Why is presenting to the board scary to many?

During my everyday sessions, I meet at least one client each week who would add board meetings to his list of top challenging public speaking opportunities. And it actually makes a lot of sense.

The main reasons why board meetings can be inconvenient for many are fear of being judged, presenting in a high-stakes, highly sensitive environment, fear of raising a conflict, and, in many cases, not having the necessary information upfront.

Despite all that, owning your ground during such meetings is definitely achievable.

Let's break down the main steps to consider when preparing for your next board meeting.

1) Set your core idea.

Since each presenter usually has limited time to present their insights, it is essential to eliminate unnecessary information and to have a single core objective for your whole presentation. It’s better to state it clearly at the beginning, and your message sequence should drive your audience to that end goal.

2) Connect your message to the company’s strategic goals.

Board meetings are great opportunities to showcase your perspective and strategic thinking, and ideas that reflect management’s vision and the company’s strategy tend to be more accepted than those that run counter to or seem irrelevant.

3) Always give context.

Remember, your board members don’t know the story behind your numbers, nor your recommendations. It is your role to provide them with enough background so they can understand your insights, without so much that they lose interest.

4) Know their concerns and address them.

If you think avoiding possible objections or concerns will get you an approval, you’ll be mistaken. One of the most damaging behaviors for credibility is hiding essential information to avoid conflict. If you know something will raise concerns, study it, be ready with solutions, and even be proactive and address them in your presentation.

5) Be ready for hard questions.

Asking difficult questions isn’t necessarily because your audience is being mean or intentionally wants to let your idea fail. Many difficult questions arise because they are actually the right ones to ask to foster meaningful conversation and make the right decision. So instead of wasting time hoping no questions will be asked, try putting yourself in your audience's shoes, predict questions, and be ready to support with helpful answers.

6) Win allies ahead.

If your idea is controversial, it is wiser not to keep it a surprise to all board members. Try to meet with some of them beforehand to gain their buy-in. Many board members don't like big surprises and will appreciate being notified in advance of new significant recommendations or changes.

7) Share outlines and reports in advance.

Some topics require careful reading before discussion, which is why sharing supportive documents before the meeting can validate your argument and put some of your audience in the picture before the debate starts.

8) Of course, REHEARSE.

If you want to master presenting your message clearly and on time, rehearsing is essential. Not only does it help you put that mind argument to the test, but it also boosts your confidence and helps you demonstrate the impression of a professional who knows exactly what they are doing.

I totally understand how moments before board meetings or big opportunities could be heavy, but shifting your energy to what you could do instead of just worrying will help you a lot to become more prepared, poised, and confident.