To offer helpful guidance to a teammate who is anxious about a public speaking event, start by providing a supportive and understanding environment where they feel comfortable expressing their fears. Encourage them to practice their speech multiple times, either alone or in front of a small, trusted audience, to build confidence. Share effective techniques such as deep breathing exercises, visualization of success, and positive affirmations to help manage anxiety. Offer constructive feedback on their content and delivery, focusing on strengths while gently addressing areas for improvement. If possible, suggest they attend a workshop or join a public speaking group like Toastmasters for additional practice and support.

Remind the speaker that the audience is on their side. They're there to listen and learn, and if things go wrong, they're usually sympathetic. Also, nerves are a sign that you care about your performance, which is a good thing. Imagining the talk going well can help transfer nervous energy into excitement. If stage fright is a real problem, getting professional help can be an option. I did this, many years into my public speaking career, and it made me a better speaker (as well as nicer to be around right before the talk!).

- Listen Actively: Encourage your teammate to express their feelings and concerns about the event without judgment. - Validate Their Feelings: Acknowledge that anxiety is a common experience and that feeling nervous is okay. - Share Personal Experiences: Relate your experiences with public speaking anxiety to help normalize your feelings. Example: "I remember feeling anxious before my first presentation, but practising helped me feel more confident." - Encourage Practice: Suggest they rehearse their speech multiple times, alone or in front of a minor, supportive audience. - Use Visual Aids: Recommend incorporating slides or props to help them feel more secure and engaged during their presentation.

To help a teammate who is anxious about a public speaking event, encourage them to focus on preparation and practice. Suggest they rehearse their speech multiple times to build confidence, ideally in front of a small, supportive audience. Remind them to focus on key points rather than memorizing everything verbatim. Help them manage anxiety by practicing deep breathing techniques and visualizing success. Offer constructive feedback if they practice in front of you and reassure them that it's natural to feel nervous, but preparation will help them stay calm and focused during the event.