The Hidden Reason You Fear Public Speaking (and How to Fix It)

You’ve been lied to.

Somewhere along the way, public speaking became a towering, blood-chilling fear—a ruthless test where a single misstep exposes you. A shaky voice? Failure. A forgotten line? Embarrassment. An audience staring at you, expecting brilliance? Terrifying.

But what if none of that is true?

What if public speaking isn’t actually about you at all?

What if it’s about them?

The people listening. The message that could change their perspective, their mindset, maybe even their lives. The opportunity to connect and perform, to serve and to impress.

The truth? You don’t need to be flawless to be powerful. You don’t even need to eliminate fear—you just need to shift your focus, embrace imperfection, and trust that what you have to say is worth hearing.

Let’s get into it.

 1. Get to the Root of Your Fear

Before you can overcome a fear, you have to understand it. And public speaking fear—glossophobia—often has deeper roots than just standing in front of an audience.

Ask yourself:

• Is it the fear of judgment?

• The pressure to be perfect?

• A past embarrassment that stuck with you?

Many fears of public speaking aren’t really about the act itself; they’re about the consequences we imagine. We picture humiliation, rejection, or scrutiny. We assume our mistakes will be catastrophic, that every audience member is waiting for us to fail.

But here’s the reality: no one is scrutinizing your every word. Most audiences are rooting for you. They care more about your message than your nerves. And once you realize that the disaster you’ve built in your mind isn’t real, the fear starts losing its grip.

2. Shift the Focus—It’s About Them, Not You

Yes, public speaking is a performance. It’s impossible not to perform. Every speaker—whether on a stage, in a meeting, or on a podcast—is performing.

But here’s the mistake we make: we assume the performance is about us.

That’s what makes us afraid—standing in front of an audience, hoping to be good enough, articulate enough, confident enough. Of course that’s terrifying! The pressure is suffocating when everything is about you.

But here’s the shift that will change everything: it’s not about you—it’s about your audience.

• What do they need to hear?

• What do you want them to walk away with?

• How do you want them to feel after you speak?

Your performance isn’t about proving your worth—it’s about delivering an idea in a way that resonates. And when you focus on serving the audience, your fear starts shrinking.

So, lean into the performance—but make it about them. That’s when public speaking becomes not just manageable, but powerful.

3. Embrace Imperfection—Because No One Notices Anyway

Have you ever been on stage? Ever forgotten lines, skipped paragraphs, and maybe even entire pages? Guess what—the audience never knew.

They weren’t sitting there with a script, checking for errors. They were watching a story unfold, trusting that what they saw was exactly what was meant to happen.

That’s public speaking.

People aren’t analyzing every word—they’re absorbing the message.

I’ve watched seasoned actors forget their lines and seamlessly adjust. I’ve personally skipped sections of scripts, forcing fellow actors into an improvised dance to ensure the plot stays intact. And the audience? Completely unaware.

Mistakes aren’t failures. They’re part of the craft.

So let go of the obsession with perfection, because it was never the goal.

Your Ideas Matter—Now Share Them

Public speaking isn’t a test. It’s an opportunity. It’s a way to lead, inspire, and connect.

You will never feel "ready" if you’re waiting to eliminate fear entirely. You will never feel "prepared" if you’re chasing perfection.

But you are ready.

Because it’s not about being flawless—it’s about being present, intentional, and focused on your audience.

So, step forward. Speak up. And trust that what you have to say is worth hearing.