Most people will sit somewhere on the scale from extrovert to introvert and there are definitely cross-overs. Some introverts will be wonderful public speakers, while some extroverts will prefer to shy away from the spotlight.
Public speaking is something that a large number of people struggle with. For someone who is an introvert, it’s likely to be a very intense fear and something that you can’t imagine yourself doing. So it’s encouraging to know that 25% to 40% of the workforce are reported as being introverts. Introvert is a word that we’ve shied away from for years. After all, being the extrovert always sounds so much better when you compare it to the old terms used for an introvert such as wallflower, shy, quiet, dreamers and underconfident.
Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, we all have times when the idea of delivering a talk or presentation at work can feel daunting. While it’s said that extroverts find being in the spotlight easier than their introverted colleagues, I know for a fact that even extroverts will still get nervous or anxious in the run up to a presentation. So wherever you find yourself on the scale, I think you’ll find these ten tips useful to help you get in the right frame of mind for a presentation and able to deliver at your best.
10 TIPS TO HELP COMBAT NERVES FOR INTROVERTS AND EXTROVERTS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SPEAKING:
FOCUS ON YOUR STRENGTHS – While our brains often love to focus on the negative as it’s more powerful than positive thinking, we must remind ourselves of what we’re good at. Ask yourself, what you’ve done in your career to date? How have you got to where you are? Why are you the person to do this job? Remembering our strengths will build our confidence in ourselves. This in turn will support us when we start speaking.
CHARGE YOUR BATTERY – Everyone needs down time or alone time in order to recharge. Make sure your tank isn’t running on empty. Down time for you might be spending some time reading a book, cooking, having a bath, going for a walk in the park, taking an afternoon nap or hanging out with your best friend. Be sure to make space for downtime within your week.
JOURNALLING – This is a wonderful exercise and allows the overactive mind to pour out onto the page. Sometimes putting all of your thoughts down on paper gives the mind a lot of relief. Try it for yourself, it’s a wonderful way to process your ideas and thoughts and you may even find you resolve some of your challenges by writing about them. I promise you’ll feel freer and lighter once that load is lifted.
BE KIND TO YOURSELF – Positive self-talk also helps to boost your own confidence. Start to become aware of the way that you speak to yourself and try not to criticise yourself too much. Instead accept your feelings and focus on your positive attributes and strengthen them.
VISUALISE – Most of us have a wonderful imagination, so use it! Visualise your success. See yourself speaking confidently, clearly and calmly on stage or in a board meeting. Often what we’re imagining is how badly it could go and how uncomfortable you might feel. This is almost a self-fulfilling prophecy and won’t help you to do confident planning. So imagine it going really well. See it in detail, feel it, and hear the positive words and applause afterwards.
REHEARSE – I can’t stress this enough. Practicing your talk or presentation out loud not only helps your memory but allows you to feel more relaxed and comfortable on the day. Always, memorise the first few sentences and say them out loud privately before the talk (even if it’s a whisper in the bathroom at the event).
EMBRACE SILENCE – The worst thing people tend to do is try to fill the silences with something. That something often becomes a ramble or doesn’t make sense. We lose our composure and start losing the thread of what we were saying and we stop making sense. Instead embrace the silence, be okay with it. It gives the audience time to process your words and gives you time to find the right words and be more impactful with your speech.
PUT YOUR HAND UP TO SPEAK – It’s easy to sit back and allow others to lead and dominate, particularly if they are very good at it. It’s important to remember that your voice, thoughts, strengths and ideas are equally important and it is unfair on others to withhold them. Sometimes, we have to feel the fear and do it anyway! People will be grateful that you did.
PAUSE BEFORE YOU START SPEAKING – This is a great technique to get everyone’s attention before you start speaking and will give you a moment to just breathe and settle.
STRETCH BEFORE PRESENTING – Our bodies often fill with adrenalin before a presentation and we can react by tensing up. It’s a great idea to have a good stretch before we present. Find somewhere private and do a few start jumps, run on the spot or shake your hands and arms out. Another good tip is to tense your whole body and then relax to get rid of the tension.
Public speaking isn’t just for the naturally confident—it’s for anyone willing to step up, embrace their voice, and share their message with the world. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, your words have the power to inspire, influence, and create change. Nerves are simply a sign that you care, and with the right mindset, they can fuel your success rather than hold you back. Trust in your strengths, visualise your success, and step forward with courage. The world needs your voice—so take a deep breath, believe in yourself, and speak with confidence.
Good Luck!
Written by Kate Gilbert Copyright 2025
