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It doesn’t matter if you’re presenting to two people or to two thousand people: When presentation anxiety strikes, you need some strategies to get you out of your own head and on to the stage with confidence, polish, and professionalism.

If you’ve ever sat in the audience and listened to a speaker whom you didn’t trust, chances are you felt defensive, dismissive, or even insulted. You probably rolled your eyes, crossed your arms, bounced your leg and sent a range of body language signals that you weren’t having it. You likely tuned him out—and even walked out of the meeting early.

“Introducing…Another Boring Speaker”

In the next two weeks, I will be a keynote speaker at the American Heart Association’s annual conference, as well as a breakout session speaker at the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association conference. In both cases, I’ve sent my speaker introduction ahead of time as requested – and in both cases, I’m praying for the best (which includes reminding the MC that my last name sounds like “Regal”, not “Rye-gull”).

I’ve just returned from a two-week vacation in Israel, Jordan and Spain – and I am writing this email saddled with incredible jet lag, some squishy new love handles made from gelato, falafel and Manchego cheese, and many beautiful memories to last a lifetime.Deb_Jacob_Camels

I partnered with Harvard Business Review for a Live presentation on giving and receiving feedback effectively.

Play the video to learn about:

The benefits and challenges of giving feedback
How to know when it’s the right time to give feedback
Debunking the infamous “feedback sandwich”
The 5 elements of a feedback conversation

“I think it’s very important to have a feedback loop, where you’re constantly thinking about what you’ve done and how you could be doing it better.”

Elon Musk

“All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual.”

Albert Einstein

One of my favorite rituals when my twins were babies was to give them their nightly bath. I loved the one-on-one (-on-one) time with them, playing and splashing and just being together. Over time, they advanced from baths to showers, and from needing my help to wanting complete privacy, thank you very much!

But one bath-time ritual that my daughter Sophie didn’t seem to outgrow during her tween years was keeping me company in the bathroom when I took a shower. Each evening after work, I would hop in the shower and pull the curtain closed, and then hear Sophie sneak into the bathroom, close the lid of the toilet, sit down and say, “So let’s talk.”

1. I’m not available then, but could be available on (insert date)no buttonWould that date work?

2. Oh, I will be so disappointed to miss this!

3. While I would love to do that for you, [insert type of priorities] preclude it. I hope you understand.

4. I am so flattered that you asked but unfortunately cannot do that. Can I help you brainstorm someone who might be available?