The Tribune

There are millions of people the world over who have a sincere fear of public speaking. As a matter of fact, statistics show that within the American population, public speaking is the number one fear. Some fear it more than the fear of dying. This means that at a funeral service they would rather be the one in the coffin than the one standing in front of the congregation giving the eulogy.

Indeed, the fear of public speaking is real and unless you face in head on it remains a major obstacle on your road to success.

The medical term for the fear of public speaking is “glossophobia” (from the Greek “glossa”, meaning tongue). While the exact cause of glossophobia is unknown it is believed that certain traumatic events in one’s past as a child or even as an adult may have led to such a fear. In any event, the only way to conquer this fear is to face it and master your ability to speak fearlessly.

But what does public speaking mean anyway and why does it matter?

In simple terms, public speaking is the process of orally communicating information to an audience; whether in the workplace, schools, in a private or public setting.

Speaking to people who are essentially the public makes for the term public speaking

The reason why it matters is because when it comes to success, whether on a personal, professional or business level, effective communication skills are the game changer.

The person who communicates better is perceived to be more likable, better educated and even more likely to be trusted. Hence the expression “the gift of gab”, which is the ability to speak with eloquence and fluency.

The fact is, words have power and the way spoken words are strung together creates the often emotional language that shapes perceptions and informs behaviours. Therefore, your capacity to communicate with confidence places you in the driver’s seat of personal influence. Through skilled public speaking skill, you are better able to influence and even drive sustainable social change.

Many of those considered to be world changers did so through the art of public speaking.

Consider skilled orators such as Cicero, Winston Churchill and Frederick Douglas, and today’s great speakers like President Barack Obama and leadership expert John C Maxwell – their oratory skills are a source of influence and inspiration.

What about you? Do you get nervous when presenting at company meetings? Do you find it hard to make conversation at gatherings and social events?

You can overcome these challenges by learning to conquer your fear of public speaking.

First things first, you must be willing to face the feelings that are causing the fear. So often the thing that drives us to flee is not the thing that we fear, but the feelings that lie beneath the thing that we fear. For this reason you must begin to identify your emotional connection to what you fear.

When you face your feelings, you learn to fix what you fear. There is no getting around this process because you cannot fix what you are unwilling to face.

As public speaking coach I know that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you are from, communication skills matter most. If you cannot communicate effectively, you are not maximising your potential. Having learnt this lesson early on, I recognise we each have a unique voice. It is our personal source of power. If we fail to master our voice, we fall prey to a life with limited power.

Moreover, our leadership effectiveness is tied to our ability to communicate effectively.

Those leaders who lack communication confidence are often ineffective at building support or gaining the trust of would-be followers. It is difficult for people to follow one who cannot clearly articulate where they are going.

Leader to leader, understand that your communication skills matters. When you find your voice, you find your power. Make today the day that you find the courage to conquer your fear of public speaking. In so doing, you assert yourself as an effective communicator who can readily live an empowered life.

What do you think? Please call 429-6770 or e-mail coaching242@yahoo.com.

• Michelle M Miller is a certified life coach, communication and leadership expert. Visit www.michellemmiller.com or send mail to PO Box CB-13060.