You are the Finance Director for a major IT company. You have been asked by the company’s president to present an overview of the financial state of the organization. However, the scheduled date of the presentation conflicts with a mandatory visit to the company’s overseas office and you cannot do the presentation. Instead, you ask a member of your department to present the materials. You provide the employee with the presentation slides and speaker notes and encourage the colleague to ask any questions about the presentation before you leave for the business trip. It is the day of your departure and the employee wants to speak with you about the presentation. He states he cannot do the presentation because he has a fear of public speaking. Remember that you are leaving for the airport in 1 hour and cannot give the presentation.
Questions for Discussion
1) What would you do if you were placed in this situation? As the Finance Director, what guidance would you provide the employee? How would you encourage the employee to do the presentation?
2) Refer back to the Reading for this unit. What suggestions do you have for assisting the employee in overcoming fear of public speaking?