Last updated on January 29th, 2019

 Forbes Coaches Council Top coaches offer insights on leadership development & careers.

With approximately 74% of Americans listing glossophobia or fear of public speaking as their No. 1 fear, according to Statistic Brain, you may be one of the millions of people who need intensive action to calm your nerves before a speaking engagement.

As a business leader looking to their first speaking engagement at a conference, it can be a daunting task to get up in front of a group of your peers for the first time. As difficult a challenge this may be, preparing in advance by understanding your audience and practicing your speech can make your presentation flawless. It can also help ready you for the stage and get those nerves under control.

Fifteen members of Forbes Coaches Council share their top tips for leaders who are speaking at their first conference. Here’s what Dr. Chris Allen and her colleagues recommend:

Dr. Allen’s Contribution:  Use Anxiety To Improve Performance

Having the jitters before speaking is normal, even for experts. Learn to channel anxiety rather than try to suppress it or overthink it. The butterflies in the stomach, shortness of breath, and pounding heart are reminders that the body is preparing for action, just as an athlete’s body does before a competition. This helps you to not overreact and to channel the energy into your performance. – Christine Allen, Ph.D., Insight Business Works

Read all responses here