Stage Frights

Leading a business or being the visible face of a company brings with it a series of responsibilities, such as having to deal with third parties and expressing oneself in public spaces. Business leaders are called to interviews, conferences and meetings. In addition, they have to constantly address their employees to guide them and correct their behavior. For some people this is not a problem, as they have a good command of their oral expression and are not afraid of public spaces.

The problem arises for those with stage fright, where the thought of speaking in front of other people can be very frightening. Stage fright is a very common condition, especially for those who are not used to being the center of attention and having to express themselves in front of others. Business owners who experience stage fright see it as a serious impediment to the development of their company, because the ability to communicate is one of the most important skills for successful business.

In this guide we will be addressing some of the general concepts regarding stage fright, so that you can understand what its basic characteristics are and what methods you can apply to prevent its effects.

What is stage fright?

Stage fright or stage fright, as it is also known, is a psychological state that has a considerable impact on our communication skills. It is usually provoked by the anticipation of unreal situations generated in the mind of the subject, which leads to recreate negative experiences that are not supported by real facts. Stage fright causes an increase in stress and anxiety, thus inhibiting our ability to interact with third parties.

On a physiological level, the appearance of strong sweating, stomach discomfort, headaches and shortness of breath is usually observed. On a psychological level, stage fright usually causes confusion, memory impairment, problems in communicating and projecting words fluently, among others. All these elements make up a psychic and mental state extremely unfavorable for public performance.

Preparation as a prevention method for stage fright

Preparing ourselves for the situations we have to face is one of the most effective measures to counteract the effects caused by stage fright. This preparation can be achieved by progressively exposing ourselves to public scenarios.

Exposing ourselves progressively means starting by interacting in spaces that do not represent a lot of hostility. In this way we will begin to develop the skills that will allow us to handle more complex situations with more emotional intelligence.

One of the most common sources of stage fright is the lack of habit and development of our communication skills in public spaces, which is why progressive exposure can be a very effective remedy.

Emotional self-control as a prevention method for stage fright

Emotional self-control is based on forming a mental attitude that is coherent with reality, knowing how to measure situations by what they really represent, avoiding the creation of imaginary scenarios that are harmful to our peace of mind. By means of emotional self-control we focus on remaining in the present, clearing the worries about what we cannot control.

It is valid to point out that stage fright, like any type of fear, comes from the most irrational side of our brain. This means that stage fright has no basis in real facts, so in the same way that our mind creates it, it can also control it.