Does your heart race at the mere thought of speaking in front of others? You're not alone. Public speaking anxiety, or 'glossophobia', affects countless professionals—from those who feel mild butterflies to those experiencing intense physical symptoms.

While many push through presentations, they often feel frustrated knowing their anxiety holds them back from performing at their best, creating an invisible ceiling in their career progression. The challenge? Unlike other skills, public speaking opportunities are rare, making it difficult to build confidence through regular practice in a safe environment.

Although public speaking anxiety often overlaps with social anxiety disorder, they're not the same thing. You can fear public speaking without having broader social anxiety—it's a specific fear centred around being judged or evaluated by groups. However, it forms part of the social anxiety realm as the primary fear is in relation to what other people think.

Take comfort in knowing this fear is deeply human—our ancestors needed to avoid negative judgement from groups to survive. But here's the good news: with professional support and the right techniques, you can overcome public speaking anxiety and unlock your full potential.