TL;DR:
Public speaking is one of the UK’s most common fears, affecting employees’ confidence, mental health, and career progression. Corporate induction and L&D programmes that include public speaking courses online, supported by workbooks and journals, reduce fear, build confidence in communication, and equip staff with essential storytelling and presentation skills.
In the UK, public speaking is consistently ranked as one of the top three phobias. According to a YouGov study in April 2025, 15% of individuals report a fear of speaking in public, with over one in five (21%) actively avoiding opportunities to speak. This widespread anxiety is not limited to adults; studies in 2021 found that 64% of university students reported fear of public speaking, highlighting a societal challenge that spans generations.
For organisations, this fear has tangible implications: it affects productivity, collaboration, and employees’ ability to engage and lead effectively. By incorporating public speaking courses online into induction and L&D programmes, companies can help staff overcome these fears, develop confidence in communication, and improve overall performance.
Understanding the Fear
Glossophobia, the clinical term for fear of public speaking, persists due to several factors:
- Misconceptions: Many individuals feel they are alone in their fear, viewing it as a personal failing rather than a common human experience (Fear-less Public Speaking).
- Inadequate Preparation: Practising in a controlled environment often doesn’t replicate the pressure of actual public speaking, making live events feel daunting.
- Focus on External Factors: Anxiety often stems from being the centre of attention and fearing negative judgment from others.
- Fear of Failure (Atelophobia): Some individuals fear making mistakes or appearing incompetent, creating heightened stress during presentations.
The YouGov survey also revealed the specific triggers for public speaking anxiety among UK adults:
● Forgetting words (36%)
● Freezing up (33%)
● Looking foolish (33%)
High-stakes scenarios such as job interviews (32%), public presentations (25%), and work presentations (22%) were the most anxiety-inducing. Among Gen Z, 63% would avoid speaking opportunities if they weren’t required, illustrating the persistent nature of this fear across age groups.
The Case for Corporate Public Speaking Training
Despite these fears, public speaking is a core workplace skill. From presentations to team meetings, employees need confidence, clarity, and the ability to engage an audience. Structured training helps employees:
● Develop confidence in communication
● Reduce fear associated with speaking in public
● Learn to structure and deliver messages effectively
● Engage audiences through storytelling and persuasion
Embedding public speaking in induction ensures that new starters begin their journey confidently, while offering courses, workbooks, and journals through L&D libraries provides ongoing skill development for all employees.
Overcoming Fear with Practical Tools
Providing staff with courses, workbooks, and journals enables them to gradually overcome fear in a safe, structured way. Confidence journals allow reflection, goal-setting, and tracking progress, while workbooks and online courses give practical exercises and frameworks to improve skills.
● Online courses: Flexible and self-paced, ideal for diverse learning styles. Explore courses Add link
● Workbooks: Step-by-step exercises to build skills progressively. Add a workbook to your library Add link
● Journals: Reflection tools that support mental health and track confidence growth. Start your confidence journal today Add link
Storytelling: The Art Every Professional Needs
Storytelling is a powerful tool in business. It allows employees to:
● Engage audiences effectively
● Convey ideas persuasively
● Build connection and influence
By embedding storytelling exercises within corporate L&D programmes, organisations ensure that employees don’t just communicate, they inspire and lead.
Embedding Public Speaking into Corporate Culture
A successful corporate L&D programme integrates public speaking across induction and ongoing development. Organisations that do so:
● Cultivate a culture of confident communication
● Reduce public speaking fear across all levels
● Enhance leadership pipelines
● Improve collaboration and creativity
Supporting employees to face and overcome their fears has measurable benefits, including increased productivity, engagement, and career progression.
FAQs
- How common is the fear of public speaking in the UK?
According to YouGov (April 2025), glossophobia is the third most common phobia in the UK, with 15% of people reporting significant fear and 21% actively avoiding public speaking opportunities. - What practical tools can organisations use to support staff?
Courses, workbooks, and journals allow employees to practise, reflect, and develop confidence in communication over time, complementing live training. - Why include storytelling in corporate training?
Storytelling engages audiences, conveys messages clearly, and strengthens leadership and presentation skills — essential in meetings, presentations, and client interactions.
Public speaking may be one of the UK’s most common fears, but it is also a skill that can be developed with the right support.
By integrating public speaking courses online, workbooks, and confidence journals into induction and L&D programmes, organisations help employees overcome fear, build confidence in communication, and thrive professionally.
Take the next step: Explore my public speaking courses, workbooks, and journals today
