Your team is struggling with client presentation pressure. How can you provide the support they need?

Hay una cosa que mola recordar si estás bajo presión como equipo. Nunca, nada, es para tanto. Lo peor que puede pasar es fallar. Y fallar no es para tanto. A partir de ahí, esto siempre va de ayudarnos entre personas. Entre nosotros y al cliente. Pongamos el foco en una sola cosa: La que más pueda ayudar al proyecto. Y una vez tengamos esto, vamos construyendo capas de mejora. Asegurando un producto mínimo viable para la entrega, liberas presión y empiezas una fase de mejoras que permite más licencias creativas, etc.

Understanding the sources of stress within the team is crucial. Regular check-ins and an open-door policy encourage team members to voice their concerns. By creating a supportive environment, you can identify stress triggers early and address them promptly. Use Case: As the Chief Risk Officer at G1VE | Technologies, I implemented regular team meetings and one-on-one sessions to recognize and address stress. This proactive approach led to a significant decrease in reported stress levels and improved overall team performance, particularly during high-stakes client presentations.

A veces, mantener un enfoque exclusivo en los resultados puede provocar una ceguera lateral, perdiendo de vista el sentido común en la búsqueda de objetivos. Para preservar el sentido común, es crucial conectar emocionalmente con el equipo, no solo racionalmente. La empatía no se gestiona través del pensamiento sino del sentir. Cuando hay un enfoque de resultados sin empatía, el estrés aumenta. Cuando la empatía se siente, el nivel de energía del equipo aumenta y por ende los resultados mejoran.

Begin by openly acknowledging the stress and validating their feelings, emphasizing that it was a common challenge even with yourself. Arrange for regular check-ins to gauge individual stress levels and create a safe space for team members to express their concerns. To alleviate the burden, organize focused practice sessions where the entire team could rehearse presentations together, offering constructive feedback and encouragement. Additionally, plan some interactive sessions where you could just talk anything except work and maybe do some fun activity.

Como líder de importante detectar las necesidades de capacitación que tiene el equipo, una manera muy sencilla de hacerlo es ubicarlos en la matriz Querer-Poder. Si el colaborador tiene buena actitud -Si quire- pero no cuenta con los conocimientos necesarios - No puede-, hay que capacitarlo.

Client Understanding: Ensure the team understands the client's needs, expectations, and business context. Effective Communication: Train the team on effective communication techniques, including active listening and responding to client feedback.

Having a team with better skills and education (than yours) is key and a sign of intelligence. Wanting to be the wiser person always... is not possible and will make you a good freelance but not a team leader.

Estar ocupado no es sinónimo de productividad. Frecuentemente, los colaboradores se ven abrumados por diversas tareas sin poder distinguir entre lo importante y lo urgente. La forma más efectiva de gestionar el tiempo es guiar al equipo para priorizar lo más importante y lo urgente. Además, la planificación es crucial para reducir la cantidad de actividades urgentes.

Eliminate Stress by Taking Control: Stress often stems from procrastination. Encourage your team to take immediate action on what’s within their control. Break tasks into manageable steps and prioritize execution. Consistent progress reduces anxiety and builds confidence, ensuring the team is well-prepared and less pressured.

Open Communication: Maintain open lines of communication where team members can express concerns and seek help. Positive Reinforcement: Provide positive reinforcement and celebrate small wins to build confidence. Empathy and Understanding: Show empathy and understanding towards team members who are feeling the pressure

Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Encourage techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and relaxation exercises to manage anxiety. Breaks and Downtime: Ensure the team takes regular breaks and has downtime to avoid burnout.

Constructive Feedback: After the presentation, provide constructive feedback focusing on strengths and areas for improvement. Continuous Improvement: Encourage a culture of continuous improvement where the team learns from each presentation and builds on their skills.

Content Mastery: Know your stuff, compelling storyline. Be a storytelling wizard! Support Tools: Templates and visuals. Like superhero gadgets! Stress Management: Breaks, relax techniques. Quick team game! Positive Vibes: Celebrate wins, offer encouragement. High-fives and dances! Tech Ready: Ensure everything works, have backups. Teamwork: Collaboration, define roles. Avengers team! Client Insights: Research, prepare for Q&A. Inner detective! Content is king—so make sure your presentation tells a complete and captivating story, ruling the slides like a true monarch!

Shift Focus from Presentation to Purpose. Remind your team that a presentation is just one part of a larger journey. Help them zoom out and see the overarching goals. Creativity in communication can alleviate pressure—focus on conveying progress authentically. When the team understands the bigger picture, they’ll feel more at ease and motivated.