Episode #334: Getting From "Me" To "You" When Presenting

Why do business professionals in Japan feel intense nervousness before presentations?

Executives and managers in 日本企業 (Japanese companies — Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (foreign companies — multinational companies) often feel physical stress before a speech: a dry throat, shaky hands, tight stomach, rising heat. These reactions are natural—but they become overwhelming when the speaker focuses excessively on themselves instead of the audience.

When attention shifts inward (“How am I doing? Will they like me?”), nervousness accelerates. This internal dialogue—rather than the audience—becomes the main obstacle.

Mini-Summary: Nervousness intensifies when speakers focus on themselves, not on delivering value to the audience.

Many presenters in Tokyo attempt to memorize scripts—especially for プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training — presentation skills programs) or high-stakes corporate meetings. Memorization adds extreme pressure. When the speaker forgets a phrase, everything collapses.

The article’s example of an international presenter illustrates this: perfectly dressed, polished slides—yet she froze twice because she depended on memorization. Her credibility eroded instantly.

Why memorization fails:

• It overloads working memory.

• It prevents natural connection with listeners.

• It increases visible anxiety.

• It forces speakers to “perform,” not communicate.

Mini-Summary: Memorizing creates unnecessary pressure and makes the speaker fragile, not flexible.

A common mistake in corporate environments—especially in time-tight Tokyo—is spending all preparation time on slides, leaving no time for rehearsal.

But rehearsal is the single most effective anxiety reducer.

Effective rehearsal gives you:

• Familiarity with flow

• Confidence in transitions

• The ability to adapt naturally when things go wrong

• Freedom to speak to slides, not from memory

The speaker in the story who skipped a slide point simply rearranged points mid-presentation. Because he didn’t announce the mistake, the audience never noticed. Only speakers know their intended script.

Mini-Summary: Rehearsal builds flexibility. If mistakes happen, the audience won’t know—and you keep control.

Once self-focus fades, presenters can bring the “Big Three” to their audience—essential for プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training — presentation skills) and エグゼクティブ・コーチング (executive coaching — executive coaching) in Tokyo.

1. Voice Modulation

Strategic variation in volume and pace keeps attention high.

• A quiet whisper = intrigue

• A powerful burst = emphasis

2. Eye Contact

Use true, individual eye contact—not sweeping glances.
Hold eye contact for six seconds with one person.
In large meetings, 周りの20人 (the twenty people around them — the twenty people seated near that person) will each feel you are speaking to them.

3. Gestures

Never point at people; it feels aggressive.
Use open-palm gestures: 手のひらを上に向ける (turning the palm upward — palm-up gesture), which signals “I come in peace,” a non-verbal cue rooted in ancient human behavior.

Mini-Summary: Voice, eyes, and gestures combine to deliver presence, connection, and authority.

When presenters stop worrying about being perfect and instead focus on audience value, everything changes:

• Anxiety decreases

• Messages become clearer

• Authenticity increases

• Engagement deepens

This “me → you” shift lies at the heart of Dale Carnegie’s global methodology—proven across 100+ years and used widely in 日本企業 (Japanese companies — Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (multinational corporations — global companies) in Tokyo.

Mini-Summary: The most powerful presenters aren’t perfect—they are audience-focused.

• Nervousness comes from self-focus; shifting focus to the audience reduces anxiety.

• Memorization increases stress; rehearsal builds adaptability and confidence.

• Voice modulation, eye contact, and open-palm gestures significantly elevate audience engagement.

• Flexibility—not perfection—is the hallmark of effective business communication.

Founded in the U.S. in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has supported individuals and companies worldwide for over a century in leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI. Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, has empowered both Japanese and multinational corporate clients ever since.