Reader situation
You need to develop a skill that matters, such as presenting, negotiating or facilitating, but the only opportunities to use it are high-stakes: an important client meeting, a board presentation, a large event. Trying something for the first time when the stakes are high makes mistakes costly and learning stressful.
Central idea
A small practice setting can help you attempt something before the stakes rise. Choose a trusted audience, explain that you are learning and review what happened.
Practical steps
Use these reflection steps to plan a practice session and to learn from it.
- Choose skill. Which skill do you want to practice, and in which upcoming situation will it matter? Be specific: “presenting a budget proposal to senior leaders” rather than “presenting.” Ask yourself: What part of this skill do I feel least confident about?
- Set boundaries. Decide what the practice will cover and what it won’t. A practice session might cover only the first five minutes of a presentation, or only the response to difficult questions. Ask yourself: What’s the smallest version of this I could practice? What would make the practice feel safe enough to try something new?
- Find practice partner. Choose someone you trust to give honest, constructive feedback. A peer outside your immediate team can be helpful, because the stakes of making mistakes in front of them are lower. Explain that you’re learning and what you’d like them to watch for. Ask yourself: Who would be honest and supportive? Who has relevant experience?
- Attempt. Do the practice, as close to the real situation as you can. If you make a mistake, keep going rather than starting again, since that’s part of what you’re practicing. Ask yourself: What did I try that I wouldn’t normally try?
- Reflect and repeat. Afterwards, ask your partner for feedback, then reflect yourself. Ask yourself: What went better than I expected? What one thing would I improve? Is one practice enough, or should I practice again before the real situation?
Worked example
Fictional example
The people and details are invented to illustrate an approach. It reports no outcomes.
Sophie must present a proposal to her company’s leadership team in two weeks. She’s never presented to executives and feels most anxious about handling their questions. She sets boundaries: she’ll practice a ten-minute version, focusing on the questions at the end. She asks a peer from her Circle, Ahmed, who regularly presents to senior leaders, to play the role of a skeptical executive. She explains she’s learning and asks him to watch how she handles challenging questions.
During the practice, Ahmed asks a question about costs that she can’t answer. She stumbles, then says she’ll follow up with the figures. Afterwards, Ahmed says that her recovery was good and that executives usually appreciate a clear follow-up promise. He suggests one improvement: start with the decision she’s asking for. Sophie reflects that the practice made the real presentation feel far less daunting, and decides to rehearse the opening once more.
Companion tool: Low-stakes practice planner
Skill to practice: ________
Real situation and date: ________
Part I feel least confident about: ________
Practice boundaries: what I’ll cover ________, what I won’t ________
Practice partner: ________
What I’ve asked them to watch for: ________
Practice date: ________
After the practice What went better than expected: ________
One thing to improve: ________
Partner’s feedback: ________
Practice again? ☐ Yes ☐ No
Boundaries
- Practice settings should be genuinely low-stakes. Don’t practice on clients or in situations where mistakes could affect others.
- Your practice partner isn’t responsible for how the real situation goes.
- Thank your partner, and offer to help them practice in return.
Member action
Rehearse a short presentation with a peer and ask for one improvement. Choose a peer who will be honest, and tell them what you’d like them to watch for.
Discussion prompt
How do you prepare for a professional situation where you’ll be doing something for the first time?
