The Brief:

The client was a graduate in their early 30s, and identified as a high-potential individual by their organisation. The client felt that they were poor at presenting and experienced nerves that manifested as panic attacks in the weeks leading up to making a presentation.

The Intervention:

The main focus of the coaching programme was to support the client in building a greater sense of self-confidence. The first step involved exploring, and subsequently removing, the story that was playing in their mind, namely that a confident and capable presenter doesn’t experience nerves.

Building strategies for success included:

  • Learning how to manage stress in the heat of the audience gaze
  • Creating separation between ‘me’ and ‘my role’ – attacks aren’t personal
  • Engaging an audience and finding the friendly faces
  • Learning to see nerves as ‘friends’ that sharpen the performance
  • Being clear on role and purpose, and identifying which ‘hat’ they are wearing.

The Outcomes:

The client successfully made a number of significant, high profile presentations. They were promoted into a new strategic communications role, with responsibility for facing-off against the media and appearing on both radio and television. When the client hosted a major launch event, one of the journalists covering the event approached them and commented that they did not know how they were able to be so confident: that in the same situation they would have been a nervous wreck.