Stop shrinking, start speaking, your voice belongs in the room.

You’re good at your job.
You know your team.
And when you talk one-on-one, people listen.

But something changes when all eyes turn to you in a meeting or presentation.

Your chest tightens.
Your palms sweat.
Your thoughts scatter.

And you find yourself thinking:

“Please don’t call on me.”
“What if I say something stupid?”
“Can’t someone else handle this?”

🛑 Here’s the truth no one says out loud:

The fear of public speaking doesn’t mean you’re weak.
It means you're human.

And at work, where the stakes feel especially high, that fear can become paralyzing.

But it doesn't have to stay that way.

🎯 Why Public Speaking at Work Feels So Scary

It’s not just about the act of speaking.
It’s about:

• Being seen

• Being judged

• Being misunderstood

• Being remembered for the wrong thing

The workplace adds pressure.
There are power dynamics, performance reviews, and people who talk louder—even if they say less.

So what do you do?

You shrink.
You pass the mic.
You stay quiet even when you have something valuable to say.

💡 But here’s what’s really at risk:

When you don’t speak up, you lose:

• Credibility

• Visibility

• Influence

• Opportunities

Worse—others begin to underestimate you, and eventually, you may begin to underestimate yourself.

💥 Let’s Fix That: 5 Steps to Overcome Speaking Fear at Work

✅ 1. Name the Fear—Out Loud

Fear thrives in silence. Say it:

“I’m nervous about presenting tomorrow.”
“I get anxious speaking in meetings.”

Naming it diffuses its power and gives you space to respond with intention.

✅ 2. Prepare One Strong Talking Point

You don’t need to say everything.
Just one well-thought-out point can change how you’re perceived.

Ask yourself:

What insight or recommendation can I offer today?

Prepare it. Practice it. Deliver it.

✅ 3. Practice in Low-Stakes Settings

Don’t wait for the big board meeting to find your voice.
Start with:

• Team stand-ups

• 1:1 check-ins

• Project update emails (with a voice memo!)

• Volunteer to intro a speaker or recap a meeting

Confidence builds with repetition—not pressure.

✅ 4. Flip the Focus From You to Them

Fear screams, “What will they think of me?”
Confidence whispers, “What do they need to hear?”

Before you speak, shift your attention:

“How can this help the team?”
“What would move the project forward?”
“What truth needs to be said in this room?”

Now you’re not performing. You’re contributing.

✅ 5. Breathe & Move

Before you speak:

• Drop your shoulders

• Take a deep, slow breath

• Place both feet flat on the floor

Your body signals to your brain: “I’ve got this.”
Stand tall. Speak slow. You’re already leading.

💎 Final Truth: You Don’t Have to Be the Loudest to Be Heard

You don’t need to dominate meetings.
You don’t need a booming voice.
You just need the courage to take up space.

Speaking up at work is an act of leadership.
And it starts with believing that what you have to say… matters.