Three ways a fear of public speaking can affect you career (and what you can do about it)

I have been collecting data for two years from people who resister for a Fear-less public speaking course. Two of the questions I ask my clients are:

1. Do you actively avoid situations where you will have to speak? Just over 80% of participants answer ‘yes’ to this question.
2. Have you ever turned down a promotion or not applied for a job due to your fear of public speaking? Nearly 45% answer ‘yes’ to this question. And when I read the comments I believe the percentage of people whose career choices have been influenced by a fear of public speaking is even higher than this.

The people who take my courses have identified public speaking as a major fear that is impacting on their career and their life in general.  But also, they are people we come across in the workplace every day. They are talented, motivated, set high standards for themselves, are well regarded by their peers and managers, and often hiding a shameful secret. 

This article is the first of a two-part series. Part one is written mainly for people who have a fear of public speaking. My aim is for them to recognise the impact it is having on them professionally and how it doesn’t always have to be this way. Part two will be written for managers, Learning and Development professionals, recruiters, and those responsible for workplace wellbeing to help them understand the organisational impacts and how helping people address their fear of public speaking benefits everyone.

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