Presenter Issues

Stage fright affects the majority of workshop presenters at some point. The impostor syndrome (Clance, 1985) is the well-documented phenomenon whereby even highly experienced professionals feel they are somehow cheating the audience, that they know less than they actually do, and fear being ‘found out’. On the one hand, workshops are more intimidating than, for example, lectures, in the sense that you are working more closely with people and there is less opportunity to shut yourself off or create distance from the participants. On the other hand, this also makes workshops potentially a more participatory and friendly environment. Everyone has the chance to contribute and there is less time for participants to scrutinise the presenter. Also, some presenters actually consider they have a more natural role as they communicate with small groups and individuals in a way they can’t when standing at the front. How do organisers deal with stage fright?