On Cue with Kafui DEY: How to calm pre-speech speaker nerves

He is a brilliant CFO. She runs a regional bank. He negotiates million-dollar deals without blinking.

But five minutes before stepping onto the stage, their hands are slightly trembling.

Public speaking humbles even the powerful.

As MC, you often meet speakers backstage in their most human moment. And how you handle that moment affects what happens on stage.

First, normalize nerves. “A little adrenaline is good,” you say. It reframes anxiety as energy.

Second, simplify their focus. Remind them of their key message. Not all ten slides. Just the core idea. Clarity reduces panic.

Third, control logistics. Confirm microphone type. Clarify where they will stand. Show them the first slide. Uncertainty fuels anxiety; familiarity calms it.

Avoid over-coaching. This is not the time for major speech rewrites. It is the time for reassurance.

Sometimes, all they need is a steady presence beside them as you introduce them. Your confident introduction becomes their runway.

And introduce them well. Strong framing boosts confidence. When the audience hears credibility affirmed clearly, the speaker feels supported before uttering a word.

Corporate Africa values competence. When leaders feel safe on stage, they communicate more effectively. When they communicate effectively, the institution shines.

You are not just managing microphones and agendas. You are managing psychology.

If a speaker stumbles slightly at the beginning, support them subtly. Nod. Maintain eye contact. Smile. The audience mirrors your reaction.

And when they finish successfully, acknowledge it genuinely. Confidence grows from positive reinforcement.

Over time, speakers will request you specifically. Not just because you speak well, but because you make them feel safe.

That is influence.

Stay on cue.

 

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