According to studies as recent as 2020, it has been found that 75% of the population possess a fear of public speaking. In fact, fear of speaking in public is so common that a term has even been coined to refer to it: glossophobia. If speaking or presenting to an audience makes you nervous or afraid, you’re not alone! Your fear is shared by the majority of the people around you.
In all sincerity, it wouldn’t at all be surprising if this statistic has since risen, especially in the younger generation. We’re now witnessing the tail-end of the global Covid pandemic. Many countries experienced multiple lockdowns. Corporate employees—and more importantly, students—were stripped of their daily opportunities to congregate and communicate with their peers. Social interaction and interaction with our peers in environments such as schools and universities are the contexts in which we start new relationships, strengthen bonds and build our capacity to share and present our ideas in a group setting.
Speaking confidently in front of an audience doesn’t come naturally for most people. The skills and tactics of public speaking are developed and strengthened through practice, through face-to-face interactions. Rich contextual environments are often key to true communicative understanding. ‘Virtual meetings,’ although sometimes the next best alternative, just can’t provide the same level of non-verbal communication attained face to face. Before the Covid pandemic, presentation skills were already many people’s weakest link. In 2024’s business landscape, the lack of confidence and skill development the workforce faces in public speaking and presenting is even more dramatic.
Is Your Fear of Public Speaking Holding Back Your Career Growth?
As mentioned above, much of the population admittedly fear public speaking. They shy away from and avoid situations where they may find themselves presenting in front of an audience. This avoidance can lead to future opportunity costs. That is, you’re actively hurting your personal and professional advancement when you knowingly or unknowingly avoid situations to share your knowledge, experience and insights with others.
So what’s the good news then? Well, improving at delivering presentations and public speaking is a skill and therefore, by definition, it can be learned and continually sharpened with training, practice and accumulated experience.
“But why do I need to present at all?” This is a question I’m often asked. The answer is that if you want to get hired, want to be heard, want to be understood, want to be a leader or want to grow in your organisation, being able to communicate effectively and with confidence in front of an audience is crucial. You’ve got to step up and demonstrate your knowledge or abilities.
Whether sharing solutions and perspectives or simply presenting the hard work you and your team have performed, delivering presentations and speaking in public settings is essential to career growth. No one knows how brilliant or capable or passionate you are if you keep it to yourself. Running away from opportunities will affect your career goals. You can’t escape making presentations, but if it’s one of your greatest fears then how can you improve?
4 Tips for Becoming a Better Presenter
Firstly, I cannot over-emphasise the value of proper preparation and practice prior to any presentation delivery. You need to research and think about both your topic and your audience. Find some common ground through which you can begin to relate the materials in your presentation to the listeners. When you provide engaging and novel facts, statistics and stories to connect with your audience, it not only creates a sense of ownership of your presentation; it shows you took the time to personalise your presentation to this particular group of people.
Secondly, develop a slide deck that demands attention with powerful images and very few but impactful words. Remember: slides are supplementary and meant to enhance your delivery of the presentation but should not take over the show. I often find that presenters feel more confident when incorporating an engaging slide deck.
Thirdly, when practicing you should try to replicate real life conditions as closely as possible to the characteristics of the actual delivery day. This includes: having an audience, using your slide deck and any other supplementary materials, time management, Q&A practice, wearing presentation-day apparel and any other conditions you can simulate. The more you’re familiar with the real conditions, the more relaxed you will be and the more mental bandwidth you will have available to handle any unexpected surprises.
Lastly, present often. When opportunities arise, make sure you get involved. Nothing builds confidence more than accumulating successful experiences. Volunteer for low-stakes presentation opportunities. Take advantage of chances to share your thoughts or deliver presentations in settings in which you’re somewhat comfortable or contexts that push you just slightly out of your comfort zone. In the same way that physical training allows you to push yourself bit by bit and progressively strengthen your abilities, presentation and communication skills are ones you can flex and grow with practice.
You Deserve to Be Heard
You have great ideas. You have insights that no one else has. When you’re asked to give a presentation, there’s a good reason you were the one tasked with this duty. Your bosses or colleagues believe you have a special perspective and set of experiences no one else has. Understand that presentations and public speaking instances are your opportunity to make a real positive impression.
As the numbers I shared at the beginning of this article demonstrate, fear and nerves in these situations are extremely common. Overcoming your fear of presenting is one of the best things you can do for your career. Follow the tips above and seek out opportunities to develop your presentation skills and confidence in front of an audience. You’ll be surprised at how much these steps will benefit your career and overall success. If presentation nerves get the best of you, you can overcome this. Now is your time to shine!
Improve Your Presentation Skills in a Single Weekend
Is a fear of public speaking holding you back? Learn how to gain control over your nerves with expert guidance and tips.
Are you lucky enough to already have the self-confidence to stand up in front of an audience? Wonderful. You’ve gotten over one big stumbling block to effective presentations. You can focus your efforts on developing the personal tools to present your ideas so that they make an impact, so that you truly persuade and inspire.
AIHM’s two-day Executive Education course in Presentation Skills is your ticket to upgrading your career. Register for the next session now.
