It’s that most wonderful time of year once again—office holiday party time! While it can be a lot of fun…

Have you ever had an anxiety dream during the run-up to giving a high-stakes business presentation? You’re standing center stage…

“On belay…Belay on!” If you’ve ever taken rock or wall climbing lessons, you are familiar with this call and response. Belaying refers to a variety of techniques climbers use to communicate and keep each other safe during a climb. When the lower climber (AKA the belayer) has secured the rope, she calls up, “On belay”—my translation: “I’ve got your back. You’re good to go.” The higher climber then responds, “Belay on” before moving to the next hand or foothold.

Even for executives accustomed to delivering a presentation to hundreds, or even thousands, of people, speaking on camera can be an unexpected challenge. What looks comfortable and confident on a stage can appear stiff and lifeless on video. It’s important to master this skill, because speaking in this video-driven world with poise and authenticity is essential for taking advantage of an ever-increasing variety of communication platforms, from webinars and virtual meetings to promotional videos.

If you’re a business leader, chances are you get invited to webinars at least weekly. This is not surprising, since the medium offers the chance to reach both broad and targeted audiences to educate, establish thought leadership, build brand awareness or generate sales leads. The problem is, so many webinars turn out to be disappointing. Why? The content doesn’t deliver on the promise, the technology is poorly managed, or the delivery is far from compelling.

If you’re like most business people, technology has become an integral part of your presentations. While your audio and visual aids undoubtedly add value for your audience and make it easier for them to quickly understand your message, there’s a downside to relying on technology.