Expert offers solution to common social phobia that impairs promotion by at least 15% 

Those who fail to face their fear of speaking in public are putting themselves at a professional disadvantage, with their incomes likely to be impaired up to 10% and promotion prospects shrinking by at least 15% according to figures from Columbia University. Studies have shown that the fear of public speaking or glossophobia affects as many as three in four of the population yet just 8% of people have taken deliberate measures to overcome it. 

Communications coach John Deery who runs The Public Speaking Course has cautioned that a fear of public speaking also affects the student population, reducing the likelihood of college graduation by 10%. His comments come this ‘back to school’ season as expectations mount that the UK government will make public speaking an educational priority in their upcoming curriculum review. 

He says: “Humans are hardwired to be cautious about public speaking. We are social animals who evolved to rely on the group and so to avoid anything that might reduce our standing within it, like speaking out of turn. The good news is that modern psychology has given us tools to override our programming and while some of the techniques we deploy on The Public Speaking Course are specific to the individual, many can be applied to every public speaking situation, for example: 

If you can, always check out here you are speaking beforehand. Break the ‘fear’ of the room. 

Before you begin, take slow, conscious breaths – in through the nose and out through the mouth. Your exhale should last twice as long as your inhale. This will calm you down in any situation. 

Stay present – be in the now. 

Remember you are telling a story – focus on the beginning, middle and end. 

Make eye contact with your audience where possible, but not in a weird way! Just for a split second taking in all areas of the room. 

Use your body. Take up the space. Don’t apologise for being there – just be fully present, no matter what happens during your talk. 

If you make a mistake or go blank, acknowledge it. 

The Public Speaking Course runs monthly in Dublin and Cork for individuals. They also run workshops and masterclasses for companies and organisations. Full details and booking information for the one-day intensive, which takes place on Saturdays, can be found at www.thepublicspeakingcourse.com