I remember feeling confused. If that were true, why had she decided to become a cooking teacher?
Her comment is a perfect illustration of what psychologist Carol Dweck calls a fixed mindset, described in her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. A person with a fixed mindset believes that abilities such as intelligence and talent are innate and largely unchangeable. In contrast, someone with a growth mindset believes they can improve through effort, learning, and practice.
Dweck’s research shows that a growth mindset is a stronger predictor of success than natural talent.
As a coach, I see fixed mindset thinking all the time when it comes to public speaking. Many people develop public speaking anxiety because they assume they simply don’t have what it takes to be a good speaker.
One phrase I hear constantly is:
“I’m not good at thinking on my feet.”
I remember one of my earliest clients telling me that the breakthrough in his public speaking anxiety came when he realised:
“Public speaking is not this mysterious thing – it’s just a set of skills that can be learned.”
I absolutely believe this. Anyone who can think clearly can learn to speak well with the right support. Thinking of public speaking as a skill set, like learning a sport, a musical instrument, or even a language, is incredibly helpful (but don’t panic, as it’s actually easier to learn than any of those things!)
So if adopting a growth mindset is key to improving your public speaking, how do you actually develop one?
Here are five practical ways.
1. Learn good technique
Public speaking requires both competence and confidence. The good news is that these two reinforce each other. As you become more competent, your confidence naturally grows.
Public speaking is challenging because it combines several different skills. You need to organise your thoughts clearly and deliver them with impact. These are distinct abilities, but they are all learnable.
You can learn how to open a presentation well, structure your ideas, tell stories, and land a clear core message. You can also learn how to pause, make eye contact, speak clearly, and use body language effectively.
Even thinking on your feet can be learned.
Matt Abrahams, author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter, recommends having a few reliable structures you can fall back on. One simple and effective example is PREP:
-
Make a Point
-
Give a Reason
-
Provide an Example
-
Restate your Point
Structure reduces panic. It gives your brain somewhere safe to go.
2. Study great speakers
One of the best ways to learn is to observe others.
The TED platform is an excellent place to start. There is even a dedicated playlist on how to give a great presentation, which continues to evolve. Watching talks with a learner’s eye rather than a critic’s eye helps you internalise what works.
3. Find a safe place to practise
There is no shortcut around practice.
Improving your speaking skills requires doing it, ideally in a low-stakes, supportive environment. This might be a public speaking course, a Toastmasters club, or another friendly setting where the aim is growth rather than perfection.
Low-stakes practice is essential. Confidence does not come from avoiding speaking. It comes from surviving it repeatedly and realising you are capable.
4. Welcome (and filter) feedback
People with a growth mindset see feedback as information. People with a fixed mindset often experience it as criticism.
Good feedback should be constructive and sensitively delivered, but even when it is not, there is usually something useful to learn. This does not mean all feedback is valid or should be taken on board. It means learning to reflect on feedback and decide what, if anything, will help you improve.
That skill alone builds resilience.
5. Stop comparing yourself to others
This is crucial.
Much public speaking anxiety comes from unfavourable comparisons. But speakers you admire are usually more experienced, not fundamentally different. Even when someone has more natural ability, that simply means you may need to work a little harder.
Winston Churchill is a good reminder. He was not a natural orator. He prepared obsessively and had some very public failures. He is not remembered for those.
If you need further convincing, Carmine Gallo, author of Talk Like TED, describes tracking Steve Jobs’ development as a speaker:
“In 1984 Jobs was stiff and clutched the lectern as he spoke. He read from notes. A decade later he was more relaxed, but still not nearly as charismatic as he would become another ten years on. By the time he introduced the iPhone in 2007, he delivered what many consider the greatest business presentation ever.”
Jobs made public speaking look effortless because he worked at it for many hours, over many years.
Public speaking is not a gift bestowed on a lucky few.
It is a learnable skill. And believing that may be the most important step of all.
