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 they fear 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 road block in your path to personal success.

The medical term for the fear of public speaking is “glossophobia”.

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 can lead 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, at school, in a private or public setting.

The reason why it matters is because when it comes to personal, professional or business success, 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 famous term “the gift of gab”, which is the ability to speak with eloquence and fluency.

The fact is that 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 skills 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 how skilled orators such as Cicero, Winston Churchill and Frederick Douglas, all the way to today’s contemporaries like of President Barack Obama and leadership expert John C Maxwell use their oratory skills as an persuasive 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 a public speaking coach I know for sure that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you are from, your communication skills matters. If you are unable to communicate effectively, you limit your opportunities to excel.

Leadership effectiveness requires the keen ability to communicate effectively. People will not readily follow a leader who cannot confidently express where it is they are going.

Leader to leader, understand that your public speaking skills matter. When you find your voice, you find your power. Your audacity to break your fear of public speaking is a critical step to living an empowered life. Yes, you can do it!

What do you think?

• Michelle M Miller is a certified life coach, communication and leadership expert. Visit www.michellemmiller.com or call 429-6770; mail can be sent to PO Box CB-13060.