How To: Cure Your Public Speaking Phobia

Did you know that public speaking is on the list of most common phobias, coming just below the fear of death? In fact, it even has it’s own name – ‘glossophobia’.

I found this out recently and thought to myself ‘no, that can’t be true. But then I reflected on my experiences of public speaking in the early days and decided, it probably is.

Very few people actually enjoy speaking to crowds of people. In fact, I doubt anybody has ever thought ‘that was great!’ after trying it for the first time.

Public speaking is dreaded by lots of us because it means for that period of time, all eyes are on us and for most, being the centre of attention is a scary, nerve-racking experience.

This week I was a keynote speaker at LinkedIn’s RecruitIn conference and was able to share my story and recruitment expertise with a crowd full of like-minded people. Over the last 30 years, I’ve learnt to love public speaking as a platform that enables me to motivate others and share snippets of wisdom that genuinely adds value to their lives, both professionally and personally.

There’s nothing more powerful than listening to a great speaker talking about something they’re passionate about and something you resonate with. A speaker who leaves you pondering thoughts days later – that’s the reaction we’re after. 

The common misconception surrounding the art of public speaking is it’s a born talent. Great speakers are born with charisma, confidence and the ability to hold an audience’ attention… this is not the case.

I believe everyone can harness the attributes of a great speaker, you just need to recognise them and teach yourself to replicate.

I can guarantee the majority of you reading this associate public speaking with feelings of sickness, anxiety, fear, embarrassment – the list goes on – and I completely understand why.

We’ve managed to teach ourselves to automatically have these feelings in such a situation, we can’t help it. So if we’ve managed to do this, surely we can train ourselves NOT to feel these things?

This is where the glimmer of hope presents itself. If we can teach ourselves, then surely it is possible to ‘un-teach’ ourselves, it’s all down to association and body language.

During my speech at LinkedIn I met a comedian and speaker, Deborah Frances-White, who introduced the Gazelle vs Lion concept to me. She explained that many speakers instantly categorize themselves as the gazelle; they back away from the audience, make constant erratic movements with their hands and shake their head. They speak quietly and avoid eye contact. They consistently look on edge.

Then we have the lion; this speaker walks towards the audience, they put their weight on their front feet, open up their arms, maintain eye contact, avoid shaking their head and exude confidence.

If you’re a gazelle, you see the audience as lions, all sitting there watching and waiting to pounce on you as prey. You automatically assume that the audience is out to get you and make it awkward for yourself and for them.

The lion, on the other hand, says to themselves ‘these people are here to take something valuable from my speech, let’s give it my all’. By changing your association like this, you will look more confident and comfortable.

Always remember that the audience is hoping and wishing you’re going to do a great job. Nobody enjoys watching someone stumble. They want you to be great so they can enjoy themselves.

The secret to ensuring this happens is enjoying yourself simultaneously.

Take a look at the room full of people and ask yourself ‘how can I make this great? Avoid being self-conscious and become audience-conscious instead.  

Do these things and I promise you’ll be thanking me later!

I'm launching an app! I want to give back to the industry that has given me so much in the last 30 years. Stay tuned for updates.