14 Lessons
According to a 1973 survey conducted by the Sunday Times of London, 41% of people listed public speaking as their greatest fear. This statistic has been widely cited, and it’s often mentioned that more people fear public speaking than they fear death. However, there’s an interesting twist to this story.
The survey was part of the R. H. Bruskin Associates American Fears study, which was reported in the London Sunday Times. Participants were asked to select their fears from a list of 14 common fears. When asked to choose their top fear, students in the study actually selected death more often than public speaking. So while public speaking was commonly feared, it wasn’t necessarily the top fear for most people.
Despite this nuance, the fear of speaking before a group remains significant. If you’re looking to overcome this fear, workshops and training can indeed help boost your confidence and make you more comfortable in front of an audience. Remember, practice and preparation are key to successful public speaking!