Cope with anxiety during a conference call

Being a shy person, nothing describes the anxiety I feel whenever I have to make or answer a call. And the feelings dial up when I am faced with a conference call for work.

Thankfully over the years, I have found some ways to cope with conference call anxiety. But the dilemma is something that a lot of introverts face regulalry.

For people like me, communication is easier when it’s done via texting or emailing. Getting our words down on paper gives us a chance to edit and get the content as close to perfect as possible. A luxury that a phone call doesn’t afford.

Of course, that is not the only reason for conference call anxiety. And unfortunately, there is no easy solution to do away with the problem entirely. What you can do is manage the situation enough so that you can get through the call with confidence.

Prepare yourself

Before a conference call with my colleagues, I usually review those topics we are likely to discuss. You can also outline the points you want to highlight during the meeting. Having an informal agenda, even for yourself, will make you feel better and provide a sense of comfort.

You can even brainstorm some questions you want to raise before the call begins. And it’s ok to plan some additional conversation topics as well. That way, if you and your colleagues take a few minutes to chat after the official part of the call wraps up, you will feel safer.

Speak up during the call

I prefer to hang back and let others do the talking. My strength lies more in listening than talking. However, pretty soon I learned that the more I wait to add my insights, the harder it got to speak at all.

That is why you need to take the initiative and speak early on during the call. It might be nerve wracking at first. But one you get the first jitters out of the way, you can relax into the conversation easier.

Practice by calling someone you feel comfortable with

When you are at a professional setting, the need to be confident and make a good impression goes higher. You want your colleagues to see you as capable and professional. That doesn’t really leave a lot of room for any mistakes you might make due to anxiety.

So if you wish to appear as a confident professional, it’s ok to practice a little. Instead of texting your family and friends, make a habit of calling, even for a few short minutes. The people you are comfortable with will be far more forgiving if your anxiety leads you to mess up. As you become more familiar with talking to them over the phone, it will also boost your confidence in calling your colleagues.

Know when to speak

A conference call is not the same as a meeting inside a conference room. You can’t see the other people who have joined you. That also means turn taking gets tricky. Sometimes two or more people might speak at the same time. That is why a conference call needs one person who acts as a moderator.

Even without someone leading the conversation, you can judge when to speak up. If you are feeling particularly shy, wait for a quiet lull in the conversation. Instead of addressing everyone, you can simply focus on one colleague and ask them for their opinion, input or feedback, or share yours with them.

Posture matters

The people on the other side of the phone might not see you. But your posture an still affect how you deal with a call. It may be as simple as a smile on your face or sitting upright on the sofa. But the pose your body takes can lend a bit of confidence to your attitude.

So instead of lounging in comfort on your bed, find a pose that offers comfort but also makes you feel good about yourself. Trust me, it helps.

Move away from noises

Loud noises on your end can be distracting to everyone, but especially yourself. A conference call can be tough enough when you have anxiety without the added background noises. Make sure to answer the phone in a calm area where you won’t have to compete to be heard.