Why even great speakers get nervous — and how they beat it

You’ve practised your slides and memorised your script, but the moment you step up, your mouth goes dry and your heart races. Glossophobia — fear of public speaking — is incredibly common. Some research suggests it’s the number one fear in the country, affecting up to 75 per cent of the population.

Yet every day, in boardrooms and on stages, people speak — and some even thrive. How?

“A good public speaker is someone who can stand in front of an audience or lens and communicate their message authentically,” Present with Impact Managing Director Cam Sullings says.

With over 30 years of experience as a radio, video and stage presenter, Cam coaches others to do the same.

Last year alone, he helped a Canberra startup secure $3 million in venture capital, coached elite athletes to deliver corporate keynotes, trained government executives for overseas media interactions and guided a “for purpose” CEO to share her story to spark social change.

“In my experience, the underlying issue for most people is a fear of being judged. Reputation is very important to us and when we place that reputation in any perceived danger, the primal fight, flight or freeze response kicks in,” he says.

“This reaction from your sympathetic nervous system is that old, reptilian part of your brain telling your body it’s in an unsafe place.”

This nervous system reaction can cause everything from shallow breathing to dizziness, shaking or nausea. Though some nerves can actually enhance performance, the trick is managing them before they take over.

While fear may never fully disappear, Cam has taught many how to manage — and even shine — in spite of it.

“I don’t believe I have a natural talent for speaking. I think there are very few people who do. If a person speaks well and looks polished, in my experience, a lot of work went into it; you don’t see that part,” he says.

“Those polished, word-perfect TED Talks you see are the result of six months of coaching. If they can do it, and I can do it, anyone can.”

Cam teaches executive clients how to manage anxiety leading up to and during a presentation. Beyond breathing techniques, much of it comes down to combating the intrusive and negative thoughts that can cause a person to spiral.

“We look at the science behind stage fright and provide tools to help trick your body out of that fight, flight or freeze mode,” he says.

“One approach is a kind of exposure hierarchy, testing yourself in front of a small, friendly audience and building up from there.

“If you’re set to speak on a certain date and start having negative thoughts, take a step back, have a moment to breathe, reset, and think about what you’re bringing to that presentation and why you were asked to deliver it. Rinse and repeat until you get to the big day, and then it’s about breathing.”

The course also explores knowing your audience – a critical component a speaker can easily lose sight of – and the concept of developing a routine of effective practice and rehearsal, without “over preparing”.

“You don’t want to deliver a presentation like it’s been rehearsed 100 times,” he says. “It doesn’t need to be word-perfect, but it does have to have substance. Audiences forgive the occasional stumble — being real is what’s important,” he says.

He teaches that strong presentations rest on three elements: storytelling, a key message (the “what” or “why”), and a call to action.

“Any opportunity to speak is essentially about trying to move your audience to an action, and it could be a simple direction like asking them to look at a website,” Cam says.

Of these elements, the “science of storytelling” is Cam’s favourite.

“It’s an art, yes, but there is also a science behind it. Learn that, and you know how to connect with your audience and make your message stick — that’s powerful.”

Storytelling is also central to Cam’s media training, which prepares clients to either tell their story or face tough questions.

“The media typically comes to you for one of two reasons: something really good – or really bad – has happened, and you either need to tell the story, or plead your case,” he says.

In either case, the speaker must balance what matters to them, the journalist, and – most importantly – the audience.

Cam’s media training includes “war room” simulations, where executives are asked all the questions they least want to answer.

“Invariably, those are the ones you’ll get,” he says. “It’s not about deflecting — it’s about answering what you can, authentically.”

Wading through the discomfort, sessions are recorded, replayed and repeated until the speaker gains confidence.

It’s hard work, but invaluable.

“I have had senior public servants say, ‘Why did we not get this training when I started in the public service?’ and others saying it’s some of the best training they’ve ever had,” Cam says.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see someone who was afraid of public speaking stand up and deliver — whether to an audience or the media … That’s when I sit back and glow on the inside.”

For more information, visit Present With Impact.