By Matt Taylor
Public speaking is one of the most common fears people have, but it does not have to hold you back. Some foundational tools can put you on a path toward improved speaking style. For instance, we previously covered how firefighters and fire officers can overcome the fear of public speaking as well as tips for rehearsing speeches. But what if the nerves persist? With the right approach, that nervous energy can become a tool, helping speakers sharpen their focus, connect with an audience and turn fear into an advantage.
How it works
Fear starts in the brain when it senses a threat. That signal activates the body’s stress response, causing adrenaline to be released. Adrenaline then prepares the body to act by increasing heart rate, breathing and alertness. Those physical changes can make the feeling of fear seem more intense — an experience acknowledged by comedian Jerry Seinfeld:
“According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than delivering the eulogy.”
The trick is to create a strategy in which the adrenaline spike works for you, not against you. You may not be able to avoid the fear that often comes with public speaking, but you can use it to your advantage by channeling it into energy. And, as a bonus, this natural, nervous energy can enhance your stage presence, strengthening your connection to the audience and increasing their engagement — you just have to harness and control the energy.
NEXT: If it matters, rehearse it: 12 public speaking tips for firefighters
Anchor adrenaline into your speech
Knowing that nervous energy is a natural part of public speaking, you should rehearse and make conscious decisions as to where you will use that adrenaline spike to emphasize specific points in your speech.
Energy in the introduction
The introduction of your speech is an opportunity to grab your audience’s attention and keep them engaged. It’s also a great way to release some of the stored-up nervous energy, hopefully offering a slight sense of relief as you settle into your speech.
Energy in the middle
When you review your speech, it’s important to identify the key moments you want the audience to remember and to inject them with your harnessed nervous energy. Even though you likely won’t feel nervous when you practice by yourself, as you read through your speech, practice speaking with enthusiasm and energy. This will help train your brain when to release the energy when you deliver your speech.
There is no minimum number of points you need to emphasize in a speech. However, I recommend keeping that number small. Fewer points are easier to manage, both in content and organization. The more points you include, the more information your audience has to receive, process and remember. Too many points can also make it harder to give each one the energy and focus it deserves.
Energy in the conclusion
After you make your case in the introduction and the body of the speech, end on a high note that pulls the speech together. When you inject energy into the conclusion of your speech, the audience will be more motivated to follow your final call to action.
Control your nerves with stage presence
It’s wonderful to have this natural energy as an asset to your speech; however, adrenaline must be controlled. I recommend running through your speech multiple times as if it’s the real thing. Even though you probably won’t feel the adrenaline while rehearsing your speech, you can practice the techniques necessary to control the energy when you present.
Manage the pace of your speech
Speed is one of the biggest challenges speakers face as a result of the natural energy. When you stand in front of an audience, it is easy to speak too quickly. The pace may feel comfortable to you because you already know what you want to say, but your audience is hearing it for the first time. They need time to receive and process your message. So, when you practice, practice speaking slowly. Doing so trains you to maintain an effective pace during the actual delivery.
Always remember that your audience is receiving your message in real time. At certain moments, they may need a brief pause to catch up. For example, if you make a joke and the audience laughs, let them laugh. Resist the urge to rush into your next point. Speaking over the audience will weaken the moment and reduce engagement. Your natural energy will push you to keep moving, but well-timed pauses help your audience stay with you and make your message more effective.
Don’t be afraid to walk around
You can also use your natural energy through physical movement during your speech. The steps you take on stage can be very powerful, but they should be coordinated with your message. If you are speaking directly to your audience, such as asking them a question, consider taking a step or two forward. Once the moment is complete, step back. When you are emphasizing a point, a purposeful step to the right or left can help reinforce what you’re saying. The key is to make sure every movement has meaning behind it; do not move just for the sake of moving.
Hand gestures can also help emphasize your message. When used with the right amount of energy, they can make your delivery stronger and more engaging. However, hand gestures are another area where natural energy can be difficult to control. If you’re not careful, your gestures can become exaggerated or move faster than the pace of your speech, which can distract the audience from your message. It’s important to practice your hand gestures just as you practice delivering your speech. Use the same movements and energy in rehearsal that you plan to use during your delivery.
Project your voice
Natural energy can also be used through your voice. Vocal projection is very important when giving a speech because it connects you to the audience and plays a major role in audience engagement.
As an audience member, you likely prefer a speaker you can easily hear without having to strain. When you give your speech, put energy behind your words so your voice comes through with a full, rich sound. We all have a voice to be heard, so use that energy to support its delivery. You can also use energy to create variance in your vocal projection. Variance can build anticipation or suspense for the audience and, when supported by energy, it can give your speech an additional edge.
Final thoughts
Like anything else, the more speeches you make, the better you will become at delivering them. Over time, you will learn to recognize the nervous energy that comes before a speech and channel it into your delivery. That surge of adrenaline may feel uncomfortable at first, but it can also sharpen your focus, strengthen your presence and help you connect with the audience.
Speaking in front of a crowd may never feel effortless, but once you learn to manage that energy, you can turn it into one of your greatest strengths as a speaker.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Matt Taylor works for the State of Georgia in the Department of Administrative Services – State Purchasing Division. He previously served in the U.S. Air Force, which is where he first developed his interest in public speaking. Taylor later joined Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person, and has been an active member for 14 years.
