Hi Everyone I have been working as a H&S advisor for just over 2 years now in the construction industry, with an additional 10+ years experience in the trades so I like to think I know what I am talking about. To add to that experience, I also have the NEBOSH construction certificate and have recently completed my NVQ level 5 I enjoy my job (for the most part) and enjoy working for a company that puts a lot of time, money and effort into H&S. My problem is, I am awful at speaking up in front of groups of people. I get nervous, mumble and I am sure I cannot be communicating the relevant information in an effective manner..... does this mean that H&S is not for me???? The NVQ was a real eye opener and hard work and there were several questions related to effective communication as it is essential for getting the message across. I am starting to think this is not for me but don't want to give up because I am lacking in one area. Any thoughts? Anyone else had similar experiences?

Hi, Congratulations on your achievements thus far, you should be proud. Communication? Yes it's important in every job, but nobody States it has to be oral? There are many alternative methods to communicate with your peers. What works best for me is to identify which way each group prefer to receive H&S communications (pictorial, written, oral, practical demonstration etc.). Your not alone, I seem to remember a certain labour politician on news night who couldn't remember a name of a party donor, some would say he forgot, others panicked or maybe it was nervous energy! It does wonders to everyone. Footballers miss penalties, cricketers get bowled. Get my point, it's part of life. Your clearly a very clever person, so why not look at improving on you weak skills. Never give up though, you probably make a positive difference regardless of your perceived weaknesses. I have met many HSE presenters who are not very good communicators, and they are the regulator. Keep going.

Guys... Thank you very much for your advice and words of encouragement! Each of your descriptions pretty much sums up exactly how I feel on a regular basis and after 2 years it is no better. I avoid speaking to groups like the plague, which if I am honest, means that I am not fulfilling all of my duties at work - this is not something that I am OK with. On the flip side, I am generally the first into work and the last to leave and as far as the rest of my duties go, I think I am fairly on the ball!... seems a shame to give it up now because I am lacking in one particular area. Maybe a few beers before my talks would help!! haha

Personally I think it is a must. Not just presentations and tool-box talks but also adding your bit at meetings etc. I went on one day public speaking course, expecting to be underwhelmed. The teacher was a ‘resting’ actor who was really good at getting us to understand how to talk in public and especially how to conquer your nerves. One of the best day’s training ever. Do it but make sure it a good trainer- Reed did mine.

I was the same when I came into my first role. I have built myself through speaking to a couple of people and then bigger groups. I understand it doesn't always work that way, but have confidence in what you are saying. If you feel what you are saying it will help you to come across more confidently. But as others have said you need to do it to face the fear. Noone is perfect, just keep plugging away at it :-)

It's not something I enjoy/look forward to either. I'd maybe suggest doing run throughs with family/friends if possible - even doing a presentation to people you are comfortable around can be a little unnerving but it's good chance to practice things - the more you do it the easier it gets (without wanting to sound like a broken record)

Further to my post; My experience started when I was pulled to one side by the chair of our H&S committee who told me “Andrew you always have something useful to say but you do mumble. I’ll get HR to put you on a public speaking course” this went down like a lead balloon, but I went down to Birmingham for this one day course and it was brilliant. The trainer gave me the following pieces of advice: 1. You must be confident with the subsect you are talking about. You must come across as the expert. 2. They “remember the dance not the song” meaning HOW you come across is often more important that the details of WHAT you say. If they want more detail you can point them to a webpage or a policy document. 3. Powerpoint is a prompt/support but don’t get hung up on it. Spend more time on HOW you will get the message across not on getting the slide format right. 4. Practice speaking either in front of a mirror or to someone you trust. 5. Make sure… that you speak… slowly … and clearly... with pauses… so that they get the message. Mark up the script appropriately to include pauses etc 6. If you have nerves, create rituals to take control of the situation eg take 10 breathes before you go on or sing a song or something that builds your confidence up and makes you feel in control 7. Go for it! After all what is the worst thing that can happen! Crash and burn crash and burn… I came back far more confident and then the committee chair told me “Andrew; you can do that presentation to the 200 new people coming into the organisation next week!” Which I did… no sweat!

gotogmca - no mate, I am a gooner!! Kurdziel - All very good points and I think it is obvious that training and experience are the only ways I will be able to get over this. John - I will never ever enjoy this part of my job, but fair play to you! ha ha. Again thanks to all for advice and sharing your experiences.

Some of us take to public speaking more than others but you should remember that everyone gets nerves, the important part is that no matter how nervous you get you cannot let it dominate your performance. Be aware of your delivery as you're delivering... It is a performance, after all. Delivery of your material, I've always likened it to stand up comedy. The job is to deliver your material to your audience in the best way possible. Only we don't/won't get laughs. I have tried to drop in 'humour' from time to time with mixed results. It's true, the more you do it the better you get. But then, given a new or more intimidating audience, nerves will play a larger part. Here's my biggest factors for public speaking 1. General experience 2. How well I know the material 3. How well I know the audience 4. After delivery, think about how it went and what was good/bad. You'll learn (and improve) more through what didn't go so well. Finally, your audience contains people that are extremely glad that it's you up there doing the talking and not them.

I am a member of the toastmasters organisation which allows me to practise my speeches prior to me giving them, with constructive criticism and hints and tips specific to me. toastmasters.org there are a lot of groups and its a good safe place to practice. The groups are usually fairly small and you also get to meet other people in your position learning to give good speeches and presentations. Usually practice speeches are no more than 5-7 minutes. My group in Ipswich have been privy to lots of speeches about health and safety but all come from a diverse background, it has helped me know end. Even dealing with difficult questions and hecklers!

Hi efc, It's a tough one because the bottom line is that we all have to do it to a greater or lesser degree. Everyone has given really useful tips: Know what you are talking about Take deep breaths and use pauses It is more about the dance, that's what they remember I have a little warm up I do first, jumping up and down on the spot and waving my arms around and scrunching my face and relaxing it. It sounds silly but think of an athlete warming up before a race. Of course I do this well out of sight of anyone else (usually in the loo) because they would think I was mad otherwise and I have enough to do getting the message across! Stick with it and it will get easier. Remember you are the expert and if you get a tricky question or heckle just say "I'll get back to you on that but can we just concentrate on..x y z. Don't forget to breathe!!