But if you were about to guess public speaking and were too afraid to say it out loud, you know what I am talking about. In our country we are encouraged to speak freely and publicly, yet too many people are terrified of having to gave a presentation or talk up in class. Business leaders eagerly pursue job applicants who have the ability to speak in public or communicate as team leaders. Researchers are finding that doctors who know how to communicate empathetically with their patients are less likely to be sued for malpractice. You're not alone.
Many people break out in a cold sweat at the thought of having to give a presentation.
Even some professors experience butterflies prior to giving a lecture. I have been teaching for more than ten years and still experience a queasy stomach before my first class each semester. For example, you might begin by asking one question in class each day or saying at least one thing in every group discussion or trying to answer at least one of the professor's questions each day. You will not feel as if you're in the spotlight, but you will be speaking up and getting practice in presentational skills. A second technique to manage your fears of speaking in class is to concentrate more on your message than on yourself.