Fear of public speaking? It’s common among 1 in 5 people

Here are the factors that contribute to the anxiety and strategies for overcoming it.

A new survey of 2,007 individuals in the UK by Preply found that one-fifth of people hate public speaking and would avoid any opportunity to do it.

Three workplace scenarios, as follows, ranked in the top three of the most frightening for respondents: 

• job interview (32%)
• presenting in public (25%)
• work presentation (22%)   

Other anxiety-inducing situations ranked within a workplace setting include:

• speeches (22%)
• performing in front of others (21%)
• talking to authority figures (14%)
• workplace meetings (14%)
• participating in group discussions (12%)

According to the survey, forgetting words, freezing up, and looking foolish are the top three common anxieties behind glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, with more than 30% of respondents believing that their fear of public speaking is related to these factors.

The most common reasons for the fear of public speaking:

• forgetting words (36%)
• freezing up (33%) 
• looking foolish (33%)
• fear of being judged (32%)
• losing train of thought (28%)
• saying "erm" too many times (28%)
• not meeting expectations (22%)
• audience boredom or disinterest (22%)
• physical symptoms being visible (sweating, shaking, etc.) (22%)
• stuttering (21%)

As public speaking skills are important in the workplace, impacting various aspects of a role from daily communication to career progression, preparation and practice can help a person overcome fear and become a better public speaker.

It's worth noting that on average, individuals spend about 17.5 hours preparing a speech. This statistic highlights the dedication required to enhance public speaking skills.

In that sense, Sylvia Johnson, Head of Methodology, Preply, shares her suggestions about how to prepare effectively for public speaking, with an emphasis on two key stages: preparation and delivery.

Preparation:

• Know your audience: match your content, language, and style to their knowledge level, interests, and expectations.
• Gather information: organise all relevant facts, figures, anecdotes, and examples to support your points.
• Structure your speech: identify the purpose, main points, introduction, body, and conclusion for your speech, and then expand and organise your thoughts.
• Keep revising: write the first draft of your speech. Then review it, editing and revising for clarity, structure, and flow.
• Rehearse your speech: remember the flow of the presentation and time yourself to ensure you're within your allocated limit.

For delivery:

• Be aware of your non-verbal cues. Good posture and purposeful gestures help.
• Pay attention to the pace, volume, pitch, and tone of your voice to keep the audience engaged. Pausing for emphasis helps retain the audience's attention.
• Engage with the audience throughout the speech through eye contact, asking questions, or using audience input to shape your speech.
• Use visual aids, making it easier for your audience to understand and recall your message.

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Lead image / 123RF