Speaking in front of a group, whether it’s a boardroom, a team, or a conference stage—can trigger a deep wave of anxiety, even for confident leaders.
Your heart races. Your mind spins. You rehearse your first sentence 40 times and still feel unsure.
Let me say this clearly: This doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you care.
The fear isn’t about words. It’s about confidence—in ourselves, and in our preparation. And the moment we question that, we lose presence.
Here’s the good news: There’s a better way to lead, speak, and show up powerfully.
Whether you’re prepping for a team meeting, a high-stakes pitch, or a keynote event, these five strategies will help you shift from anxious to anchored—so you can stand and deliver with clarity and confidence.
1. Decide You Belong
Before you memorize your content, you need to make one key decision:
You belong in the room.
That might sound obvious—but most pre-presentation anxiety comes from imposter thoughts:
“What if I’m not as experienced as them?”
“What if they already know this?”
“What if I mess it up?”
Here’s the truth: If you’re in the room, there’s a reason.
You’ve earned the invitation, the opportunity, or the responsibility. That alone qualifies you.
Decide that you belong—not because you’re perfect, but because you’re present.
You don’t need to impress. You just need to show up as the fullest version of yourself.
When you stop auditioning for approval and start owning your presence, everything changes.
2. Commit to Being of Service
Now that you’ve owned your place, shift your focus off yourself.
Because one of the fastest ways to calm your nerves is this: Make it about them.
Anxiety thrives in self-focus. Confidence grows in service.
Ask yourself:
- What do these people need?
- What problem am I helping them solve?
- How can I give something of real value—insight, hope, clarity, a new tool?
You’re not here to perform. You’re here to serve. And when you’re serving, you don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be present and useful.
3. Find Your Anchors
You don’t need a script. You need anchors.
Anchors are the 2–4 things you want to make sure you land clearly. These might be:
- A story
- A metaphor
- A key insight
- A framework
- A challenge to the audience
- A single powerful phrase
Anchors create structure—without restricting your delivery.
They give you something to return to when your mind races or your timing gets shaky.
If the nerves kick in, just return to your next anchor. Take a breath. Land that point.
Then move forward. One anchor at a time.
4. Use Pre-Performance Rituals
High performers don’t leave their mindset to chance. They prime it.
Before you speak, take 5–10 minutes for a short ritual that grounds you and resets your nervous system.
Here are a few options:
- Box breathing: Inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4 (repeat 4x)
- Power stance: Stand tall, open posture, slow deep breaths, shoulders back
- Internal affirmations:
“I am here to serve.”
“I belong in this room.”
“I have a message worth sharing.” - Visualize a win: Picture yourself on stage or at the front of the room. See the moment you make someone smile, nod, write something down, or say, “Thank you.”
Don’t wait until you’re mic’d up to find your focus. Practice stepping into it beforehand.
5. Detach from the Outcome. Connect to the Moment.
This is the part most people miss: Anxiety wants to drag your attention into the future—how you’ll be judged, what people will think, how it might go wrong.
But great delivery happens now.
When you walk into that room or onto that stage, your job isn’t to impress, convert, or dazzle. Your job is to connect.
Connect to the room.
Connect to the message.
Connect to yourself.
Let go of how it will land. Show up and give what you came to give.
That’s leadership. That’s what people remember.
Final Thought: Stand. Deliver. Let Go.
Speaking is a vulnerable act. But it’s also a powerful one—when you do it from a place of grounded service and inner confidence.
So the next time you feel the nerves rising, remember:
- You belong in the room.
- You’re here to serve.
- You have something worth saying.
- You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be present.
And that’s how you stop performing and start connecting.
Stand tall. Speak slowly. Be generous. And then let it go.
Want help crafting your signature message, mastering your delivery, or improving your presence as a leader and authority? Want to join me for a live Workshop to improve your communication skills as a leader? DM me. Or,
👉 Book a Strategy Call with us at The Leader Club, and let’s work together to build your presence, power, and clarity—so you can speak like the leader you are.
