The Truth About Public Speaking: Why Even Experienced Speakers Feel Stage Fright

One of the most common topics that comes up in my coaching sessions is public speaking.

Whether my clients are:

• founders from promising startups preparing to pitch investors

• experienced leaders stepping onto large conference stages

• or new managers presenting to their teams at a town hall

Public speaking is often one of the areas they most want to develop. And almost all of them are looking for the same thing:

How do I overcome stage fright?

That rush of adrenaline you feel in the first moments of speaking. The slight tremor in your voice. The sensation that the ground is moving under your feet. Many people hope there is a magic button that will make those sensations disappear.

But here is the honest truth. During my career I have given hundreds of talks:

• presentations on large stages with hundreds of people

• boardroom presentations with senior global executives

• live TV broadcasts

• studio broadcasts during COVID

• and more recently, performing music live while singing and playing guitar

And almost every time I still feel exactly what my clients describe as stage fright. Because it is a completely natural reaction of the body and mind to uncertainty, responsibility, and attention. When hundreds of eyes are focused on you, your nervous system activates. Interestingly, the only times I don’t feel it are when I present something very routine to an audience I’ve spoken to many times before.

Which leads to an important insight: The goal is not to eliminate stage fright. The real skill is learning how to work with that energy rather than against it.

The Ultimate Truth About Public Speaking

While some people are naturally comfortable presenting — articulate, charismatic, and at ease with attention (and I do consider myself one of those people) — the best presenters still work hard in preparation.

My strongest presentations have almost always been the ones that were: written, rewritten, structured, rehearsed, and almost learned by heart. Over time the preparation becomes lighter. Instead of scripting every word, you learn to outline the story and key messages.

But one habit I still keep today: I memorize the first few sentences of my speech. Those first moments are when your body and nervous system are adjusting to the room, the lights, the audience, and the pressure. Having those first lines internalised allows you to operate on autopilot while you settle into the moment.

Few Tips To Help You Speak With Presence

1. Story is everything

People rarely remember slides. They remember stories. Start with an engaging opening — a surprising fact, a short story, a moment of humor, or a powerful question. Those first seconds determine whether your audience leans in or mentally checks out.

2. Write your speech at least once

For important presentations I often write the entire speech. Not because I will deliver it word for word — but because writing forces you to clarify your thinking. It helps you discover the right flow, the right emphasis, and the most important ideas. Once the story becomes clear, speaking naturally becomes much easier.

3. Memorize the first 5–7 sentences

Memorize the first few sentences of your talk. This removes the anxiety of wondering what to say next and allows you to focus on how you say it. Once you pass those first moments, your nervous system usually settles.

4. Slow down

When adrenaline rises, the natural instinct is to speak faster. But speaking faster does not reduce adrenaline — it only makes it harder for your audience to follow you. Pause. Breathe. Allow silence. Confidence often sounds like calmness and space, not speed.

5. Find friendly faces

In every audience there are always a few people who are smiling, nodding, and listening attentively. You will recognise them quickly. Let them become your anchor points. Speak to them as if you are having a conversation.Their presence will naturally help you relax.

6. Remember to enjoy the moment

In communication, people remember how you made them feel far more than the exact words you said. Tone, presence, and energy often carry more impact than content alone. So allow yourself to enjoy the moment. Because great presentations are not just about delivering information.They are about creating an experience.

Final thought

Stage fright rarely disappears completely. And that’s actually a good sign. It means you care. The real mastery of public speaking is not eliminating the adrenaline. It is learning how to transform it into presence, energy, and connection with your audience.

If you need help preparing to your next big pitch, you know where to find me, we will work together on a story, and most improtantly on how you present it.