10 Reasons You Do NOT Need Public Speaking Training

By Public speaking coach Mark Westbrook

Public speaking.

Some say it’s an essential skill, the key to leadership, influence, and professional success. But you? You know better.

You’ve been getting by just fine with your trusty mix of mumbling, sweating, and general incoherence. Why fix what isn’t completely broken?

If you’ve ever considered improving your public speaking skills, take a step back and read this first. Here are ten solid reasons why you should absolutely avoid any and all training.

1. You Love the Sound of “Umm” and “Like”

Some people work hard to eliminate filler words from their speech. But what’s the point? They’re comforting. They give you time to think. They make you sound relatable.

Sure, they also make you sound unprepared and hesitant. And yes, they make it harder for people to follow what you’re saying. But if people really care, they’ll listen extra hard to decode your message.

Or they’ll tune out entirely. But hey, their loss.

Straight talk: If your speech is packed with “umm,” “like,” and “you know,” you sound uncertain. And uncertainty is the fastest way to lose credibility.

2. Nervous Sweating is Your Signature Look

Why would you want to confidently stand in front of an audience when you could instead experience a full-body meltdown?

A little sweat never hurt anyone. A lot of sweat, though? That’s a different story. Watching someone visibly dissolve under the pressure of public speaking is wildly distracting—and not in a good way.

And let’s not forget about the shaky hands, voice cracks, and deep, gasping breaths. Nothing says “trust me, I know what I’m talking about” like looking and sounding like you’re about to pass out.

Straight talk: Nervous energy is normal, but if it’s controlling you, it’s controlling your audience’s perception of you. Public speaking training teaches you how to manage it, so your message—not your stress—takes center stage.

3. Eye Contact is Overrated Anyway

Why would you look people in the eye when you can stare at the floor, the ceiling, or the one friendly face in the room who might be pity-listening?

Some say eye contact builds trust and connection. But maintaining it takes effort. And why put in effort when you can keep your audience guessing where you’ll look next?

Besides, if you avoid eye contact long enough, maybe you can pretend no one is actually there. Problem solved.

Straight talk: Eye contact creates a connection. People listen to speakers they feel engaged with. If you can’t look at your audience, don’t expect them to listen to you.

4. Your Audience Will Love Guessing Your Main Point

Why be clear and structured when you can ramble your way into oblivion? A well-organized speech is predictable. A chaotic, unfocused mess? Now that’s exciting.

Audiences love a mystery. Let them play detective as they try to piece together what, exactly, you’re trying to say. If they’re confused, that’s on them. Right?

Straight talk: If people can’t follow your message, they won’t take action. They won’t remember what you said. And they definitely won’t see you as an expert.

5. If You Speak Fast Enough, They Might Not Notice Your Mistakes

Talking too fast is an underrated strategy. You’re nervous? Speed up. Don’t know what to say? Keep talking.

And if you get completely lost? Just say something. Anything. Whatever words come to mind. The goal is to cross the finish line as quickly as possible.

Will people actually understand you? Who knows. But at least you’re done.

Straight talk: Speed kills clarity. A well-paced speaker sounds confident. A rushed speaker sounds panicked. And panic isn’t persuasive.

6. Persuasion is for People Who Care Too Much

Some people refine their messages, strengthen their arguments, and craft persuasive speeches that inspire action.

But that sounds exhausting.

If people don’t immediately understand your point, that’s their problem, not yours. You’re just here to say your piece and move on.

Straight talk: If you want people to act, you need to learn how to persuade them. And persuasion is a skill—not an accident.

7. “Public Speaking Anxiety” is Just a Fancy Term for Adrenaline

What’s the worst that could happen? Your heart races, your hands shake, your voice trembles, and your brain decides to completely blank out mid-sentence.

Normal. Totally normal.

If your goal is to feel like you’re being hunted by a lion every time you speak in public, then congratulations—you’ve mastered the art of survival mode speaking.

Straight talk: Nerves don’t go away on their own. But public speaking training teaches you how to control them—so instead of being paralyzed by fear, you can actually perform well.

8. Nobody Pays Attention to Presentations Anyway

You could be the best speaker in the world, but let’s be real: half the room is scrolling their phones, someone in the back is zoning out, and at least one person is silently judging your font choice.

So why bother improving?

Straight talk: People do pay attention—when a speaker is compelling. If your audience is bored, that’s on you.

9. PowerPoint Can Do the Talking for You

Why practice speaking when you can just read directly from your slides? Better yet, cram as much text as possible onto each slide. That way, no one actually needs to listen to you at all.

Nothing captivates a room quite like a 40-slide deck packed with tiny text.

Straight talk: PowerPoint should enhance your presentation, not replace it. If you’re leaning on slides to do the heavy lifting, you’re already losing your audience.

10. Your Reputation Can Survive a Few Disastrous Speeches

A bad speech? No big deal. People forget these things.

Except when they don’t.

Except when your boss, colleagues, or potential clients remember that time you fumbled through a presentation and lost all credibility.

Except when a single bad public speaking moment becomes the thing people remember you for.

Straight talk: Your ability to communicate is a direct reflection of your competence. A strong speaker is seen as a strong leader. A weak speaker? Well, let’s just say opportunities have a way of quietly disappearing.

Final Thought: Are You Actually Okay with Being Bad at This?

Let’s be real.

If you saw yourself in this list, it’s not because you don’t need public speaking training. It’s because you do.

The question is: are you okay with staying exactly where you are?

Are you okay with missing out on promotions, losing credibility, or being the speaker that everyone forgets—or worse, remembers for the wrong reasons?

Or do you actually want to get better?

Public speaking isn’t just a skill—it’s a cheat code for success. It opens doors, builds influence, and separates leaders from everyone else.

So yeah, you can keep winging it. You can keep hoping you’ll magically improve without putting in any effort.

Or you can take the next step and actually do something about it.

Your call. Get in touch, we want to help.