These 6 proven phrases will prepare you for the unexpected and calm your stage fright. Better yet, they’ll make your collaborators feel heard and make you look like a genius.
When I stepped up from copywriting to content strategy, I had to face my fear of public speaking. Collaboration is critical for strategy work. But the mere thought of presenting my ideas, interviewing users, and leading workshops was utterly terrifying.
What happens if someone disagrees with me? Or asks a question I can’t answer? What if they don’t get what I’m trying to say? What if they realize I don’t know all the answers?
To allay my fears, I observed leaders who appeared perpetually poised. And I learned some key phrases that help me handle the most vexing questions and comments.
These comebacks have come in handy with cranky stakeholders, confused collaborators, skeptical colleagues, and user research participants who vented (read: shouted) their frustrations at me.
