Step up to the mic: How to approach public speaking?

Palms sweating, heart racing, and feet trembling — even the best orators are often jittery before taking the stage. The likes of Julia Roberts and Warren Buffett are no strangers to it.?

In fact, public speaking has been a prime source of stress and social anxiety for people in Australia and the United States , studies suggest.?

But when presentations, facing the cameras, or meetings form a regular and integral part of a professional’s life, how can those with a fear of public speaking approach opportunities? In this article, we ask a mental health professional and a leadership coach to share their insights.

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Beneath the surface?

For communication coach Sunidhi Biswas , the idea of presenting caused a nervous frenzy seven years ago. EventBeep’s founder Saurabh Mangrulkar also used to shy away from the spotlight during college. While the situation has changed for them now, what causes this nervousness?

Counselling psychologist Anjali Gursahaney has observed four reasons. First, according to her, is the fear of judgement. “Professionals may fear being judged negatively by their peers, superiors, or audience members. This fear of evaluation can lead to anxiety about making mistakes or not meeting expectations.”

This is followed by the fear of failure or rejection. Consumed by concerns over fumbling for words, forgetting lines, and lack of engagement from the audience, this fear often stems from anticipation of the future event, she adds.?

Physical symptoms like sweating or a racing heart may occur due to performance anxiety for some, while imposter syndrome could be the reason for self-doubt among other speakers, Gursahaney explains.?

And this fear of public speaking can restrict opportunities and hinder professional growth, soft skills and corporate trainer Aarti Ahuja says.?

Off the mark

From declining leadership roles to avoiding speaking engagements — this fear can keep professionals from showcasing their expertise, presenting their ideas, and networking with influential figures, Ahuja adds.?

What’s a common mistake that professionals make while approaching public speaking? Focusing on perfection, Gursahaney shares. This can lead to increased anxiety and self-criticism. “It’s essential for professionals to accept that imperfections are normal, and focus on delivering their message effectively rather than flawlessly,” she says.?

Reflecting on her experience of working with leadership teams, Ahuja believes that one’s mindset, not just skills, is often the key to success.

“It’s important to first tackle the limiting beliefs that hold you back,” she adds.?

She suggests watching out for oversights through the acronym ‘FUMBLE’:

? Failing to prepare adequately.

? Underestimating the audience’s needs or expectations.

? Mumbling or speaking too quickly.

? Body language inconsistencies (like avoiding eye contact or fidgeting).

? Lack of engagement with the audience.

? Excessive use of filler words or phrases.?

Showtime!?

To overcome the fear and work on public-speaking skills, start with the basics, Gursahaney suggests. When feeling uncomfortable, “…know that the end would always get better from where you are,” she says.

Unlike practising in front of a mirror, former rocket scientist-turned-author Ozan Varol suggests making, “the testing conditions as close as possible to reality.” He would assemble strangers to act as audience to mimic a situation he would likely face, Carmine Gallo writes for the Inc .?

Stressing on the importance of audience engagement through eye contact, interaction and storytelling, Gursahaney suggests visualisation to maintain comfort.??

Here are more tips from Gursahaney and Ahuja to improve one’s public-speaking skills:?

?? Practise to get confident and comfortable with the material and delivery.

?? Shift your focus away from your fears and onto the value of your message and how it can benefit your audience.

?? Practise relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualisation, or progressive muscle relaxation to manage anxiety before making the speech.?

?? Begin by speaking in front of smaller, more familiar groups before gradually working your way up to larger audiences.

?? Visualise a successful delivery.

?? Learn the techniques and styles applied by skilled speakers.

?? Click here to read the previous edition on the positives and negatives of creative resumes.

?? Being able to speak up on the spot during meetings is a valuable skill, author Vinita Bansal says. To build this skill, she suggests four practices in this post .?

?? Break your speech into sub-topics to help with your delivery, LinkedIn Top Voice Maheshwari Terse says. Read this post for more tips on public speaking.?

?? Public speaking is a skill that takes practise to perfect, shares Anthony Caloco , Assistant Professor at Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies. He shares more such insights in this post .

• Public speaking tips for introverts: Focus on the message, LinkedIn News Editor Nabila Rahhal writes in this piece .?
• Deliver presentations like a pro: Stick to three points, says communications strategist Janine Maclachlan . Read here for more tips.???
• Ace meetings with a ‘recap note’: Finding it difficult to participate in work meetings? Neuroscientist Juliette Han suggests a strategy to get visibility at work in this piece .

Warm up exercises, achieving impact with your voice, and various pitfalls to avoid — in this brief course , coach Nausheen I. Chen shares some tips to overcome the fear of public speaking.

This is the 29th edition of the biweekly newsletter from Get Hired by LinkedIn News India. Each issue aims to provide insights on everything jobs-related, combined with expert views and member voices.?

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By Dipal Desai — LinkedIn Editor covering jobs and career development in India

Associate Community Manager: Neha Upalekar