The N1 Mistake in Public Speaking

When people speak in public, they often focus too much on themselves:

  • Am I speaking correctly?

  • Is my accent good enough?

  • Will people judge me?

  • Do I sound clever?”

  • Am I impressive?

This self-focus creates tension. The speaker tries hard, looks stiff, the voice tightens, and the message becomes less clear.

Ironically, the audience is usually not judging the speaker as harshly as the speaker imagines.

In my experience as a public speaker and a member of a public speaking club, the number one mistake in public speaking is something much simpler:

Trying to sound perfect instead of trying to communicate.

Connection and communication are not about sounding perfect. It’s about being understood and understanding others.

Try these simple tricks:


1. Instead of speaking to a crowd, imagine you are talking to one person and trying to explain your ideas.

Look at one listener for a moment, then another. Speak as if you are having a conversation.

 This makes your delivery more natural and helps the audience feel included.

  

2. Use Simple Language 

Many speakers think complex language makes them sound intelligent. In reality, simple language makes your message clearer. Short sentences and familiar words help the audience understand you quickly. Communication is about clarity, not complexity.

 

 3. Show That You Care About the Audience 

A strong speaker always thinks about the listener. Ask yourself: 

  •  What problem does my audience have?

  •  What idea will help them?

  •  What do I want them to remember?

 When the audience feels that the speaker is helping them, a connection naturally happens.

  4. Use Pauses

 Many speakers talk too fast because they are nervous.

 Pauses are powerful because they:

  • Give the audience time to understand

  •  Make your message sound more confident

  •  Allow important ideas to stand out

Learn how to use pauses effectively with the app 4Ps, Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause .

5. Use Repetitions

  • Memorise your key ideas by heart and repeat them throughout your speech.

  • Make your voice louder when you say your key messages.

When you focus on helping your audience rather than impressing them, communication becomes much easier.

Warmly

Olga Smith

www.batcsglobal.com

How to Gain Confidence When Presenting

I am an experienced public speaker and a long-standing member of Toastmasters International. I have delivered more than a hundred speeches and have observed many presenters over the years.

You may often hear advice about breathing deeply, standing tall, and using body language to project confidence. While these techniques are helpful, there are other factors that are even more important for building real confidence in presentations.

From my experience, most presenters lack confidence for two main reasons:

1. Fear of mistakes

Many presenters worry about mispronouncing words, forgetting their points, or making mistakes in front of the audience.

This fear often becomes so strong that they focus more on avoiding errors than on communicating their message clearly.

2. Lack of preparation and practice

Confidence rarely appears by chance. It comes from preparation and repetition.

Unfortunately, many people hope their presentation will go well without putting in enough work. They avoid presenting whenever possible, and when they finally have no choice but to speak, they panic because they do not feel prepared.

The most embarrassing moment I have experienced, both personally and when watching others, is when there is a long silence because the presenter forgets what to say next.

Quick Tips to Gain Confidence

1. Master Your Words

  • Practice challenging words aloud

  • Record yourself and listen carefully

  • Focus on sounds that do not exist in your native language

2. Practise Your Presentation Until You Feel Confident

  • Write a clear introduction, body, and conclusion

  • Underline key words and stress them when speaking

  • Practise your presentation several times and try to avoid relying heavily on notes

  • Memorise key messages by heart

3. Project Confidence During Your Presentation

Even when you feel nervous, you can still project confidence through simple behaviours that connect you with your audience.

• Smile: A genuine smile helps you relax and makes you appear approachable and confident. It also helps the audience feel comfortable and engaged.

• Maintain eye contact. Look at different people in the audience rather than focusing on one spot or reading from your notes. Eye contact creates a connection and shows that you are confident and involved in the conversation.

• If you forget what to say next, involve the audience. If your mind suddenly goes blank, don’t panic. You can pause and ask the audience a simple question related to your topic. This gives you a moment to collect your thoughts while keeping the audience engaged.

For example, you might say: "Has anyone here faced a similar situation?"

This technique not only helps you recover smoothly but also makes your presentation more interactive.

If you want more exercises to speak clearly, reduce your accent, and deliver presentations confidently, explore my programs at:

www.batcsglobal.com

Warmly,

Olga Smith Founder, BATCS Global

256. Emotional Authenticity Is Your Competitive Edge

I have noticed that a vast majority of people I meet are afraid to be themselves. They say the thing they are supposed to say. They do not express their own opinions. I find it truly exhausting and very boring specially when listening to public speeches. I want to scream: give me real you, not a fake persona you are trying to build.

There is a widespread opinion that professionalism and power means neutrality. Keep emotions out of it. Stay polished. Be composed.

However, there is one skill that consistently rises above the noise - emotional authenticity.

This skill builds real trust.

It improves resilience.

It reduces second-guessing and opens the door to real conversations

This very skill can be your strategic advantage, particularly in public speaking.

What Emotional Authenticity Is

  • Clear, grounded expression

  • Honest self-awareness

  • Communicating with sincerity rather than performance

It ISN’T:

  • Oversharing

  • Unfiltered emotion

Three Ways to Practice Emotional Authenticity In Public Speaking

  1. Start your speech with a question to the audience: Should I tell the truth or...? I am sure the audience will shout "yes". Follow up and tell people the truth and not what may seem sound appropriate or perferct

  2. Substitute verbs "think, believe," with verbs "feel, sense"

  3. Look each person in the audience in the eyes for 5 seconds (it will feel long)

These small shifts create space for honesty - and honesty creates connection.

Emotional authenticity isn’t about dramatic confession or forced openness. It’s about:

  • Alignment

  • Integrity

  • Congruence

Ignoring, hiding or suppressing your emotions doesn’t make them disappear. People can sense them. Recognising them is a powerful step to freedom of self-expression, strong presence and impactful speech. Your emotions and feeling are not obstacles - they’re the most valuable sourse of information.

I finish my newsletter with one of my favourite quotes:

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” - Carl Jung

Warmly

Olga Smith

www.batcsglobal.com