In meetings both offline and online or while listening to others speak on stage, nervousness and stage fright have always caught my attention. What concerns me most is that, in many cases, it has nothing to do with a lack of knowledge. Rather, it’s the difficulty of expressing that knowledge using the right words, the right structure, and the right emphasis.
I’ve seen presentations stretched unnecessarily long, cluttered with multiple fonts, excessive text, and too many images ironically making them less engaging instead of more. When some presenters later asked for my opinion, I often suggested enrolling in Speechcraft or a Toastmasters-equivalent course. Instead, many of them asked if I could run a short course myself.
That request made me reflect on a simple truth, people don’t lack ideas or expertise they struggle with confidence, clarity, and delivery.
Take His Royal Majesty King George VI (photo), for example. Known to have severe stammering, he faced the daunting task of addressing his nation during critical moments, including wartime broadcasts. Through relentless practice, guidance from a skilled speech therapist, and sheer determination, he transformed his speech from a source of fear into a tool of influence and reassurance. His journey reminds us that confidence in speaking can be built with preparation, persistence, and courage.
So, let's get down to business.
Your first question should be :
Have you ever noticed how nervousness shows up in different moments of life?
When you’re suddenly asked for your opinion in a meeting, or
When you’re required to give a presentation, or
When you’re on stage delivering a short lecture.
Or even on a first date.
The signs are often the same :
stammering,
losing your words,
sweaty palms,
a racing heart.
sometimes feeling as though it’s the end of the world. Yet it never is.
If the answer is YES, then you need help.
Fact :
Nervousness has little to do with genetics or underlying medical conditions such as blood pressure or heart disease (although it can temporarily affect both) More often, it’s simply the mind reacting to perceived exposure, not actual danger. Once this is understood, fear becomes manageable rather than paralysing.
1. Reframe what “stage fright” really is
Nervousness isn’t a weakness, it’s your body preparing you to perform. The problem begins when we interpret that sensation as danger instead of energy. The moment you accept that even senior leaders feel nervous, fear starts to lose its grip.
2. Preparation builds quiet confidence
You don’t need to memorise everything, just know your point.
Being able to explain your idea clearly in one or two sentences already puts you ahead of most people in the room. Confidence often comes after clarity, not before it.
3. Breathe, clear your mind, and anchor your message
Before speaking, take a deep breath, empty your head, and focus on what you want to say NOT how you’ll be judged. Practising a few key words or anchors beforehand is far more effective than memorising a full script. This allows you to speak naturally, using your own script, rather than sounding rigid or rehearsed.
Unless you’re a live television newscaster where sticking closely to a script is part of the job most audiences connect better with authenticity. Even then, newscasters are trained to think, act, and speak spontaneously when situations change.
Audiences respond to speakers who sound real: a light, appropriate joke, a personal touch, and clarity of thought signal confidence and, more importantly, that you truly understand what you’re talking about.
4. Speak early, speak briefly
Say something small at the beginning of a meeting, a clarification, a question, or a simple observation. This breaks the mental barrier. Once your voice is heard, speaking again becomes much easier.
5. Separate criticism from identity
Constructive criticism is about the idea, not you.
Treat feedback like data - What can I use? What can I set aside? The people who grow fastest are those who don’t take feedback personally.
6. Confidence is earned by surviving discomfort
There’s no shortcut. Each time you speak despite fear and nothing terrible happens - your brain updates its story: “I can do this.” Confidence is built through repetition, not perfection.
My opinion
Silence in meetings is often mistaken for professionalism, but respectful participation is far more valuable. Staying quiet out of fear denies the room your perspective and over time, denies you growth. Speaking up doesn’t mean being loud; it means being sincere, prepared, and present.
That said, silence does not always mean disengagement. Some members of a Board of Directors deliberately remain quiet, asking no questions, yet their body language and facial expressions clearly signal agreement or disagreement. This kind of silence is intentional and informed very different from silence driven by fear or uncertainty.
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