Photo creditgettyPublic speaking consistently ranks among people's greatest fears, often ahead of death in popular surveys. Research suggests that as many as three out of four people experience some level of fear when speaking in front of a group, making it one of the world's most common social anxieties. Glossophobia, the clinical term for the fear of public speaking, can limit career growth because the more senior your role becomes, the more often you'll be expected to communicate ideas, influence others, and present with confidence. Avoiding presentations can slow your career progression, reduce your visibility, and even prevent you from being considered for leadership opportunities.Public Speaking Helps You Stand Out In The AI EraAI can create content and analyze data, but only you can bring ideas to life, inspire action, and create genuine human connection. Public speaking is critical to maximizing the value of AI. And as you work to grow your personal brand, AI can help you stand out. AI generates information. Great speakers transform information into understanding, motivation, and action. As AI makes written content abundant, speaking becomes one of the fastest ways to demonstrate expertise people can actually experience. It’s part of The Great Human Premium, and key to standing out in the age of AI. Whether you're leading a meeting, pitching a client, presenting project updates, recording a video, or delivering a keynote, your ability to communicate clearly is becoming one of the most valuable human skills in the workplace.Public Speaking Fear Hacks That Help You ShineGetting past the fear is key to success. And the very good news is that public speaking nervousness can be overcome. First, you need to change your mindset. Then, determine which of these pre-speaking activities will be most helpful in reducing anxiety and boosting your confidence. Different techniques work for different people. Experiment with these strategies and build a pre-speaking routine that helps you feel calm, confident, and ready. 1. ConnectIf possible, interact with members of the audience beforehand. Ask them what they want to take away from your session. Having a short, real conversation with someone reminds you these are just people, not judges. When you get on stage, you can reference the conversations you had (with the participants’ permission, of course) and let the audience know you’re going to share insights that will be helpful to them. Familiarity reduces uncertainty, and uncertainty is one of the biggest drivers of anxiety.2. BreatheTake deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. Stress Coach Jordan Friedman suggests, “Try inhaling for four seconds and exhaling for six to eight seconds for about a minute. Remember, calm body = calm mind = confidence.”MORE FOR YOU3. SmellSmell is the most powerful of the five senses for calming your nerves. When you smell something that grounds you, you send a signal to your brain that things are OK. This counteracts the fight-or-flight response that comes with standing in front of a group of people. Consider smelling coffee beans, eucalyptus, mint, or another strong scent. Whichever you choose, use it consistently each time you speak. This will send a message to your brain that there’s no reason to be stressed. Smell has a uniquely direct connection to the emotional centers of the brain, which is why scents can immediately create a sense of calm.4. Practice Out LoudReading your presentation silently is not practicing. Speak the words out loud. Your brain processes spoken communication differently than silent reading, and hearing yourself helps build fluency and confidence. The more familiar your message becomes, the less mental energy you'll spend recalling what comes next and the more you'll be able to focus on connecting with your audience. Just don’t over-rehearse. That will help you stay present and connected with the audience.5. ReframeWhen we feel those signs of anxiety creep in, we start to feel uncomfortable. We often associate them with things that are negative. To counter that belief, reframe anxiety as fuel. Embrace the feelings and know that you can use that fuel to wow your audience. The physical symptoms are remarkably similar. The difference is how you interpret them.6. AffirmPositive affirmations are powerful resets for the brain. Identify a positive affirmation that feels comfortable for you: I’m an excellent public speaker. I’m going to knock it out of the park. This is going to be fun! Whatever you choose, be deliberate in saying it. In fact, say it out loud. 7. RemindKnow that the people in the audience want you to succeed. Remind yourself that you have a community of people who are rooting for you. They are there to learn from and support you. Audiences rarely expect perfection. They simply want to learn something useful.8. CreateEstablish your pre-performance ritual. Make it personal and meaningful. You might listen to the same song before you go on every time. Your brain will start associating it with confidence. Or you could repeat one simple truth to yourself “This is for them, not me.” Or “I have something valuable to share with this audience.” Elite athletes, performers, and speakers often rely on rituals because consistency helps reduce uncertainty.9. AnchorGround yourself in connection. Oxytocin, often called the “bonding hormone,” helps your brain feel safe. Before a speaking engagement, Gina Rapaport, coach and public speaking expert at The Wow Speaker, suggests creating a moment of connection, “Look at a photo of someone you love, have a quick chat with a good friend, or express your gratitude to a nearby colleague. Small moments of connection can shift you from threat to safety.” Connection helps you show up with more confidence.Act Before Public Speaking To Reduce Your Nerves And Increase Your ConfidencePublic speaking is one of the fastest ways to increase your visibility, demonstrate leadership, build your personal brand, and establish yourself as a trusted expert. If fear is holding you back, use these simple actions. Don't think of this as a checklist. Consider it a menu. You don't need all nine techniques before every presentation. Experiment until you discover the ones that consistently help you feel calm, confident, and connected with your audience. Over time, those actions become your personal pre-performance routine, your speaking success strategy. Only about one in ten people genuinely enjoys public speaking. That means most of the people you admire as presenters probably feel nervous too. The difference is that they've learned how to manage those nerves rather than eliminate them. When you reduce the fear and amp up your confidence, you can become part of that 10%. And, you’ll stand out and increase your impact and influence at work. William Arruda is a keynote speaker, personal branding pioneer, and Senior Contributor to Forbes. Join his complimentary Maven Lightning Lesson, Public Speaking Myths: What Great Presenters Really Do.