Public Speaking phobia, a hidden monster?

If it has become your phobia, take comfort, you are not alone!

Most people have experienced sweaty palms or an increased heart rate at some point when asked to speak in public. But, is it really a phobia?

In today’s fast paced career centred world, driven by ambitious, successful and confident individuals, it’s hard to believe such a large percentage of people suffer from this phobia, referred to as “Glassophobia.” Statistics reveal up to 75 percent of people world wide are affected by it.

Glassophobia, taken from the Greek words ‘glassa’ meaning tongue or language and ‘phobos’ meaning the personification of fear.

It’s astonishing that standing up in front of fellow human beings is ranked high up with phobias like Fear of Death (Necrophobia), Fear of Spiders (Arachnophobia) and Fear of Heights (Acrophobia). Studies indicate that more people would opt to parachute out of an aeroplane than speak in public.

It seems Glassophobia is indeed a monster! A ‘monster’ that doesn’t confine itself to public presentations. It is as likely to affect anyone needing to communicate in stressful, pressurised situations, both in the professional and social arenas.

A receptionist might encounter an unpleasant, difficult customer, and a sales consultant battling to close a sale, might face this monster. A manager, while battling to communicate with a variety of stake holders crucial to the business’ success might face the same challenges.

‘A first impression is a lasting impression!’ This might not always be true, but, unfortunately, in business we have less than 30 seconds to make a first impression.

Judgement is based on various verbal and non-verbal forms of communication. Non-verbal communication includes: Our posture, the way we walk, how we drive etc. Verbal communication includes: The tone, volume, pace and pitch of our speech, and the content. Often a first impression is formed before a person opens his mouth to speak. Remember, it is not WHAT we say, but HOW we say it! The actual words we say account for 7 percent, the tone of our voice or how we say it for 38 percent and our body language for 55 percent of the communication process.

We must face this monster, Glassophobia, before we can beat it. Past negative experiences are the most likely culprits. Many of us are filled with self-doubt, no matter how successful we become. We may fear being judged, ridiculed and embarrassed.

When this monster attacks, we feel threatened. Our brain releases adrenaline and steroids to protect us. This is most commonly referred to as the ‘flight or fight’ moment. Our blood pressure and heart rate rise causing the blood to flow faster to our muscles. Considering the interconnectivity between our mind, body and voice, every part of our body experiences symptoms of Glassophobia. These might include, a faster heart-beat, nausea, shortness of breath, hyperventilating, tense muscles, a tight jaw, a thick tongue, uncontrolled trembling, sweating, a higher vocal pitch or faster pace speech. Speech might become too loud or too soft depending on the individual.

When we encounter Glassophobia, we either fight the monster or flee from the situation. It might occur in any stressful situation, from presenting to a large or small audience, to interacting with one customer, in the meeting room at work or in an emotionally charged social situation.
While Glassophobia is not termed a disease, if left unchecked, anxiety disorders like this can get worse and affect our ability to function in ordinary life.

Yes, we can BEAT Glassophobia! Discover the root of your phobia. Remove those negative patterns. Give yourself permission to make mistakes. No-one is perfect.

Understand your strengths and develop them. Research well in your field, gain experience and confidence and become a ‘subject matter expert.’  This will help you move closer to achieving your goal. Stop believing your audience will always be critical. You have something important to impart to your listeners. Begin by liking and not fearing an audience. Energy can be powerful. The energy we feel for an audience, whether it be fear or love, will without doubt be transferred to them. Share information with passion. As you learn to understand various audience’s and listen to their needs, fear will diminish.

There are various stress management techniques. While the mind is stressed, it is almost impossible to focus and achieve our full potential.
Medications or alcohol might help in the short term, but they will never be long-term solutions.

Developing correct breathing techniques for communication will help you to relax your body and mind while developing your vocal technique, helping your voice become stronger, more resonant and the tone more assertive.

About the Director:

Rosanne Hurly-Coyne has been in the communication business for nearly 30 years, following a passion to communicate as a facilitator, teacher, adjudicator of public speaking events, a writer and performer.

Teaching and directing others is her special calling. She has taught students of all ages and believes firmly that it is never too late to develop the confidence to become a powerful communicator.

Rosanne believes that the secret to mastering effective, fearless communication lies in understanding that our body, mind and voice are inter-connected. Rosanne says: “Wrong ways are blockages acquired from bad habits, often developed unconsciously. If left unchecked, they become barriers to communication brilliance.”
Rosanne trains effective communication holistically. She says: “When we master the correct breathing technique for speech, develop greater self-awareness, identify our bad habits and find our unique strengths, it will empower us to become master communicators who are successful in business and in all spheres of life.”

For more information contact Communicate!  Visit our website: www.communicating.co.za

Email: info@communicating.co.za

Telephone: 031-7621008 or 082-6039080

Communicate! offers various Communication Skills courses including: Public Speaking, Customer Excellence, Tele-Personality courses, Call Centre Training,

Assertive Techniques, Conflict Management and Women’s Empowerment.

Communicate! offers a 10 percent discount on courses for NGO/ NPO’s, school staff developments and students.