Whether you are a manager in your company, a leader in your church or, as an entrepreneur, lead a virtual team for your business, concerns about meeting targets, handling conflicts, and ensuring team cohesion can be overwhelming.

Although managing a team effectively is crucial for any leader, it often comes with its own set of fears. However, with the right strategies, you can manage your team with confidence and reduce stress and anxiety.

1. Understand Your Triggers

Understand what specifically triggers your stress. Is it the fear of dealing with difficult team members, not meeting deadlines or the pressure of making critical decisions that only you can make? Identifying these triggers can help you develop targeted strategies to address them.

2. Prioritize Clear Communication

Clear communication is essential in managing a team. Have you made it clear that each of your team members understand their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Do you schedule (and keep) regular check-ins and open lines of communication to help prevent misunderstandings and keep everyone aligned? When your team is well-informed, it reduces your anxiety about potential miscommunications and errors.

3. Set Realistic Goals

Setting achievable goals is crucial for both your peace of mind and your team’s productivity. Unrealistic expectations lead to stress and burnout for everyone involved (including you!). Although it may seem obvious, break down larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks and celebrate milestones along the way, helping maintain momentum and reducing the pressure on you and your team members.

If you have an upcoming job interview or a performance review, whether it is in-person or on a Zoom call, you probably are experiencing interview anxiety. We’ve all been there. But that pre-interview knot in your stomach doesn’t have to hold you back!

Here are 10 steps to transform interview anxiety into interview confidence:

1. Know Your Worth: Before you walk into the interview room, virtual or online, remind yourself of your skills and experience. List your accomplishments and rehearse how you’d express them to showcase your value to the company.
2. The Power of Preparation: Research the company, the position, and potential interview questions. The more prepared you are, the less anxiety will creep in. Practice your answers out loud – alone or with a friend – to refine your delivery.
3. Utilize the Mirror: Practice answering questions while looking in the mirror. This helps with nonverbal communication – eye contact, posture, and confident body language. Projecting confidence externally can trick your brain into feeling more confident internally.
4. Positive Self-Talk: Challenge those negative thoughts telling you you’ll mess up. Replace them with affirmations like “I am qualified” or “I am a strong communicator” or “I have earned a promotion.” Positive self-talk can be a powerful tool to combat interview anxiety. Listen for, and quiet, the “What if’s” with “I’ve got this.”
5. Breathe and Relax: Feeling overwhelmed? Take slow, deep focused breaths. Practice progressive muscle relaxation techniques to release tension. There are many guided relaxation apps and online resources available.
6. Dress for Success: Even though obvious, first impressions do matter! Dress professionally for the interview, in a way that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Looking polished can boost your self-esteem and project a sense of competence.
7. Visualize Success: Imagine yourself delivering an excellent interview. Picture yourself answering questions thoughtfully, engaging with the interviewer, and feeling calm and collected. Visualization can prepare your mind for a positive interview experience. Click here for a free Visualization Guide.
8. Arrive Early: Avoid the added stress of rushing in last minute. Plan to arrive early so you can settle in, collect your thoughts, and take a few more calming breaths.
9. Focus on Connection: Interviews are a two-way street. While you want to make a good impression, remember you’re also evaluating the company culture and fit. Ask thoughtful questions about the role and the team.
10. Celebrate Every Step: Whether you land the job or not, celebrate your accomplishment of going through the interview process. Each interview is a learning experience that helps you refine your skills and build confidence for the next one.

Remember, interview anxiety is common, but it doesn’t have to control or define you. With these strategies and a positive mindset, you can approach your next interview with confidence and leave a lasting impression.

P.S. Eliminate the guesswork of trying to overcome your fear, racing heart, fast breathing and anxious thinking on your own by learning more about how the Fearless for Life Academy can help you today.

Public speaking. Two words that can strike fear into the hearts of even the most confident individuals!

Does the thought of standing in front of an audience, all eyes on you, trigger a cascade of anxieties: “What if I mess up?” “What if they think I’m boring?” “What if they judge me?”

But here’s the truth: Most people in the audience aren’t there to dissect your every word and movement. They’re there for the information or experience you’re offering.

Let’s look at your fear of being judged and see how you can let go of the worry and then focus on delivering your message with confidence.

Others Are Not Focusing on Your Flaws:

Our brains play a trick on us. We tend to overestimate how much attention others are paying to our perceived flaws. This is called the “spotlight effect.” While you might feel like every stumble and stutter is magnified by the audience’s eye, they are likely more focused on their own thoughts and anxieties than picking apart your performance.

They Are for You (Not Against You):

The vast majority of people in your audience actually want you to succeed (and they are glad they aren’t the one speaking!). They’re there to learn something new, be entertained, or gain a different perspective. Their focus is on the content you’re presenting, not on finding ways to criticize you.

Everyone Makes Mistakes:

I’ve been there – the forgotten word, the fumbled note card, the technology glitch. The truth is, audiences are far more forgiving of minor mistakes than we tend to believe. In fact, a well-handled slip-up can even make you seem more relatable and human.

Shift Your Perspective:

Instead of fearing judgement, reframe your perspective. View yourself as a guide, an educator, or a storyteller sharing valuable insights with your audience. This shift in focus takes the pressure off you and allows you to connect with the audience on a deeper level.

Here’s how to re-focus your mindset: