking? Click here: https://www.karencortellreisman.com/seminar-what-i-didnt-say.html