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Last week I ran one of my open workshops in London and I had six fantastic participants and despite their professional experience and expertise, every one of them wanted to learn how to minimise their nerves. The fear of public speaking is a common and often paralysing condition.

As a departure from my usual session, I assigned them into pairs and asked them to share their worst fears relating to speaking in public.

1. What were they really afraid of ?
2. What would be the worst thing that could happen if what they feared actually came true?

Most peoples ultimate fear was that others would think less of them as a result of a poor public speaking performance. And when challenged as to what the worst outcome of this could be people struggled to find a really terrible outcome.

• Nobody would actually die or get hurt if the made a bad presentation
• They wouldn’t get the sack
• People would empathise with them

What we fear rarely comes true. in fact the more we avoid what we fear, the more we inflate that fear and the more paralysed we become. Ultimately our fear ensures that very outcome that we thing it is trying to protect us from, occurs.

Now consider what would happen if ignored the fear and you gave a good presentation:

• People would be impressed with your skills, knowledge and capabilities
• You could influence more people more quickly
• You might get positive feedback and encouragement
• It would enhance your chances of promotion

Finally, cast your mind back to your childhood and slowly review your life to the present day. What sort of things have you done that, at one time in your life you were afraid of? Haven’t you successfully faced your fears countless times and survived?

There are lots of tools and techniques for tackling fear and nerves but it’s always good start to challenge your fear and face it headlong.