Depending on what their specific job function entails, it is likely that with some kind of regularity a manager will have to present their ideas to an audience. This audience may take the form of clients, sub-ordinates or superiors, and can range from a handful of people to the hundreds.

Even the most competent and successful manager can panic when it comes to speaking to groups of people. Sweating, shaky legs, wobbly voice, dry mouth and forgetfulness are just a few awkward symptoms that can rear their ugly head when the time comes.

The good manager recognises the important of presentation skills. The ability to impart knowledge and information, in a concise and engaging fashion, makes sure that the important messages are received well by their audience. You can have the best research and the best ideas in the business world, but if your audience cannot absorb the information, it will not give you your desired effect.

If you have a presentation coming up, don’t put it off – rehearse. The best actors in the world spend many weeks practising their delivery, and if they didn’t they’d be incredibly nervous too!

If you find yourself unduly worrying about the next big presentation you have to do, invest in some personal development or soft skills training, and learn the skills and techniques to be a confident public speaker.