Imagine a continuum with “Love It” on one end and “Leave It” on the other.
If you were asked to deliver a presentation, facilitate a town hall, or speak at a conference, where would you place yourself on that continuum?
Would you eagerly volunteer and gravitate toward the “Love It” side? Or would the thought of standing in front of the room make you want to find the nearest exit?
Most of us live somewhere in the middle.
Here's what I've come to believe after decades of working with executives and teams: public speaking is one of the most valuable leadership skills in today’s workplace!
Whether you or someone on your team is leading a meeting, presenting to senior executives, facilitating a community gathering, or speaking at an industry event, your ability to communicate clearly and confidently influences credibility, impact, and effectiveness.
And yet, despite its value, many talented leaders and team members avoid public speaking whenever possible, and it is costing the organization more than most leaders realize.
The Cost of Avoidance
When capable leaders avoid speaking opportunities, something subtle happens.
The people with the deepest expertise stay silent. Influence drifts toward whoever is most comfortable at a microphone, not necessarily whoever has the best thinking. Succession pipelines weaken, because visibility is part of how organizations identify who's ready to lead.
So let me ask you what I ask the executive teams I work with:
If your most capable people felt confident speaking up, what would your organization gain?
Would good ideas surface earlier?
Would decisions move without layers of second-guessing?
Would your bench look deeper than it does today?
In organization development, we'd call avoidance like this a limiting pattern, one that lives in individuals but shapes the whole culture. The encouraging part is this: it's a practice that leaders can change.
The Reality of Speaking Anxiety
One of the most common reasons people shy away from public speaking is anxiety. Surprisingly, a certain amount of nervousness is actually beneficial.
That surge of energy before a presentation can sharpen your focus, increase your enthusiasm, and help you connect with your audience. The goal isn’t to eliminate nervousness. It’s to manage it effectively.
Several factors influence how much anxiety you experience:
Your level of preparation
Your familiarity with the topic
The amount of trust you have in your own expertise and experience
The thoughts and assumptions you bring into the situation
More often than not, our greatest obstacle isn't the audience. It's the story we're telling ourselves about what might happen when we are in front of an audience.
When Fear Takes the Microphone
You may have heard FEAR described as False Evidence Appearing Real. It’s true…
How many times have you imagined the worst possible outcome, only to discover that reality was far less dramatic?
Maybe you've worried you'll lose your train of thought, forget a point, or receive a question you can't answer. FYI, audiences are usually supportive and forgiving. They’re focused on what they can learn, not on catching your mistakes.
This is the same pattern I see in trust work. The story we tell ourselves shapes how we show up. When fear leads, anxiety grows. When preparation and perspective lead, confidence follows.
I know this one personally. During an audition for a seminar leader role, I expected to walk into a room full of people but found only a camera operator in an empty auditorium. After the initial shock, I chose to adapt, imagining a full audience and delivering the presentation I prepared with energy and humor. I left feeling proud of my effort and was asked to join the team of seminar leaders. The experience reinforced an important lesson: confidence grows when we adapt to unexpected circumstances rather than rely on ideal conditions.
Remember, confident speakers aren't fearless. They've simply learned how to make nervous butterflies fly in formation.
Three Phases of Managing Speaking Nerves
Managing speaking anxiety happens in three stages:
Before the presentation
During the presentation
After the presentation
Let’s focus on the first stage: preparation before the presentation.
1. Say “Yes” More Often
The fastest way to build confidence is through experience.
When a chance to speak shows up, consider taking it, even if it scares you. Growth is about stretching oneself, which rarely happens inside familiar territory.
Once you've committed, start practicing intentional, positive self-talk. Trade "I hope I don't mess up" for something that reinforces why you're there.
Try:
“I am excited to share this message.”
“I bring valuable experience and insight to this audience.”
“I connect effectively with people when I speak.”
“My goal is to serve, not to be perfect.”
At first, these statements may feel awkward or untrue. With practice, however, they can shift your focus from fear to contribution. After years of training and coaching workshop participants and would-be speakers, I’ve witnessed how managing anxiety begins with mindset. Helping people become aware of their thoughts—and choosing those that serve you—can reduce fear and build confidence. It's a process that may not be easy at first, but it is rewarding. The accomplishment and pride of just doing it is a confidence builder. What follows are suggestions to help with mindset shifts.
2. Prepare with Purpose
Twelve to twenty-four hours before you speak, at a minimum:
Organize your materials.
Knowing where everything is reduces uncertainty and last-minute stress.
Avoid major revisions.
Resist the urge to rewrite significant portions of your presentation at the last minute. Familiarity breeds confidence.
Review your content aloud.
Record yourself, or simply practice out loud. Hearing the flow reinforces your key points and strengthens recall.
Create conditions for success.
Prioritize rest, hydration, and a calm environment. Peak performance begins long before you step in front of an audience.
The Bottom Line
Confident speakers are not necessarily fearless speakers. More often, they are individuals who have learned how to prepare, manage their thoughts, and channel nervous energy into meaningful communication.
Public speaking isn't a talent reserved for a lucky few. It's a leadership skill, one that strengthens with practice, preparation, and perspective. And when more people develop it, the whole organization speaks with a clearer, steadier voice.
In the next piece in this series, we'll explore practical techniques for managing nerves in the moments right before and during a presentation.
Closing Thought
Public speaking gets easier when you stop focusing on performing and start focusing on serving the room in front of you.
If developing confident, credible communicators across your leadership team is a priority this year, I'm glad to have that conversation. Schedule a conversation