The Important Roles of Fear in Public Speaking

Why is it, when someone asks us to speak before a group, that the mere thought sends quivers or convulsions through most of us? Suddenly, we lose sight of the fact that we routinely converse intelligently on a daily basis and conjure up strange notions of becoming a babbling fool in front of a crowd. Instantly, we have a severe case of “podium panic.”

When people talk about what they are afraid of, their comments include: Fear of forgetting their message; looking stupid; being humiliated; shaking; hyperventilating; passing out, etc. My all-time favorite came from a woman who said, “If I had a choice between speaking in front of a group or having a tooth pulled, I’d opt for the dentist every time.”

If you’re reading this, chances are you have experienced similarly scary thoughts about public speaking. Be assured that you are in good company. Jerry Seinfeld says, “According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Now this means, to the average person, that if you have to go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”

If you suffer from any form of stage fright, read on for advice on how to harness that fear.

Acknowledge Your Fear

Acknowledging your fear is the first step towards tackling the beast. Most people are somewhat fearful about speaking before an audience. Although you may think your case of “podium panic” is worse than most, be assured that you are no different than others. Nearly everyone has some fear of public speaking.

Once you’ve acknowledged that fear of public speaking is normal, understand that complete elimination of fear is not your goal. Some fear is healthy, and gives you the incentive and momentum to prepare and practice. If you had no fear at all, chances are you might be discounting the audience, not giving them your personal best, or worse, putting them to sleep with a boring presentation.

Turn Fear into Energy

Some fear or nervousness about giving a presentation is good, as it causes a physiological reaction. When we perceive that we are being faced with a significant challenge, our bodies produce adrenaline. Adrenaline gives us energy. That energy gives us “an edge.” Having energy and an edge is a good thing for a speaker, and contributes to a polished performance. The difference between a talented presenter and a nervous wreck is not fear. It’s not nerves. Both speakers are nervous, but the polished presenter is using the adrenaline, or energy, to his or her advantage.

Don’t Broadcast Your Nervousness

While fear is a normal part of public speaking, don’t tell your audience about what’s going on inside you. If they sense your unease, they will worry about you, or feel sorry for you, neither of which you want to occur. Do everything you can to control your nervousness, but remember, most often your nervousness doesn’t show. If you don’t tell your audience, they won’t know.

I cannot guarantee that you’ll have no fear the next time you speak, even if you follow the above steps. However, I can promise you that these tips will help you harness your positive energy. The goal is not to eliminate the butterflies, but to get those butterflies to fly in formation, heading in the right direction!