Helping your people build confidence when speaking • 2 min read
Research from the Society for Human Resource Management stated that "while most people are hired for their technical abilities, their soft skills (like listening and communication) give them career durability."
Makes sense when a whopping 85% of what we know, we’ve actually learned through listening.
Introduction
Sweaty palms. A racing heart. That dreaded dry mouth. Many employees experience these symptoms before speaking in public. Public speaking anxiety is a common social phobia that can hinder your workforce from sharing ideas, gaining recognition, and making meaningful contributions.
These nerves often manifest as thoughts like:
“Everyone’s watching me.”
“They’ll see through my presentation.”
“I can’t stop shaking when I’m nervous.”
Such fears can prevent your people from realising their potential, limiting their impact and visibility in the workplace. Understanding and addressing this anxiety will help them unlock confidence and deliver more impactful presentations.
The roots of public speaking anxiety
Public speaking fear has evolutionary roots. In prehistoric times, being watched often signalled a threat, triggering defensive responses. Today, this instinct can resurface when speaking to an audience, making individuals feel vulnerable and exposed.
This perceived threat can lead to self-protective behaviours, such as avoiding eye contact, clinging to notes, or focusing on slides rather than engaging with the audience. Helping your workforce move past this instinct will empower them to communicate more effectively.
The power of eye contact
Encourage your employees to focus on eye contact as a key step to overcoming their public speaking fears. Connecting with their audience as individuals fosters engagement and builds confidence.
Small steps to better speaking
Help your people develop their skills with these practical steps:
Focus on one person at a timeEncourage employees to make sustained eye contact with one person per thought. This helps each listener feel personally addressed, creating a stronger connection.
Practise regularlyRepetition is key to reducing nerves. Encourage your team to think of public speaking as a series of one-on-one conversations rather than addressing a crowd.
Engage the entire roomRemind employees to include everyone, especially those on the edges of the room, to ensure the entire audience feels involved.
Key takeaways
Public speaking anxiety affects about 75% of individuals, but it can be managed with practice and the right techniques.
Strong public speaking skills enhance visibility and recognition in the workplace.
Sustained eye contact with one person at a time creates individual connections, fostering engagement and confidence.
Think big, act small
Encourage your workforce to practise public speaking in smaller, supportive settings before addressing larger audiences. This gradual approach will help them build confidence and presence over time.
Next, explore additional methods to help your team overcome public speaking fears and stand out as impactful communicators in your organisation.
Content sources
Business Insider, AJ Harbinger, ‘7 things everyone should know about the power of eye contact’
Harvard Business Review, Nicole Torres, ‘When You Pitch an Idea, Gestures Matter More Than Words’
Harvard Business Review, Sarah Gershman, ‘To Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking’
Harvard Business Review, Alison Shapira, ‘The Upside of Your Public Speaking Jitters’
Harvard Business Review, Joel Schwartzberg, ‘8 Ways to Deliver a Great Presentation (Even if You’re Super Anxious About It)
Psychology Today, Gary Drevitch, ‘How to Reduce the Anxiety of Public Speaking – Most people hate it. Here’s one way to hate it less’
Forbes, Ashely Stahl, Want To Become A Better Public Speaker? Here’s How.
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