What are the top 5 problems people have with public speaking?
Public speaking is a skill that sits somewhere between art and science. It’s essential for leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, and professionals alike. Yet, whether you're a nervous beginner or a seasoned speaker, the challenges remain remarkably consistent. You step up to the microphone and suddenly your throat tightens, your thoughts scatter, or your audience stares blankly.
In my years of coaching speakers—from first-time presenters to experienced professionals—I’ve found that five issues crop up time and again. Let’s take a deep dive into each, understand why they occur, and most importantly, explore how you can overcome them with confidence and clarity.
1. Stage Fright: The Tyranny of the Spotlight
“I went blank. I forgot my words. My legs were shaking so much I thought I'd fall over.”
Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
Stage fright (also known as performance anxiety) is the most widespread public speaking problem. It’s your body’s fight-or-flight response misfiring—treating your audience as a threat.
Psychological Insight:
Your brain perceives public scrutiny as danger. Cortisol floods your system, your heart rate spikes, and rational thought becomes harder. It’s not weakness—it’s biology.
Expert-Backed Strategies:
Reframe the fear: Fear and excitement share the same physiological symptoms. Tell yourself, “I’m excited to speak” instead of “I’m terrified”.
Visualise success: Elite athletes use visualisation to prime their minds. Picture yourself delivering your talk smoothly, engaging the crowd.
Breathe like a pro: Deep diaphragmatic breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system. Try the 4-4-6 method: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 6.
Practical Exercise:
Before your next talk, spend five minutes doing power poses (feet shoulder-width apart, arms on hips) while visualising a confident delivery. Then perform the 4-4-6 breathing cycle five times.
2. Poor Audience Engagement: Talking at Instead of to
You’ve rehearsed, you’ve memorised, and you’re speaking—but are they listening?
Many speakers deliver to the room without truly connecting with the people in it. The result? Boredom, distraction, and zero impact.
Relatable Scenario:
An engineer once told me, “I gave a presentation about a breakthrough we’d made—and no one cared. They looked at their phones!” He was brilliant, but his talk lacked relevance and warmth.
Expert-Backed Strategies:
Know your audience: Tailor content to their needs. What do they care about? What problems can you solve?
Use stories and questions: Human brains are wired for narrative and engagement. Stories create emotional investment; questions demand attention.
Maintain eye contact: In smaller groups, make eye contact with individuals. In larger audiences, scan the room in a calm Z-shaped motion.
Practical Exercise:
Rehearse your next presentation by recording yourself. Play it back and ask: “Would I want to listen to this?” If not, rewrite a section using a real-life story or example.
3. Lack of Vocal Variety: The Monotony Trap
A flat voice can flatten even the best content. When every sentence sounds the same, it becomes harder to follow—and even harder to care.
Psychological Insight:
Vocal monotony often stems from nerves. People concentrate so hard on remembering their words, they forget to perform them.
Expert-Backed Strategies:
Pitch, pace, pause, and power: Master these four elements.
Pitch for emotion
Pace for urgency or thoughtfulness
Pause for emphasis
Power for authority or softness
Read aloud daily: Choose excerpts from plays, novels, or speeches. Experiment with exaggeration to expand your vocal range.
Record and critique: Listening back to yourself reveals monotony or missed opportunities.
Practical Exercise:
Take a paragraph from a speech you like and deliver it in three different styles—dramatic, conversational, and persuasive. This builds vocal flexibility and control.
4. Ineffective Body Language: When Words and Movements Clash
Imagine someone saying, “I’m really confident in this plan,” while staring at the floor and shuffling their feet. Their body betrays their words.
Common Struggles:
Overusing hands or keeping them locked
Pacing like a caged animal
Avoiding eye contact
Turning your back on the audience
Expert-Backed Strategies:
Intentional gestures: Match your movements to your message. Use open gestures to emphasise openness or strength.
Own your space: Stand tall, plant your feet, and avoid pacing aimlessly.
Facial expression matters: Smile when appropriate; look concerned when sharing serious information. Let your face support your words.
Practical Exercise:
Deliver a short speech in front of a mirror or video camera. Watch your body language back with the sound off. What message are you sending with your body alone?
5. Poor Speech Organisation: A Lost Audience is a Lost Opportunity
You’ve probably heard a speaker who rambled, backtracked, or jumped from idea to idea without structure. You left thinking, “What was that even about?”
The Problem:
A lack of structure makes even great ideas forgettable. The audience can’t follow your logic—and if they’re confused, they’ll disconnect.
Expert-Backed Strategies:
Use a simple structure: Try this timeless format:
Tell them what you’re going to say
Say it
Tell them what you said
Use signposting: Guide your audience with phrases like “Let’s start with…”, “Now moving on to…”, “To summarise…”
Stick to three key points: People retain more when information is grouped in threes.
Practical Exercise:
Plan your next talk using index cards. Write each major point on a separate card, including one for your opening and one for your closing. Shuffle the cards—if your message still makes sense, your structure is solid.
Final Thoughts: Confidence Comes from Clarity, Consistency, and Coaching
Public speaking is not a gift you’re born with—it’s a skill you can learn, refine, and master. Every great speaker you admire once battled these same issues.
Here’s the good news: You don’t need to tackle them alone.
Let’s Work Together: Personalised Coaching to Take You Further
Whether you're preparing for a TEDx talk, a wedding speech, a job interview, or your first big presentation at work, personalised coaching accelerates your growth in ways no book or video ever can.
With one-to-one support, you’ll:
Gain tailored strategies to overcome your specific speaking challenges
Build confidence rooted in practice, not just theory
Receive honest, constructive feedback from an expert who’s seen it all
Develop persuasive delivery techniques that suit your natural style
If you're ready to transform your communication skills—and your confidence—I’d love to hear from you.
