We've Been Running Public Speaking Courses Since 2014 – Here's Everything We've Learned in 11 Years.

Over the past 11 years, we've had the privilege of guiding thousands of people through their public speaking journeys. From first-time speakers to seasoned professionals looking to refine their craft, we’ve seen it all. And in that time, we’ve learned some powerful truths about confidence, fear, authenticity, and human connection. Here are the key lessons we’ve taken away from more than a decade of running public speaking courses:

1. Progress Isn’t Always Linear

Confidence isn’t always something you simply ‘get’ and then keep forever. It’s a process, and like any process, it has ups and downs. Some days, you’ll feel like you’ve made huge progress; other days, it might feel like you’ve taken a step back. That’s normal. The key is consistency—showing up, putting yourself out there, and learning from each experience.

2. Courage Isn’t the Absence of Fear

A common misconception is that confident speakers feel no fear. In reality, fear might not always fully disappear. What changes is your relationship with it. Courage is about taking action in spite of fear, not waiting for it to go away. Every great speaker we’ve worked with has learned to embrace fear and work with it, rather than against it.

3. Vulnerability Dissolves the Fear of Judgement

Our courses encourage vulnerability because it fosters real connection. Time and time again, we’ve seen that when people allow themselves to be open—sharing their thoughts, fears, and imperfections—they not only build stronger connections with their audience but also realise how similar we all are as humans. This recognition helps dissolve the fear of judgment and as a by-product, makes us feel more confident.

4. Protective Behaviours Can Block Authenticity

People adopt certain behavioural patterns to protect themselves from discomfort, but these often get in the way of genuine connection. Some common ones include:

• People-pleasing – trying too hard to say the ‘right’ thing rather than speaking your truth.

• Being overly professional – sounding robotic instead of natural and relatable.

• lii humour to deflect – cracking jokes to deflect or avoid genuine expression.

• Being over-the-top and theatrical – performing instead of communicating.

• Withdrawing and making yourself small – hiding rather than taking up space.

These patterns aren’t flaws; they’re simply fear responses. Recognising them is the first step towards becoming more authentic.

5. Acceptance of Feelings Is Key to Managing Anxiety

One of the hardest but most effective ways to reduce speaking anxiety is learning to accept your feelings rather than fight them. Anxiety grows stronger when you resist it, but when you allow yourself to feel nervous without judgment, its power diminishes. Instead of seeing nervousness as something to ‘get rid of,’ try accepting it and even encouraging it (read our linked blog above for more info) as part of the process.

6. If You Have Nothing to Hide, You Have Nothing to Fear

This links into points 4 and 5. When you’re fully authentic—when you’re not trying to cover up nerves, impress people, or play a role—you take away fear’s power. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to be real.

7. The Breath Is Your Ally

In the moment, your breath is one of your greatest tools. Shallow breathing fuels anxiety, while deep, controlled breathing signals safety to your nervous system. Whether it’s taking a slow inhale before starting or using rhythmic breathing to steady yourself, learning to work with your breath can transform how you feel on stage.

8. Regulating Your Nervous System Makes a Huge Difference

Public speaking is a physiological experience, not just a mental one. Tools like deep breathing, meditation and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) tapping can help regulate your nervous system, helping you come out of flight or fight, making fear much more manageable. When your body feels safe, your mind follows.

9. People Connect with Emotion

Facts and data are useful, but what truly captivates an audience is making them feel something. Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for this because it brings emotion into your message. People may forget facts, but they’ll remember how you made them feel. Whether it’s joy, sadness, inspiration, or laughter, emotion is what makes a speaker engaging and memorable. We’ve seen time and again that the most compelling speakers are those who aren’t just great storytellers but also masters of conveying emotion. When you learn to make people feel, you capture their attention and leave a lasting impact.

10. Perfectionism Holds You Back

Many people who struggle with public speaking also struggle with perfectionism. They hold themselves to impossible standards, fearing that every word must be flawless and every performance must be executed without error. This creates immense pressure, leading to overthinking, hesitation, and self-criticism. The truth is, perfection isn’t relatable—what resonates with audiences is authenticity. The best speakers aren’t the ones who never stumble; they’re the ones who embrace their imperfections and focus on engaging their audience. Letting go of perfectionism can be one of the most liberating shifts you make in your speaking journey.

11. Learning Technique Is the Easy Part

Good body language, the use of pauses, a strong voice, and good tonal variety—these are all techniques that can be learned with a little practice. Unlike confidence or overcoming fear, which take time to develop, technical skills can be picked up relatively quickly. Once you understand these fundamentals and apply them consistently, you’ll find that they polish up your delivery and make you a more effective speaker.

12. People Come for Public Speaking, but They Stay for the Connection

Most people sign up for our public speaking courses to build confidence and improve their speaking skills. But what they don’t expect is how much they’ll gain from the connections they make. The best part isn’t just learning to speak—it’s the shared experience of growth, bonding, and human connection that comes with being part of these groups and learning to let go of their masks. After 11 years of running these courses, we’ve seen firsthand that this is one of the most powerful ways to build confidence and self-esteem.

These lessons have shaped not only how we teach public speaking but also how we approach personal growth and human connection. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your skills, the path to confident speaking isn’t about eliminating fear—it’s about learning to work with it, embracing authenticity, and trusting your own voice.

More than anything, it’s about recognising our shared humanity and understanding that through connection, you not only become more self-accepting, but you also naturally build confidence in a way that is solid and grounded, not reliant on performance or tricks.

To find out how our training could help you, head over to our courses page to read more.