𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

Alex* had always been an introverted entrepreneur with a passion for sustainable technology. They founded their startup, focusing on eco-friendly innovations, to make a positive impact on the environment.

As their business grew, Alex faced a daunting challenge: they were terrified of public speaking, a crucial skill for gaining recognition at conferences, pitching to investors, and spreading their message. This fear, they worried, would limit their company's potential.

After discussing the issue with their co-founders, Alex realized they needed to confront this fear head-on. Through these conversations, they understood the root cause: fear of rejection. Interestingly, identifying the source of the fear made it diminish slightly.

They sought guidance from mentors and peers who had overcome similar challenges. One mentor, an introvert who had mastered public speaking over a decade, shared a valuable insight: while the fear never disappears, success comes from focusing on the benefits of speaking and visualizing a positive impact on just one person rather than trying to motivate an entire room.

Alex began with small steps. They practiced speaking to their team about industry topics and current projects in other countries. Though voluntary, these events quickly drew high attendance as team members valued gaining a broader perspective and appreciated Alex's willingness to push past anxiety to share knowledge. Alex also joined a public speaking group to get feedback and support from others on similar journeys. They confronted their worst-case scenario, failing to secure funding due to poor presentation skills, and reminded themselves of past funding fears that had resolved over time.

As Alex faced their fears, their confidence and speaking abilities grew. While public events still triggered nervousness, it evolved from overwhelming dread to manageable anxiety. Alex came to accept this nervousness as natural and appropriate.

Their growing comfort at events yielded exciting results. They met several large clients at conferences, along with a national partner and three potential investors for their next round. Through the weekly voluntary events, Alex became more effective at inspiring the team and other stakeholders.

Why Public Speaking Matters

Public speaking is a pivotal skill for startup founders. Whether you’re pitching to investors, leading a team meeting, or sharing your vision at a conference, your ability to communicate effectively can shape your company’s future and inspire those around you.

Yet for many introverted founders, the idea of standing in front of a crowd can feel daunting, sometimes even overwhelming. You may worry that public speaking is inherently performative or fear being judged for your ideas and mistakes. If talking to a small group is draining, then you may imagine speaking to a large crowd to be exhausting.

“There are only two types of speakers in the world:

the nervous and liars.”

— Mark Twain

These anxieties are real, but they are not insurmountable. In fact, introverts possess unique strengths that can make them powerful, memorable speakers including thoughtfulness, deep preparation, and authenticity.

Reframing the Stage and Making It Your Own

"You have to do it your way. You have

to be 100% your authentic self on stage."

— Matthew Pollard

Clarity, passion, and sincerity have more impact than volume or bravado. Choose to speak about topics and missions that truly matter to you. While you'll need to craft your message, practice delivery, and consider body language and staging, a thoughtful and sincere core message will motivate you to push forward.

Use storytelling as a powerful tool. Share your background to provide context about what led you to start this company, weaving personal stories into your message for greater impact, or (with permission) presenting real customer cases to demonstrate actual improvements.

As an introvert, you'll excel at meticulous preparation: researching, outlining, scripting, and rehearsing. Practice by speaking aloud in front of a mirror, recording yourself, presenting to friends and colleagues, or seeking feedback from small groups. Keep slides clear and concise, avoiding full sentences. Your slides should support your talk without becoming a distraction or a crutch that pulls focus from your audience.

Include practice sessions where someone deliberately introduces interruptions. Since presentations rarely go exactly as planned, practicing with distractions will help you become less dependent on your script and more comfortable with improvisation.

Finally, remember that practice isn't acting. Speak from your heart in a way that feels natural while remaining clear and understandable. People who truly care about your vision and business will prefer an authentic presentation over a polished but superficial performance.

Your goal should be to prepare so thoroughly that the potential for impact and your confidence in being well-rehearsed far outweigh any fear of taking the stage.

Practical Strategies for the Stage

"Introverts need to trust their gut and

share ideas as powerfully as they can.

This does not mean aping extroverts.

Ideas can be shared in your own way."

— Susan Cain

Here are practical steps to help you prepare for and improve your speaking in front of a large group.

BEFORE

• Build confidence through "small wins" by speaking to small groups, giving virtual talks, and running internal meetings. Each practice session makes you more comfortable.

• Identify the single most important idea you want your audience to remember. Center your preparation around this core message to keep your talk focused and impactful.

• Visualize success by spending a few quiet minutes imagining yourself speaking confidently and the audience responding positively. Visualization can reduce anxiety and prime your mind for a successful experience.

• Schedule downtime before and after events. Arrive early to avoid crowds and skip pre-talk socializing or events.

• Visit the speaking space beforehand to familiarize yourself with its layout.

• Develop pre-speaking routines like breathing exercises, positive visualization, and grounding techniques to manage nerves.

• Chat with audience members before the event if possible. This helps them relate to you and reminds you that they're rooting for your success.

• Adopt a growth mindset—view potential setbacks as learning opportunities. When you treat each talk as a chance to grow, success follows naturally.

“You can speak well if your tongue

can deliver the message of your heart.”

— John Ford

DURING

• Share a personal story early to build rapport and make your message memorable. Then engage your audience by asking questions about their interests or background (e.g., "Where are you from?").

• If you're nervous, it's fine to acknowledge it briefly ("I'm excited to share this with you, even if I'm a bit nervous!"). This humanizes you and builds audience connection.

• Remind yourself of the authenticity and value of the message you plan to deliver. Include points that you would have wanted someone to tell your younger self.

• Make meaningful eye contact by focusing on different individuals for a few seconds each, rather than constantly scanning the room.

• Use strategic pauses for emphasis. They let you gather thoughts and help key points resonate. Silence can be powerful and help control your pacing.

• Keep a simple outline or cue cards nearby. Glance at them if needed, but avoid reading word-for-word to maintain audience connection.

• Ground yourself by standing firmly or using a podium for support. Avoid distracting movements like pacing or fidgeting.

• Let slides, props, or videos support your presentation, giving you natural breaks to pause and regroup.

• Monitor your energy. You may incorporate a brief audience activity, show a short clip, or pause to see if people have questions to refresh yourself and re-engage the room.

AFTER

• Immediately after your talk, note what went well and what you'd like to improve while it's fresh in your mind.

• Collect feedback through anonymous surveys and open-ended questions (e.g., "What resonated with you most?" or "How could this presentation improve?").

• Network on your terms. If post-event mingling drains you, set a time limit or connect with just a few people instead of working the entire room.

• Leverage your writing skills to enhance your impact through follow-up emails sharing insights you heard at the conference, upcoming events that may be of interest, or useful resources (e.g., blog posts, podcasts, books).

• Watch a recording of your talk to assess your body language, pacing, and audience reactions. Note areas for improvement.

• Refine your materials promptly based on feedback and personal reflections to enhance your slides, stories, or delivery.

• Schedule quiet time or a favorite solo activity afterward to recharge.

Most importantly, celebrate the win! Acknowledge your progress in speaking in front of this group and pick two or three highlights that make you particularly proud.

Key Takeaway: Public speaking isn't about performance but about sharing ideas and inspiring others authentically. Introverted leaders are naturally equipped to offer powerful insights with some practice.

Skills Developer: Choose one specific way to prepare for and improve your next speaking opportunity in front of the team or a wider audience.

---------------------------------

* Alex’s story is a fictional account inspired by various people and situations I've encountered over the years. It was created to provide another perspective on this topic.

I wrote this post with AI editing. Photo by Matheus Bertelli.

What if the quietest person in the room is the one that changes the world?

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