Recently I was on the phone with a friend who’ll be presenting one of the sessions at the March of Dimes, Celebrando a la Mujer Latina (brochure here) event in Chicago in November. After a long chat about the topic Mabel paused and asked worriedly “What will I wear?” and asked if I’d go shopping with her for a new outfit.

Making a presentation, be in front of 800 people or just eight, is a very big deal or many of us and for that reason we want to be at our best. However, Brenda Gleason president of M2 Health Care Consulting tells us to keep three rules in mind and going for that new outfit is breaking the first one.

Her advice can pretty much apply to any ocassion where the pressure is on to shine.

Rule #1: Wear something comfortable

-While it is tempting to go buy a brand new outfit for that big presentation don’t do it. If the skirt rides up or the jacket bunches you will be distracted and self-conscious when you speak. Your audience will see every little fidget instead of listen to your message.

Rule #2: Be yourself

-If you are enthusiastic by nature, let it show! If you are more bookish, then make the presentation scholarly. Many people feel nervous or shy when speaking publicly, but some of that fear comes from trying to be something you are not. Many books recommend starting out a presentation with a joke, but if you are not a joke-teller, it is likely to fall flat. Focus on sharing yourself and your energy instead of the words you are saying and you will feel more relaxed.

Rule #3: Tell stories

There are 36 languages spoken by students in The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services so cultural understanding and sensitivity is essential. One of the best ways to connect with a diverse audience is to tell stories that cross cultures. Almost everyone has strong feelings about family, about love, and about loss. Use powerful words to describe feelings and connect the story to your main topic. Most people understand what it means to have a new baby in the house and what it does to your sleep pattern, even if they don’t have a baby. Most people understand the devastation of the death of a loved one, a favorite mentor, or from government ineptitude. Use the power of the feelings in the story to connect to your audience.

Finally, watching yourself or having a friend watch you deliver your presentation can help immensely. You will notice that you play with your hair or constantly touch a button on your jacket. It is hard to stop doing something if you don’t know you are doing it. Don’t think of it as criticism, think of it as getting stronger and getting more relaxed in your on-stage persona. Audiences will thank you for it!

Brenda Gleason is the president of M2 Health Care Consulting, based in Washington, DC. M2 serves clients from the Fortune 100, multinational professional services companies and private equity firms in addition to non-profit health care associations. Brenda is also an Adjunct Faculty at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, specializing in policy communications.