Approaches To Public Speaking Anxiety

I've delivered 500+ keynotes. Here's a pro-tip for speaking/presenting. Your pre-performance ritual isn't optional. It's essential. The difference between good and transformational always comes down to those final 15 minutes. HERE'S MY NON-NEGOTIABLE RITUAL: T-minus 30 minutes: Tech check complete. No more logistics. T-minus 15 minutes: Complete isolation begins. This is when I start programming my nervous system for peak state. T-minus 10 minutes: Active preparation. I pace backstage, repeating my opening lines until they're cellular: "Change itself has changed..." "When we think about transformation..." "Let me tell you about the moment..." T-minus 5 minutes: Full state activation. No conversations. No distractions. Just presence. Why this matters: Your opening determines everything. If those first 30 seconds land perfectly, you're in flow for the entire presentation. If they don't, you spend 10 minutes trying to find your rhythm. THE SCIENCE: Your prefrontal cortex can hold 7±2 pieces of information. Your opening sequence needs all of that bandwidth. A "quick chat" deletes 3-4 of those slots. Now you're on stage trying to REMEMBER your opening instead of BEING it. FOR SPEAKERS/PRESENTERS: Protect your ritual. Write it into your contract: "15-minute isolation period before stage time required for optimal performance." This isn't being difficult. It's being professional. FOR THOSE HIRING SPEAKERS: Want maximum impact? Give us space to create it. We're not being antisocial. We're preparing to transform your audience. Think of us like athletes before a game or surgeons before surgery. The ritual isn't preference, it's preparation. THE FRAMEWORK: 1. Decide your optimal activation time (10-30 minutes) 2. Communicate boundaries clearly and early 3. Design your ritual for YOUR nervous system 4. Practice until it's automatic 5. Never apologize for protecting your performance Your boundaries aren't limitations. They're the architecture of excellence. What pre-performance ritual would unlock your next level?

After seeing me give a keynote last week in Seattle, a client asked me for my go-to stage prep tips—a question I get asked often this time of year. (Yes, even the most practiced public speakers still actively prepare for getting on stage. There’s no autopilot button for this!) Here’s what I shared with her: Physical Prep— >> Breathe: Diaphragmatic breathing. In through your nose, fill your belly, exhale slowly. It centers your body and gets your mind focused. (Also calms jitters). >> Posture: Stand tall. Feet shoulder-width apart. Chest open. Shoulders relaxed. Helps project confidence… and helps you physically own the space (think Executive Presence). >>Chew gum: Yes, really. Chew gum before you get up there. Releases tension, reduces dry mouth. (Just be sure to spit it out before you start speaking!). Mental Prep— >> Reframe nerves: Instead of “I’m nervous,” tell yourself “I’m excited.” That adrenaline? Let it FUEL you. >> Visualize success: Picture yourself delivering your message with confidence. Imagine the audience responding positively. Set the tone before you even start. >> It’s not about you: The key. Focus on them, not you. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about making a connection with the audience. Shift the spotlight to them in the first 20 seconds by asking a question or inviting them to move their body. You’ll get a second to catch your breath and actually take in the stage, lights, and audience at hand. One last thing? Thank the backstage crew for all their help. Because having a working mic and flattering lighting really matters—and you most definitely couldn't do that part without them.

I was standing in front of 5,000 people and said, “Good morning, so happy to be here —” And my voice cracked. It came out raspy, high-pitched, and weak. I was out of breath. My voice quivered. It took me five painful minutes to find my vocal stride. Here’s the truth: You can have the perfect words, but if your voice sounds tight, breathy, or shaky (hello vocal fry), your charisma disappears. And a bad vocal first impression? You almost never recover from it. That’s why I now do a 5-step vocal warm-up before every meeting, presentation, or speech where I’ll be speaking for more than a few minutes. Here’s the one I use (and you can too): The 5-Step Vocal Warm-Up 1. Loosen Up + Shush Shake out your shoulders, relax your neck + jaw, and take deep belly breaths (shoulders stay down, hands on belly like it’s a balloon filling with air). Then exhale like a librarian “shhh.” Pump the shush to wake up your diaphragm and lungs. It takes ~1 minute. 2. Tongue Trills Yes, it sounds silly. But rolling your R’s (brrrrr) loosens your tongue. Do it descending, then ascending (repeat 5 times each). 3. Hum It Up Hum low and high to warm up your vocal cords. Keep your jaw and cheeks loose, don’t press your lips. Hold it, then go up and down. Do ~5 reps each way. If you’re speaking in the morning, this is essential. 4. Chant Start with a hum, then open into: “Me, My, Mo, Mu.” Go up and down until your sound is clear and resonant (not raspy). 5. Pronounce Add crisp consonants for clarity: “Ma-Pa-Ta, Ma-Pa-Ta.” Open your mouth wide, exaggerate sounds. Repeat 5-10 times. In less than 5 minutes, you’ll sound clear, confident, and powerful. Check out this video to learn more vocal warm-up exercises: https://lnkd.in/gh4jzfEG

From being a stammerer filled with stage fright to delivering 100+ speeches in 4 years! Here are 10 things I did to train myself to be the best at it: 🎤 Practice Small Chunks: Break your speech into smaller sections and practice each part separately before combining them. This makes it easier to remember and reduces anxiety. 🎤 Record and Review: Record your practice sessions using your phone or a camera. Reviewing these recordings helps identify areas for improvement and track progress over time. 🎤 Gradual Exposure: Start by speaking in front of a mirror, then progress to speaking in front of a small group of friends or family, and gradually increase the audience size. This helps build confidence step-by-step. 🎤 Use Flashcards: Write key points or parts of your speech on flashcards. This helps you stay on track during your speech and reduces the fear of forgetting your lines. 🎤 Join Speaking Clubs: Participate in public speaking clubs like Toastmasters. Regular practice in a supportive environment helps you gain confidence and receive constructive feedback. 🎤 Practice with Distractions: Train yourself to stay focused by practicing your speech in environments with potential distractions, such as a noisy room or with background music playing. 🎤 Mirror Neurons: Watch videos of great speakers and try to mimic their body language and speaking style. This activates your mirror neurons, helping you learn by imitation. 🎤 Mindful Breathing: Before speaking, take deep breaths in for a count of four, hold for four, and exhale for four. This helps calm your nerves and centre your mind. 🎤 Positive Visualization: Spend a few minutes each day visualizing yourself giving a successful speech. Picture the audience applauding and yourself speaking confidently. This mental rehearsal can boost your confidence. 🎤 Use Technology: Utilize speech practice apps that provide real-time feedback on your speaking speed, volume, and clarity. This helps you adjust and improve your delivery. When I learned these lessons, I realized that public speaking wasn't something to fear but something to celebrate. To be able to reach more people and create a long-lasting impact! So, if you're struggling like I was, start training your brain. It's not easy, but it's worth it. ❤️ #publicspeaking #growth #communication #softskills

Confession: I'm a nervous public speaker… (yet I’ll make $1M+ from keynotes this year). Here are 9 strategies that turned my deepest fear into a powerful strength: PHASE 1: PREP WORK Strategy 1: Study the Best. We have the world's best speakers at our fingertips. Use them. Find 3-5 speakers you admire. Watch their talks on YouTube at 0.75x speed. Take notes on their structure and pacing, voice modulation, movement and gestures, audience engagement. Strategy 2: Create Clear Structure. Great speakers don't deliver speeches, they tell stories. Map your journey explicitly: opening hook, 3 key points, memorable close. Tell the audience where you're taking them. Strategy 3: Build Your "Lego Blocks." Don't memorize your entire speech. That's a trap. Instead, perfect these moments: your opening 30 seconds, key transitions, punchlines and closers. Practice in segments, not sequences. When things go sideways (they will), you'll adapt instead of freeze. Weird trick: Practice once while walking or jogging. It simulates the heart rate spike you'll feel on stage. PHASE 2: PRE-STAGE Strategy 4: Address the Spotlight. The Spotlight Effect: We think everyone's watching our every move. They're not. Use the "So What?" approach: Name your worst fear, ask "So what if it happens?", realize it's never that bad. You'll stumble? So what. Life goes on. Your family still loves you. Strategy 5: Get Into Character. Create your speaker persona. Ask yourself: What traits do they have? How do they move? What's their energy? Flip the switch. Become that character. It's not fake, it's your best self. Strategy 6: Eliminate Stress. The "Physiological Sigh" kills anxiety fast: Double-inhale through your nose, long exhale through your mouth, repeat 2-3 times. Science-backed. Immediate impact. PHASE 3: DELIVERY Strategy 7: Cut the Tension. Last week, they asked what song I wanted to enter to. I said "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys. They thought I was joking. I wasn't. "It's my 1-year-old's favorite song. Figured he'd be more excited to watch if Dad entered to his jam." Instant laughter. Tension gone. Audience on my side. Find your tension breaker. Use it early. Strategy 8: Play the Lava Game. Your pockets and torso are lava. Don't touch them. This forces you to gesture broadly, open your body, project confidence. Big gestures early build momentum. Strategy 9: Move Purposefully. Don't pace like you're nervous. Move like you own the room. Slow. Deliberate. Purposeful. Use movement to create dramatic pauses. Let your words land. Start with one speech, one strategy: Pick your next presentation—could be a team meeting, a toast, whatever. Choose ONE strategy from this list. Master it. Then add another. Public speaking is a muscle. These strategies are your workout plan. The more you practice, the stronger you get. Remember: Everyone gets nervous. The difference is having a system. Now you have one. Use it. Practice it. Watch yourself transform.

What makes a keynote truly resonate with an audience? I was recently helping a colleague prepare for his first keynote presentation. He knows that I spend a lot of time on keynote stages and that I enjoy coaching others who do as well. Stepping onto a keynote stage can feel daunting, but managing that adrenaline and delivering a compelling message comes down to preparation. When preparing a keynote, many people focus on gathering information. I encourage them to think instead about building a bridge of comprehension so the audience can clearly follow and connect with the message. One framework I often share is what I call the 5 P’s of keynote preparation. 1️⃣ Purpose. Define your goal. What exactly do you want your audience to Know, Feel, and Do? A clear purpose acts as a filter for what makes it into your keynote and ensures the content is relevant and meaningful. 2️⃣ Prime. Your keynote actually begins before you step on stage. Think carefully about your talk’s title and how it is announced. When you prime your audience well, they arrive ready and eager to hear your message. 3️⃣ Plan. Our brains crave structure. Instead of a wandering list of ideas, package your keynote logically. One framework I often use is “What? So What? Now What?” It keeps ideas concise, establishes relevance, and makes them easier to remember. 4️⃣ Premise. Avoid starting with “I’m glad to be here.” Capture attention immediately with a thoughtful question, a compelling story, or a surprising insight. Make it clear where you are taking the audience. 5️⃣ Presence. How you deliver matters just as much as what you say. Keep your posture strong and balanced, gesture with intention, use the space around you, and vary your vocal tone and pacing. These 5 P’s can help strengthen your keynote and improve any high-stakes communication. Always happy to help in crafting your keynote or delivering one to your firm. A quick glimpse at my keynote address at TiEcon last year, where I used the 5 P’s to prepare my own presentation. 👇

Rattled when speaking in front of an audience? Tired of being nervous? Communication is the number one skill in business according to LinkedIn, and public speaking is growing in importance – fast. But here’s the thing: If you are nervous or a mediocre speaker, modern audiences will sense it and will trust you less. That’s where my BMW method comes into play (see below). Here’s how you command attention with confidence and clarity - even if speaking in public makes you nervous: 1 - Grab Attention Fast ↳ You only get 7 seconds before your audience drifts off. Don’t waste these precious seconds on “Thanks for having me. Today I would like to…” ↳ Lead with something bold, surprising, or personal. 👉 Example: “Everything you believe about leadership? It’s likely wrong.” 2 - Command the Stage with Your Body ↳ Your non-verbal cues speak before you open your mouth. ↳ Stand upright, hold eye contact, and pause intentionally. This signals authority - even if you’re nervous inside. 3 - Slow Down and Stay Clear ↳ Anxious speakers often race through words. Slow down. Keep sentences sharp and pause often. ↳ Remember: Impactful communication is about connection, not perfection. 4 - Create Interaction, Not a Performance ↳ Forget memorizing scripts. Instead, invite your audience into the conversation. ↳ Example: “Who here has faced this challenge before?” 5 - Leverage the BMW Principle ↳ True confidence = Body + Mind + Words, all working in harmony. BODY: Breathe, ground yourself, and use meaningful gestures. MIND: Focus on serving your audience, not impressing them. WORDS: Be clear, avoid fillers, and embrace pauses. 👉 Example: Before stepping up, pause, ground your feet, and remind yourself – they need this message. 6 - Handle Q&A Like a Leader ↳ Q&A often derails weak communicators. ↳ Use the ABC Technique to stay on message: A: Answer briefly. B: Bridge to your key message. C: Communicate your key message. 7 - Close with a Bang ↳ Too many talks fade at the end. ↳ Be intentional. End with a single clear takeaway and inspire action. 👉 Example: “If you remember one thing — let it be this: [insert key idea here].” How do you get people to listen to you? - - - - ♻️ Repost to help others and follow Oliver Aust for more. ♟️ Want to become a top 1% communicator? Reach out here: https://lnkd.in/dgv6jSur

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲, 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗠𝘆 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗲, 𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗼 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗸, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜’𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 Fast forward to now — I’ve spoken confidently on stage in front of hundreds. So what changed? Not my personality — just my approach. Here’s the step-by-step plan I used to build my speaking skills from scratch👇 1️⃣ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 I didn’t jump into public speaking right away. I started by practicing alone, recording myself talking about simple topics. Listening to my recordings helped me spot areas to improve — tone, pace, and clarity. It felt silly at first, but hearing myself speak made me more comfortable with my own voice. 2️⃣ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗨𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 I began contributing in small group discussions and class presentations. Even just asking a question in a classroom helped me get used to hearing my own voice in public. The key was to make speaking a habit rather than a rare event. 3️⃣ 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 I joined my college’s theater club, where I could experiment without fear of judgment. Whether it was small rehearsals or larger performances, every step boosted my confidence. Being part of a group that valued expression over perfection was a game-changer. 4️⃣ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 I stopped trying to sound “perfect” and focused on telling a story. Sharing my own experiences made me feel more authentic and less rehearsed. I practiced weaving in anecdotes, emotions, and pauses — things that make speeches feel human. 5️⃣ 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 The turning point was realizing that nervousness isn’t a bad thing. I reframed it as excitement and used it to add energy to my words. Instead of hiding my anxiety, I acknowledged it — and found that honesty made me more relatable. 6️⃣ 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 — 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗚𝗼 𝗕𝗶𝗴 My first “public” speaking gig? A 2-minute intro at a small college event. From there, I kept volunteering for bigger opportunities — club events, seminars, and finally, large-scale functions. With each experience, my comfort zone expanded. 7️⃣ 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻, 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁 After every speaking opportunity, I asked for feedback — and listened without getting defensive. I noted what worked (and what didn’t) to refine my approach. Speaking is a skill, not a talent — every attempt makes you better. If you’re scared to speak up — remember, confidence isn’t the absence of fear. It’s the willingness to push through it. I started from scratch, just like anyone else. You can too. LinkedIn LinkedIn News India #PublicSpeaking #ConfidenceBuilding #StagePresence #PersonalGrowth #CareerSkills

Public speaking used to terrify me. I'd lose sleep the night before... go completely blank in front of a room. I used to dread every presentation. I’d stress over every word. And when I’d finally get up there...nothing. My mind would go blank. Fast forward to today... As a coach, I now run workshops, facilitate, and speak publicly with confidence. This morning, I shared my top 5 tips with the French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (FCCS) on how to "Speak to Influence". Here’s the breakdown: 1️⃣ Hook them early — 5 ways to open strong: ↳ Tell a story: “I once stood in front of 30 people... and forgot everything I planned to say.” ↳ Ask a question: “What if your biggest fear became your biggest strength?” ↳ Make a bold claim: “Most presentation advice is wrong—and here’s why.” ↳ Drop a stat: “75% of professionals fear public speaking. I used to be one of them.” ↳ Lead with WHY: Not what you're saying—but why it matters. 2️⃣ Prepare with the end in mind Ask yourself: ↳ What do I want the audience to feel? ↳ What do I want them to do after? Design everything—your tone, structure, slides—to drive that outcome. 3️⃣ Say it out loud—before you write it down ↳ We don’t speak like we write. So prep like this: ↳ Speak your ideas aloud. ↳ Then shape them into your script. (Because “Henceforth, furthermore…” doesn’t land in real life.) 4️⃣ End on a peak People remember two things: the peak and the end (Peak-end effect bias). So don’t fizzle out. Close with: ↳ a challenge ↳ a poll ↳ a call-to-action ↳ Or a simple mic-drop moment Make it stick. 5️⃣ Use story structure ↳ Forget data dumps. ↳ Build a narrative: set the context → introduce the hero → the pain → the climax → the solution. Most importantly, Don’t try to be Obama. Be you. Flaws and all. "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." Oscar Wilde If you’ve ever frozen in front of a room, I’ve been there. And I promise. It gets better. Which tip above would’ve helped you the most? P.S. If this helped, consider reposting ♻️ and share it with someone who's prepping for their next big talk.

I’ve already posted my five big “don’ts” for the hour before a keynote address. Here are five habits I follow instead - the things that genuinely help in the hour before you present. 1. Do a slow physical reset. Shoulders down, jaw relaxed, deep breaths. It tells your nervous system you’re safe, and your brain follows. 2. Walk the room if you can. Check the stage layout, stand at the back and look at the stage you’re going to be on. Take the stage and get a feel for the acoustics (and definitely ask them to set the lighting as it will be when you talk - I wasn’t able to do this recently and there was one badly adjusted light blinding me for the whole speech!). Familiarity dulls anxiety. 3. Run your opening line once out loud - but just once. A clean, confident start sets the tone for everything that follows. 4. Visualise the audience reacting well. Smile as you imagine them applauding. It shifts you out of fear and into purpose. 5. Remind yourself why you’re there. Not to impress. Or to just survive. But to help the audience learn something useful. What’s your advice to stay in the best frame of mind in the lull before you go on stage?