Many people, on multiple occasions, have been afraid public speaking or have gone blank during a presentation.
There are even those who still do not dare to stand in front of a crowd because they understand that speaking well and having stage control are things one is born with.
But the psychologist and expert in public relations and communication, Amelia Reyes Moraexplains that speaking well in public is something that is learned, since no one is born knowing it. Today, in an interview with Listín Diario, he answers some of the main concerns when speaking in public or dominating a stage.
Can the fear of speaking in public be overcome?
In my experience, always. Even if it doesn’t disappear completely, stop controlling yourself. I myself have felt nervous before going on stage, and the difference is that you learn to manage them. That is trained. No one speaks well in public without having practiced.made mistakes and adjusted.
Where does that process begin? Where does that process begin?
By meet. Before talking about techniques, we perform an exercise self-assessment: how you move, how you sound, what gestures you make when you are nervous without realizing it. That self-knowledge is the first step.
What mistakes do leaders make most often when speaking?
We generally focus on the content and ignore something equally important: the staging. When there is coherence between what you say, how you say it and how you move, the message comes through with all its force.
A leader who masters his topic but speaks looking at the ground, with his arms crossed, with a monotonous rhythm and fillers, loses credibility without knowing it. The body and voice do not accompany the message, they define it.
How do you eliminate fillers?
First you have to identify them, because almost no one hears them themselves. Recording yourself is the best exercise. Once you detect them, you need to pause to think, practice three seconds of pause. Where before you put an “eh” or a “I mean”, put silence. It is uncomfortable at first, but the public perceives it as security.
Does eye contact really matter that much?
It is extremely powerful. Looking at people, not at the ceiling or slides, creates connection and conveys conviction. The ideal is hold your gaze for three to five seconds per personlooking around the entire auditorium while you speak.
Why do some people go blank right when presenting?
Because they try to remember a text instead of mastering ideas. When you memorize word for word, any stumble disconnects you. What works is having a clear structure of ideas, not sentences, and practicing out loud.
I also recommend the 4-7-8 breathing technique before going out in public: you inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, and exhale for 8. It is simple and very effective in reducing anxiety.
And what about the fear of judgment? Social networks seem to have multiplied it
Yes, the scrutiny intensified. hoy everything can be recorded and shared. But the answer is simple, it is to prepare better. The authenticity It is still what connects the most. People don’t remember someone who was perfect, they remember someone who was genuine and clear.
What makes a leader memorable when speaking?
The authenticity. People don’t remember perfect presentations, they remember who really spoke to them. Clarity, a well-told story and genuine emotion will be memorable.
What would you say to an executive who believes this doesn’t apply to them because “they already speak well”?
That communicating is not just talking. It is persuading, mobilizing, connecting and generating trust. In the business world, the ability to communicate with impact defines whether a project is approved, if a team is aligned, if a client trusts. Leaders who understand it and work on it have a real advantage over those who don’t.
Amelia Reyes Mora
