Public Speaking Fears Are Natural

EVERYONE HAS A FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING.

Yes, this includes you, too.

Thinking about what Mark Twain once said, we see two big reasons people struggle with confidence in public speaking: the worry of not being ready, and being too confident without enough preparation.

HERE’S WHY THIS MATTERS:

Public speaking fears, or glossophobia, impact around 75% of us. These fears come from different places, like the way we were raised, our family’s history with anxiety, and our own experiences. Getting past these fears can make us more confident and help us share our thoughts and ideas better.

As a coach for public speaking, I bring the Enneagram into my coaching. Tackling public speaking fears is more than just talking about how to stand or use slides. It’s really about getting to know why you’re speaking to your audience and what you want to achieve.

🎤 MIC CHECK: INTENTIONS REFRAME PUBLIC SPEAKING FEAR 🎤

Dealing with the fear of public speaking isn’t just about quick fixes. However, by carefully considering three essential questions before any speaking event, you can significantly clarify your intentions. This clarity not only helps in delivering your message more effectively but also in reducing the anxiety associated with public speaking.

1. WHAT DO I WANT MY AUDIENCE TO THINK?

Firstly, think about the key takeaways for your audience. What new insights or perspectives do you want them to have? This step is crucial for ensuring your message is positive and impactful. By focusing on logic, you make your argument stronger, which is vital for engaging your audience. Logical reasoning helps break down complex ideas into understandable chunks, making it easier for the audience to follow along. Furthermore, when your points are logically structured, it boosts your confidence, reducing public speaking fear.

🚨Pro Tip: Stay focused. A clear, logical flow keeps your audience engaged and makes your message more memorable.

2. WHAT DO I WANT MY AUDIENCE TO FEEL?

Secondly, the emotional connection is key in communication. You want to touch the hearts of your audience, making your message resonate on a deeper level. Every topic, no matter how technical, has an emotional angle. Addressing this angle makes your speech more relatable and persuasive. Emotional engagement is crucial for lasting impact, as people often remember how you made them feel long after they forget what you said. This approach also helps in easing public speaking fears by creating a genuine connection with your audience.

🚨Myth Busted: Emphasizing emotions means authentically expressing yourself, not resorting to unnecessary drama.

3. WHAT DO I WANT MY AUDIENCE TO DO?

Lastly, being explicit about the desired action from your audience is fundamental. Your credibility as a speaker—your ethos—plays a significant role here. Demonstrating knowledge, honesty, and ethical considerations builds trust. When the audience trusts you, they are more likely to be moved to action. This clarity not only ensures your message leads to the desired outcome but also bolsters your confidence, further mitigating public speaking fear.

🚨Outdated Tip: Simplifying the desired action for your audience, akin to the “Two Clicks and Print” rule, greatly enhances the likelihood of achieving your goals.

Incorporating these elements—logic, emotion, and credibility—into your public speaking strategy is challenging but essential. They significantly improve your ability to communicate effectively, making your speaking engagements more powerful and reducing your fear of public speaking.

Understanding and applying these principles allows speakers to connect with their audience on multiple levels, ensuring their message is not only heard but felt and acted upon. This holistic approach to communication can transform the daunting task of public speaking into an empowering experience, both for the speaker and the audience.

Keep speaking up your story,