Presentation Skills Training Courses - Call 0845 056 9696
Beating the fear of public speaking
If there is one thing that people say to be more than anything else, it is that they have a fear of public speaking. It does have a proper name actually – lalophobia. It is often top of the list of fears ahead of more obvious things like the fear of dying. Can it really be true that people would rather be in the coffin, than delivering the eulogy? Of course not.
I would like to suggest that those with a fear of public speaking have not thought this through. There are many things that we have to learn, that until we do can appear frightening. Driving at night, in the rain on the motorway might have felt terrifying when we had L plates, is much less so after passing the test and having some experience. The fear of public speaking does not relate to doing well, but rather to doing badly. In other words, the fear of public speaking is all about getting it wrong.
If you get everything right, there is no need for the fear at all. This is what training courses, one on one tuition and coaching is all about. Teaching the skills to ensure speaking success. Some skills are basic and easy to learn and use; others take a little more time to fully develop. However, the process of learning skills, puts into perspective the fear of public speaking and turns it more towards a learning process. We all learn, we all develop and we all can improve.
Every good speaker today has a history of starting out when they were less skilled and less able to control their fears of public speaking. Indeed, some speakers still feel part of the fear, but recognise it instead as excitement – a buzz. A little adrenalin can give you an edge – enhance the enthusiasm and passion. It is important to recognise this positive attribute and welcome it, rather than lump it with the more generic fear of public speaking expectations from the past. Once we think it through, the answer to beating the fear of public speaking is simple.
Do something to beat it. Training is an obvious option. Learn the skills, then seek out opportunities to practice them. If business presentations are critical, then local clubs, organisations are often seeking speakers at very low or no cost. Take the proactive approach to speaking. Stare the fear in its face and understand it for what it is – a concern about a lack of skiils. Learn the skills and fear evaporates leaving you with many occasions to look forward to – speaking in public with confidence and inside that smug feeling that you have at last beaten the fear of public speaking once and for all.
Back to News
Related Articles
Beating the fear of public speaking
Hypnosis and the Fear of speaking in public
Presentation Skills to survive
The importance of Public Speaking skills to Business.
New business: The only way through the Recession
Presentation Skills Training fit for the modern business world
Why do we fear Public Speaking?
Interview Technique: Difficult Interview Questions
Tips for improving your presentation skills
Fighting the fear of public speaking