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.

This would not phase me at all.

My tip is to have something to talk to (rather than staring downwards at your screen) alongside your webcam. I talk all day looking at a Jellycat hot chocolate & slice of Christmas cake

Have you heard of Toastmasters? It’s an organisation that runs local groups where people work on their confidence during public speaking. My husband has done a few sessions with them and found it really helped. I present to about 40 people at my work online and honestly find it easier than doing it in person as you don’t have to think about how you are standing/what you are wearing etc. the bit I get nervous about is the technology: moving the slides, seeing people’s questions etc. I would advise having a couple of practice sessions with a trusted friend/colleague. Also, play around with the settings. You might prefer it if you can’t see everyone’s faces while you talk. Good luck!

Yes, I do it regularly. I've also presented to 50+ people in person, I love it. But if you asked me to create a pivot table in a spreadsheet or analyse a load of data that would make me very anxious. People are different and have different skills.

@doisnore communication and graphic design - it was in a different country though, I suspect here they’d be more accommodating.

If you didn’t do the presentation you’d get an automatic 0 even if you did all the other steps. All presentations had to be done in the uni auditorium for a few teachers and whoever wanted to come watch, so not even just your teacher + classmates.

I could present to 10 or 40 people depending on the subject matter was.

I had a career change 18 months ago in a totally different field and whilst I can do the job, I wouldn't feel comfortable presenting on it as I don't have enough confidence in the subject.

If it's something you know and can answer questions on, 40 shouldn't be much different to 10.

Just make absolutely sure you can screenshare, move your Ppt on and create breakout groups. It's so frustrating sitting in a talk where the presenter spends 10 minutes faffing about trying to do these things.

That’s a pity. I hope it didn’t derail your career plans too much and hope you found something else you like.

Interestingly I did law for my undergrad and only had to do presentations in front of my seminar class of 25 students once a year.

I can and regularly do.. Honestly, it's one of those things that gets easier and easier the more you do it. I used to worry so much in case I made a mistake and sounded like I didn't know what I was talking about. Now I just rock up and present my work, I realised that I was just overthinking.

I definitely couldn't. Public speaking is my worst fear.

Yes, I do this daily but a few years ago I felt the same!

Make the most of it being online by having your notes on screen. Large font, bullet points with a final line that covers a simplified version of what you want to get across (just in case your get flustered). It’ll honestly feel like no big deal soon ❤️

do you have any tips other than be prepared in what the talk is about?

I get extreme anxiety even just when doing the introduce yourself part at jobs and being put on the spot and have no idea how to stop it

@doisnore oh no it completely derailed my plans 🥲 if I were to do it again though I would have tried to see a doctor and work through my anxiety and fear of public speaking instead of just accepting that I had to drop out.

I’m just waiting for my DD to finish uni and hopefully then next I’ll study something myself so I can get out of these barely-above-minimum-wage type of jobs.

Beta blockers have been amazing for me.
No matter how well I knew my stuff and was prepped the disproportionate physical anxiety would let me down.
Have no presented multiple times to lots of people on calls - but also on stage in a room of circa 50 potential clients

Totally normal to find it difficult and nerve wracking. The only way people get better/confident is just to practice. I used to get super nervous before all situations like this and now it's much reduced after a lot of experience.

Can do, have done. If I get nervous I decide to hate everyone who made me have to present & then I get thru on sheer grumpiness at my annoying fate. that works for me. If i screw up then maybe they won't ask me to do it again: RESULT.

Also, online is easy because they are all imaginary, the audience, I mean. Just don't pick my nose or something gross while on camera.

That’s sad and quite unfair IMO. Sorry to hear this. The irony is I have work in multiple
comms role and I’ve did minimal presenting. The graphic designers on my team even less so.

I’m glad your daughter is going to uni though and hope you can find something to study too that helps you find a career you want.

Yes, I could and have done. I was recently asked to speak for an hour for the university on soemthing indo as part of my work role. The hardest part was that there was no engagement back, apart from one person. It was painful. It was a bit last minute for me, and I was using my colleagues' presentation. We were both meant to be there. I said I'll only do it again if we both do it, or there's no discussion, and it feels flat. That said, if I had time, and had my own presentation that I had timed and knew took an hour, I would be fine. In front of 50 people is worse than online.

I should I agree with other posters, if you practice you will certainly feel more confident.

A jump from 10 - 40 is significant so yanbu for being anxious. Are they expecting you to just get on with it?

You could ask for some support? A short training course, or managing nerves?

If you're able to conquer this anxiety, or manage it, you will feel amazing!

I had a proper fear of this for years but managed to get over this in my mid 40s at last. Closer to 10 than 40 though.

You can go for a video call group chat. I think you can do this if you want.

Nothing on earth could make me do this and I've already told my boss and manager to never bother asking unless they want my resignation. I would literally collapse.

On a call yes, and I do quite often. Stand up physically in front of people and I want to curl up and die, though I still do it. I just have to power through!

The more you do it, the easier it gets.

If it's an one video call it really doesn't matter whether 5 or 50 surely.