A few years ago, I met a man with who I had mutual friends at a social gathering. So, of course, I asked him what he did for a living. He said he was newly promoted to a management position within his corporation. He seemed exuberant and told me he looked forward to what he felt he could do for the organization. I congratulated him as I always do when someone has achieved a level of success. I just feel it’s good “karma” to help others celebrate their milestone, so I asked him about his new responsibilities.
He confided in me one of his first tasks a few days prior was to address the team at the weekly meeting with the executive who just promoted him and about a dozen other people. “Blaine I just froze! It was like I was watching myself in some sort of an out-of-body experience. I knew the words to say, but they wouldn’t come out.” His face went from an expression of excitement about the new job to one of anxiety.
He further explained his boss had to run interference for him as best he could to conclude the meeting. “I don’t know if I was more paralyzed by the meeting or my superior afterward.” He stated. “My boss looked at me and said I need to overcome my stage fright and how much I will be presenting to others in the company.”
I handed him my card and informed him I’m a public speaking coach and could help. We talked pricing and what kind of a plan we would put together to help him overcome his fear of speaking in public so he wouldn’t freeze up again. He seemed to be on board and said he would call me in a few days. But I never heard back from him.
Glossophobia or the fear of public speaking is nothing to be ashamed of. For many,
it is simply a new experience like mountain climbing, flying or the first time one drives a car. As a culture, we once attached a stigma to seeing a
therapist. Now mental hygiene is largely viewed as a part of whole-person health.
The bottom line is if you need help with something, get it. If you break your arm, you go
to the hospital. Why suffer a potential career or life setback when there are those qualified to provide that help?
We have all heard the old factoid of how the average person is more afraid of public speaking than death itself. According to Jerry Seinfeld, “If you happen to be at a funeral, you would rather be in the casket than delivering the eulogy.” That statistic came from “The Book of Lists” which was a best-seller written in the early 70’s. But glossophobia no longer holds the number one spot for fears.
According to a more recent study conducted by Chapman University, that distinction now goes to “politicophobia” or the fear of politicians! I’m not certain how one overcomes politicism, but any agitation that involves a skill can be overcome. And speaking to an audience is a skill.
I ran into the man again several months later. I asked him how he was and his new position. He simply stated he no longer worked there. I didn’t ask him why he left, but I didn’t have to ask. To save him from any embarrassment, I quickly changed the subject to more general topics than work.
I still think of that guy from time to time and wonder why he never called me, or anyone, who could help him. Perhaps he was too proud or thought it would all “work itself out.” But I have met hundreds of people who I suspect were sent to one of my seminars by their organizations to improve upon their communication or managerial abilities.
Decades ago, futurist and author Alvin Toffler once stated, “The illiterate of the twenty-first century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” He accurately predicted the work culture in our current times. To advance in business, a professional must be multi-skilled and one of those skills is that of communication in all its forms. So, if you need help, get it. Now if we could just mandate term limits for those politicians!
With the exception of the graphic, this article was written completely without the aid of artificial intelligence. Blaine Little is an author and CEO of Momentum Seminars Training & Coaching, helping companies remain profitable by investing in their people. Learn more at www.MomentumSeminars.com