Mindset Shifts
How to be an authentic speaker – and what it really means
It is easy to recognise an “authentic” speaker but unpacking what it really means is harder. After all, public speaking is a performance – so how can you perform and be authentic at the same time? Although public speaking is a performance, it is not...
How to become a more confident public speaker by moving outside of your comfort zone (and why public speaking courses get results!)
More than 80% of people who register for Fear-less public speaking courses are actively avoiding public speaking. Some have chosen their career to avoid it. Others have turned down a promotion. Many palm off every speaking ‘opportunity’ to someone else. As well as being highly...
“Think purpose, not performance” and reduce your public speaking nerves
Thinking about your purpose rather than your performance when public speaking is the key to managing your public speaking anxiety. When you are standing in front of an audience it is very easy to think that it is all about you. And that makes you...
How to look like a confident public speaker (even when you don’t feel like one!)
We all want to look confident when we are presenting. We also want to feel confident – but most people can handle feeling a bit nervous as long as they can hide it from others! This in itself is interesting and I touched on it in...
How to apply a ‘growth mindset’ to public speaking
I had a cooking teacher at high school who told us that “good cooks are born, not made” which left me confused about why she had decided to become a cooking teacher! Her comment is a perfect illustration of a ‘fixed mindset’ described by Carol...
Why the Imposter Syndrome may explain your fear of public speaking- and what you can do about it
Research shows that 70% of people will experience the ‘Imposter Syndrome’ at some stage in their life. There are conflicting statistics about how many people fear public speaking. But we know that it is a common fear. And I am willing to bet that there is a...
Why introverts can be great public speakers – and why some extroverts are scared of public speaking!
People often assume that extroverts have an advantage in public speaking. Intuitively it sounds logical. Extroverts love the limelight while introverts shun it!But my experience coaching people with public speaking anxiety, suggests something different. For a start, I don’t believe there is any clear relationship...
Fight, flight, or freeze response to fear of public speaking
In a previous article I talked about how a fear of public speaking could have an evolutionary basis. The fight, flight or freeze response that many people experience is a primitive response to danger. Although the danger is clearly not life-threatening, our bodies respond as...
Public Speaking and the Shame of Appearing Nervous – Why Do We Care and What Can We Do?
Do you worry that your audience will notice your trembling hands or shaking voice? In this article I explore why we care about looking nervous, whether the audience really does notice (or care), and what we can do to hide the nerves. Why do we...
Nine ways to calm your nerves by connecting with your audience (and imagining your audience naked is not one of them!)
Presenting to an audience can feel unnatural. Most people don’t like being in the spotlight. It is tempting to become less noticeable by hiding behind a PowerPoint presentation. But that is an unhelpful strategy. We need to do the opposite because connecting with the audience...
How finding something important to say can boost your confidence.
While researching this topic, I came across a comment in an online forum.“I put on my first parent seminar this week. I was so terrified I almost cancelled! But I got over myself because I know parents are a bit desperate about how to help...
You don’t have to battle your fear of public speaking
Body language expert Mark Bowden, in his book “Winning Body Language” describes a man who came to him for help because he broke out in hives every time he presented. Mark urged him to accept his fear as the first step forward. Bowden says, “In...