Fear of public speaking: get rid of the fear

by Al Borowski

The chances are fairly high that most of you already know that public speaking or giving a presentation in front of a group is the Number One fear in the US.

Your presentation skills are an important part of you career path. To take you career to the next level, you need to overcome that fear. You need to master the art and skill of speaking to others.

I'm a "Whys Guy"

Let me tell you "why" so many people fear speaking in front of a group. I believe this fear started at a very early age. What do parents tell their children?

• "Children should be seen and ..."
• "Speak when ..."
• "If I want your opinion, ..."

From an early age we've been taught that, "... is golden." Then, when we entered the school system, we met classmates who make fun of us if we gave wrong answers. Even worse, we faced teachers who chided us for not answering fast enough and ridiculed us for wrong answers.

All this negativity added up to a reluctance to offer answers or become involved in class discussions. This traveled with us through our formal education and became a handicap in the business world.

Do you offer comments or questions in meetings?

For years, I kept my mouth shut in business meetings for fear I might "make a fool of myself." Then I started to realize that what I was thinking or the questions I wanted to ask could have proven valuable in the discussion. So, I started to contribute my thoughts and feelings at meetings. Guess what? They were welcomed and sometimes actually acted upon. Not always. But if I never spoke up, none of my ideas would become known.

If you have ever experienced similar feelings, you are not alone. You are good people with good ideas. Let your ideas or questions be known. And, lose your fear of speaking in front of a group or giving a presentation.

My friend, Mike McKinley's father used to tell him, "Nobody knows your script."

That's true. No one is going to know you made a "mistake" except you. Think about it this way. If your are giving a presentation, the chances are very high the people that attend your presentation are there because they are interested in you or your topic.

So, get rid of your fear. Welcome and even look for opportunities to speak in public or at meeting. Watch your confidence and career grow.