July 31, 2026
Public Speaking: Ten lessons I wish I’d learned earlier.
Public speaking is one of the most valuable professional skills you can develop, yet it remains one of the most common fears.
For many people, public speaking ranks among life’s greatest fears. Standing in front of a room full of people, or even speaking on a Teams call to colleagues, can feel daunting. Yet the ability to communicate confidently is one of the most valuable professional skills you can develop.
The good news is that great speakers are rarely born. They are made through preparation, practice and experience.
If you’re relatively new to public speaking, here are ten lessons that can make the journey much easier.
1. Know your audience
Don’t prepare the speech you want to give. Prepare the speech your audience needs to hear. Think about who they are, why they’re there and what you want them to remember when they leave.
2. Preparation beats confidence
Confidence doesn’t appear by magic. It comes from knowing your material inside out. Rehearse enough that you understand the flow rather than trying to memorise every word.
3. Start strongly
The first minute sets the tone. Begin with a story, a surprising fact, a thoughtful question or a powerful statement. Avoid apologising for being nervous or saying you haven’t had much time to prepare.
4. Slow down
Nerves make almost everyone speak too quickly. Pause more often than feels natural. Those pauses give your audience time to absorb your message and give you time to think.
5. Focus on connection, not perfection
Your audience isn’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for authenticity. If you lose your place or stumble over a word, simply continue. Most people won’t even notice.
Every experienced speaker was once a beginner, and every presentation is an opportunity to improve.
6. Speak with energy
Enthusiasm is contagious. If you sound interested in your subject, your audience is far more likely to be interested too. Let your personality come through.
7. Tell stories
People rarely remember statistics on their own. They remember stories. A well-chosen example or personal experience makes your message more memorable and relatable.
8. Make eye contact
Instead of looking over people’s heads or staring at your notes, look at individuals around the room. It creates a genuine sense of conversation rather than performance.
9. Welcome questions
Questions aren’t a test of your knowledge; they’re a sign that people are engaged. If you don’t know the answer, it’s perfectly acceptable to say so and offer to follow up afterwards.
10. Every speech is practice for the next one
No speaker delivers a perfect presentation every time. After each talk, reflect on what worked well and identify one thing you’d improve next time. Small improvements compound remarkably quickly.
The most accomplished speakers you admire were once beginners too. They learned by accepting invitations, embracing opportunities and occasionally making mistakes.
The biggest mistake is waiting until you feel completely ready.
If you have something worthwhile to say, people want to hear it.
Take the opportunity. Prepare well. Be yourself. Your confidence will grow with every presentation you give.
Contact Us
For an informal and confidential discussion about this article, or on any other subject, please contact our Founder & CEO, Philip Nelson, on 020 3590 9978 or via email at philip.nelson@thehiringdept.com.
Philip has over twenty years of experience in charity governance and executive search and currently serves as a Trustee of Coram Beanstalk and as the Policy Development Lead for Heritage & Tourism at The Green Party.
