Could you present on a call to 40 people?

[redvelvet7]

Hi, just trying to see whether i need to just grow up or whether other people would be anxious with this situation.

I work for a large company doing an office type job, and due to restructures my team size has gone from about 10 to 40. There are regular sharing sessions where we are meant to present work and I honestly am getting insanely anxious at the thought of it. I get presenting anxiety naturally anyway and tended to avoid it where possible even when the team was smaller. I don’t know if most people would be okay with this? Like ok with 10 and ok with 40? It’d be an online video call rather than meeting room.

Anything over about 10-15 makes no difference. Under 10 risks people derailing, jumping in, or staying a debate on the questions. Over 15, everyone assumes someone else is paying attention so very few people listen properly or ask questions. It's demoralising, but less anxiety inducing.

I think this is one of those things where people need to distinguish between anxiety and being a bit nervous. Most people might feel a bit nervous but that's ok, and not a reason not to do it. Sometimes you just have to push through feeling a bit uncomfortable and v quickly it becomes much less of a big deal

Yes. I present in conferences of over a 100 people online and in person.
Used to terrify me. Now I enjoy it. It's all about practice.

Yes. I knew my material which helped.

No, I didn't especially enjoy it but I did it.

I'd far rather do it in person. I hate Teams whether it's four people or forty - you don't get much back from people on Teams, and I just get overwhelmed by self-doubt and ramble into the void. I actually really enjoy presenting in person - totally different experience.

But as PPs say, you still only see about 8 of them on your screen, so forget the others are there. And learn about online presenting techniques - you'll feel much more confident if you're at ease with the format, and handling the tech (like screen shares) smoothly.

This
once you get used to doing it, it gets much easier

I think most people find it difficult initially.

Yes I do. In person (to 50-80+ people) and over Teams. Teams is much easier. As a PP said, many participants won’t be fully paying attention anyway. And you can’t see them all, like you can when presenting in person. And you can defo have your notes in front of you. Good luck!

I hate presenting it have to do it as part of day job, and the more you throw yourself in deep end, the easier it gets over time to present.

Yes I have done on Teams recently, as long as I don't have to watch myself back now that would be my worst nightmare!

I do this several times a month. Practice, practice and practice some more. The more you do it the easier it gets. I used to get so nervous I'd have an upset stomach and panic attacks. I don't break into a sweat these days. Honestly, the only way to combat nerves is to keep doing it, the more you avoid the worse it gets.

I have to do it a couple of times a month. It does get easier

I do it regularly - have been preventing with work for twenty years, intensely online during covid, going back to normal so more regularly back in person now.

online is much easier than in-person. I was nervous the first time but it gets easier. Make good notes and practice. You will be fine - most people don’t really listen😂

I think if I was confident to present to 10 I would be confident to present the same information to 40. Generally I am not very confident presenting information and try to avoid it but it’s not usually about the number of people that makes me anxious, I am ND and struggle to articulate myself which is what I worry about.

I'm terribly scared of all sorts of things but I'm never phased my presenting to people professionally. I think because if I am, it's because I know my stuff, I'm well prepared and own that space.

I do this regularly. If you're online, it makes no difference how many people there are. If in person, then you generally can't see past the first row so, again, it makes little difference

Almost word for word, this.

Online you can rely heavily on notes. Rehearse and you'll be fine.

I'm a teacher, so routinely have 30 kids in a classroom, and often do assembly for 200ish at a time, no problem. But presenting at inset in front of 100 staff fills me with actual terror!

But just because it's uncomfortable doesn't mean it's unachievable - it's mostly a matter of practice. And presenting in front of more colleagues is a really powerful skill to have especially when considering promotions (and conversely, not having the skill, or letting it become "a thing" can be quite limiting when looking to move onwards and/or upwards).

I am OK with it because I've had to do it monthly for a while now. When I was younger I probably would have left a job if I'd been expected to!

I don't enjoy it but I'm not too bothered by it, everyone can see I'm nervous but I think most of them would be the same.

I'd much prefer to do it on Teams vs in person

Hide your own picture and grin and bear it. Lots of people hate it.

Yes regularly

I'd prefer to do it in person, but yes. Teaching smaller groups of adult learners is pretty regular, which makes presenting to larger groups easier.

I do regularly
but it depends on the group if if will be 'easy' or not.

good preparation is key
practice your presentation
have notes ready to hell if you get stuck

^This

Part of my job. I was giving online lectures to 200 during Covid.