If a colleague’s critique affects your confidence, focus on rebuilding from within. Start by grounding yourself—take deep breaths to calm any nerves before speaking again. Turn the critique into motivation by using it as a learning experience, not a setback. Visualize your ideal performance, reinforcing positive outcomes in your mind. Remember, every speaker faces challenges, but how you bounce back defines your strength. Keep speaking boldly, knowing one moment doesn’t define your journey.

Pinpoint what exactly about your colleague's behavior shook your confidence. Was it a specific criticism, a negative body language, or something else? Analyze the situation to understand what you can learn from it. Was there anything you could have done differently? Don't dwell on the past. Focus on the future and the opportunity to grow. Practice your presentation multiple times to build familiarity and confidence. The more comfortable you are with your content, the less nervous you'll be. Imagine yourself delivering a successful presentation. Visualize the audience's positive reactions and your own confidence. Repeat positive affirmations about your abilities. For example, "I am a confident and effective speaker."

Any criticism or feedback that comes as a surprise can throw you off but the key is to look within and ask yourself if there is some truth in what your colleague said. Feedback should not be looked at as something that is negative. Look at embracing feedback in a positive way so that it is constructive in nature. Ask other colleagues about what they feel about your speaking style. Ask specific questions. Go deep into it. If for eg someone says your body language could have been better ask specific questions about which aspect of body language. Implement the feedback given and record yourself. Play it back and observe. Also watch recordings of your previous speeches and compare your growth as a speaker as you go along.

Here’s a guide on how to regain your on-stage confidence * Acknowledge and accept your feelings * Identify the source of the shake: What exactly did they say? What did it trigger? * Reframe any negative self talk to a positive manner. * Prepare thoroughly: Adequate Preparation helps to boost confidence. * Focus on your strengths: Don’t dwell on the weaknesses, rather focus on the strengths. * Speak slowly and clearly. Enunciate words properly and avoid filler words. * Use positive body language: Maintain good posture, smile and use gestures to convey confidence and enthusiasm.

Having experienced this myself, I had to place the comment in a “for later box.” I tucked the comment in the back of my mind and focused on the talk I was about to give. When you give a presentation, you must be absolutely mentally “present.” I concentrated solely on the “Why” I wanted to give the talk in the first place. Why I felt that the message was worth sharing. This helped me to recalibrate and “be there” for the audience…