We all fear rejection. Whether we realize it or not, the root of what is holding us back from moving forward with an idea is the word “no”. Maybe you are putting off that big meeting with a client because you still need time to finish your pitch. Or maybe you are taking on more responsibilities than you can handle because you don’t want to ask for help. When we seriously contemplate why we are holding ourselves back, it’s because of the fear of rejection. We are planning to put our best version of ourselves out there and present something we hold near our hearts to the world. To be met with the response, “no” is soul crushing, but it is part of this process of life.
By becoming more comfortable with being vulnerable and authentic, we can ease this fear of rejection, and maybe even brush the rejection off our shoulder and move on. These presentation tips will help you learn how you can practice vulnerability.
It’s difficult for startup business owners to be vulnerable, Catherine Clifford writes for Entrepreneur. She says entrepreneurs get so used to working constantly, that they can develop a bit of an ego, and forget the importance of vulnerability. This is something Adam Braun discovered as he was starting up his non-profit Pencils of Promise. He vowed to never directly ask people for money to help fund his organization. He instead sought other ways to make money that would make up for the missing fundraising. However, he discovered that the root of why he was so against asking people for money was the rejection. And he quickly realized that refusing to get over this fear would only hold him and his organization back. So, at his board meeting, in front of industry leaders he admired the most, he admitted that he was afraid to ask for money. By showing this vulnerability, he deepened the value of trust.
You can also learn a lot about vulnerability from this incredible TED Talk by Brené Brown. She approached this concept like any other research project, but soon learned something so much deeper about how to live life. Her findings will make you change your approach to being vulnerable.
What’s the lesson here for presenters: Practice Vulnerability in Presentations. If you have to give a sales presentation and you know the numbers are less than subpar, admit it. By twisting and spinning your words to make a bad situation not so bad, you are only giving into that fear of rejection. Instead, try what Braun did and ask for help. “What can we do to fix this? How can we change our protocol to see better results?” You may not realize it, but this how you become a leader. Be innovative, take risks, and have difficult conversations. The return investment on the other side may be life changing.
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