How to overcome imposter syndrome for public speaking

Speaking
Written By Liam Sandford
imposter syndrome

What makes public speaking so challenging? For most people, it is dealing with overwhelm, anxiety, and finding it hard to think clearly in the stressful setting that is public speaking.

There is so much to think about, and handling that can be tricky. If you can create a calm mind before and during your presentation you will be able to execute to the best of your ability.

The first challenge for speakers is usually imposter syndrome.

Experiencing Imposter Syndrome

Have you ever felt like you do not belong? Like you should not be there, and you are worried that someone will find out you do not actually know what you are doing?

We are all in the same boat. The imposter syndrome boat — that feeling that we are a fraud. For speaking, this might be what is happening in your head:

‘I do not know anything about this topic that other people do not know already.’

  • ‘Why should they listen to me?’

  • ‘What if I cannot answer questions and I get exposed that I do not know what I am doing?’

This is a lot to deal with in the lead up to, and during your speaking engagement.

The 4 public speaking situations

There are four situations you can find yourself in for public speaking:

  • You have learned about a topic and are presenting back on it (usually in education).

  • You are presenting your work on a particular topic.

  • You have been asked to speak on the topic.

  • You have chosen to speak on the topic.

In each of these scenarios you have knowledge about the topic area. Either you have just learned about it, other people have chosen you due to your knowledge on the topic, or you are comfortable speaking about the subject. You have authority on the topic. You have knowledge that other people can benefit from. You are not an imposter.

In other words: you would not be speaking on a topic if you knew nothing about it.

Back yourself

You might think that you only share what other people already know, but the great thing about speaking on a topic is sharing your personal experiences and stories.

Nobody else will have your specific experience or viewpoint which makes your delivery unique to what has been said before. It is all about sharing the knowledge from your perspective — your perspective will add a diversity of thought on the topic and create value.

The key to overcoming imposter syndrome is to routinely take action. To make it easier to start speaking in public, focus on what you are comfortable speaking about, and back yourself to deliver it.

Think about:

  • What you know

  • What your processes are

  • Your experiences

Deliver everything via these three lenses. It will make you more comfortable and confident to deliver, and make you feel less like an imposter.

Actionable takeaways

  • Consider the 4 situations you find yourself in for public speaking. When you figure out which situation applies, steer into what the audience want from you — delivering on that will create a successful speaking experience.

  • Back yourself to deliver — with imposter syndrome the best route to getting confident is reps. Start where you are comfortable.

  • Channel everything through what you know, your processes and your experiences. It makes the presentation unique to you and keeps it where you are more comfortable.

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Liam Sandford
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