Episode 31: Managing Nervousness When You Present

April 9, 2025

During a recent workshop, one of the students asked me how to manage nervousness while presenting and during Q&A sessions. This is a common concern among students, whether in the classroom or while working as part of a case-solving team. Nervousness can significantly impact how students prepare themselves during the case resolution phase.

What is My Advice?

Prepping the First Few Sentences

One of the most common pieces of advice I offer is to prepare the opening lines you will use before entering the room. I recently came across a LinkedIn post that suggested avoiding phrases like "So, yeah!" as a way to begin. Instead, think those words in your head and focus on delivering valuable content right away. I always encourage my team members to rehearse their opening statements for presentations, and many find that this practice helps them relax and transition into their presentations more comfortably.

This approach is particularly practical during the resolution process. It works well when the resolution process allows team members to collaboratively build a solid understanding of the solution and the rationale behind it. Additionally, each team member needs to develop a deep understanding of the sections they are responsible for presenting. Ideally, if the resolution period is long enough, team members should become comfortable enough with the material to be interchangeable in their ability to present any section of the presentation.

In a previous episode, I introduced the Flip Chart Template. This template provides a way for all team members to access the information needed for creating the presentation. Based on feedback from my teams, it helps them feel more connected to the solution as a whole and enhances the comfort level of the entire team.

The Importance of Storytelling

An important aspect that has received positive feedback from team members over the years is the development of a cohesive narrative and a plan for how that narrative will be communicated. This story is crucial for several reasons. First, it helps create a more unified presentation with a storyline that enhances the audience's understanding of the material. As a result, presenters feel more confident, which in turn helps reduce their nerves.

Additionally, having a strong narrative allows for greater flexibility in the order of presenters. Traditionally, many coaches assign fixed roles to each presenter, with each person responsible for the same segment of the presentation, regardless of the specific case. However, I believe it is more effective for the team to be adaptable, adjusting roles or the order of topics so that the team members are most comfortable and knowledgeable about the content they are presenting, thereby personalising the story more effectively.