What Are the Top 5 Problems People Have with Public Speaking?

What problems do you have with public speaking?

Public speaking is often described as one of the most common fears in the world—right up there with heights, spiders, and tax season. Yet it remains an essential skill in every walk of life. Whether you're pitching an idea at work, delivering a wedding toast, or speaking at a conference, your ability to speak with clarity, confidence, and impact matters.

But here’s the truth: even the most experienced speakers stumble. From nervous first-timers to seasoned professionals, there are certain pitfalls that almost everyone encounters at some point.

In this post, we’ll explore the five most common challenges in public speaking, unpack why they happen, and offer practical, research-based techniques you can use immediately to overcome them.

1. Stage Fright: When Nerves Take Over

Picture this: you're about to speak. Your mouth is dry, your heart is pounding, and your hands are trembling. You suddenly wish you were anywhere else.

Stage fright is the most frequently cited problem with public speaking, and it can strike regardless of how well-prepared you are.

Why It Happens:

It’s a biological response. Your brain perceives the audience as a potential threat, activating your fight-or-flight response. The result? Shaky hands, a racing heart, and a mind that goes frustratingly blank.

What You Can Do:

• Shift your mindset: Instead of trying to eliminate the nerves, accept them. Reframe anxiety as energy you can harness.

• Focus on service: You’re not there to be judged—you’re there to help, inform, or entertain. Keep the focus on your message, not yourself.

• Ground yourself physically: Press your feet firmly into the ground and take slow, controlled breaths. This calms the nervous system and keeps you centred.

Try This:

Before your next talk, do the "5-4-3-2-1" grounding technique:

• Name 5 things you can see

• 4 things you can touch

• 3 things you can hear

• 2 things you can smell

• 1 thing you can taste
  This technique brings you back into the present moment, which is where confidence lives.

2. Poor Audience Connection: Talking Without Resonating

You’ve delivered your talk—technically correct, well-researched, articulate—and yet, the room feels cold. Heads are down. Faces are blank. What went wrong?

The Challenge:

Many speakers forget that a speech is not a monologue. It’s a relationship. When we talk at an audience instead of withthem, we lose the chance to connect.

Common Traps:

• Overloading on data

• Speaking in jargon

• Ignoring the emotional tone of the room

How to Fix It:

• Speak their language: Know who you’re talking to. Use terms and examples that resonate with their world.

• Engage interactively: Ask questions, encourage nodding, and use real stories. This transforms a passive audience into active participants.

• React in real-time: If something lands well, expand on it. If something doesn’t, adapt.

Try This:

Write your next presentation like a conversation. Literally say it aloud as if you’re explaining it to a friend. Then write that version down and use it as your foundation.

3. Flat Delivery: The Curse of the Monotone

No matter how brilliant your message, if your delivery lacks energy, variety, or pace, your audience will check out before you reach the end of your second sentence.

The Core Issue:

When we're nervous, we often default to a "safe" voice—flat, slow, and neutral. Unfortunately, that voice doesn’t hold attention or inspire action.

The Fix:

Great speakers use their voice like an instrument. They shift pace to create urgency, lower their tone to emphasise gravity, and pause to create suspense.

Techniques to Try:

• Emphasise keywords: Choose one or two words in each sentence to stress for impact.

• Vary your tempo: Slow down for serious points. Speed up to build momentum.

• Master the pause: A well-placed pause gives your audience time to digest what you've said—and builds anticipation for what’s next.

Try This:

Record yourself reading a poem, song lyrics, or a speech by someone you admire. Play it back and identify where you could add vocal interest. Then re-record it with more variety. Practise this weekly.

4. Distracting Body Language: When the Body Betrays the Message

You say, “I’m thrilled to be here,” but your arms are crossed, your gaze is elsewhere, and you’re rocking from foot to foot. The result? Mixed messages, and a disconnect between words and movement.

Why It Happens:

When we’re focused on what we’re saying, we often neglect how we’re saying it. Nervous habits—like pacing, fidgeting, or closed posture—creep in unnoticed.

What to Do Instead:

• Anchor yourself: Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart. Use purposeful steps, not nervous pacing.

• Open gestures: Keep your hands visible and movements relaxed. Let gestures support your message rather than distract from it.

• Use your face: Eye contact and genuine facial expression are crucial to building trust and emotional connection.

Try This:

Film yourself delivering a short speech. Mute the audio and watch it. What’s your body saying? Does it match the message? Now try again, adjusting your posture and gestures to support your words.

5. Disorganised Structure: A Message That Meanders

Even confident speakers can struggle with clarity. You might have compelling stories, strong facts, and energy to spare—but if your ideas are scattered, your message won’t stick.

Why Structure Matters:

A strong structure helps your audience follow along, remember your key points, and stay engaged. Without it, even the best content gets lost in the noise.

Solutions That Work:

• Use a clear framework:

  • Introduction: Hook + Purpose

  • Body: Three main points

  • Conclusion: Recap + Call to Action

• Signpost your journey: Tell people where you are and where you’re going. Use phrases like, “Let’s start by looking at…”, or “Now, onto our final point…”

• Keep it simple: Each point should support your overall message. Don’t overcomplicate it.

Try This:

Write your next talk using sticky notes—one idea per note. Rearrange them on a table. This helps you spot logical gaps or tangents. When the flow feels right, write your talk from that outline.

The Bottom Line: Everyone Struggles—But Everyone Can Improve

These five problems aren’t signs of failure—they’re signs that you care about communicating well. That’s a good thing.

And the truth is, every great speaker—yes, every single one—has battled these issues. The difference is, they learned to work with them rather than against them.

You can do the same.

Ready to Take Your Speaking to the Next Level? Let’s Talk.

While blogs and books can offer useful tips, there’s no substitute for personal coaching. One-to-one support allows you to:

• Get targeted feedback tailored to your unique strengths and goals

• Build your confidence through guided practice and real-world preparation

• Sharpen your message and delivery so that every word lands with purpose

Whether you’re preparing for a high-stakes event or simply want to feel more comfortable speaking in meetings, I’m here to help.

Let’s work together to turn your speaking fears into strengths—and your ideas into impact.

Contact me today and start your journey to confident, compelling communication.