Imposter syndrome and public speaking

I remember being in the wings for the TEDx event I was curator and speaker coach for last year, supporting the speakers who were about to go on stage and give their talks. We had prepped and rehearsed, got the content and idea worth spreading nailed, and I was so excited to see them all getting ready to give the talk of a lifetime. 

The air was thick with anticipation and nerves, there was excitement but there was also doubt. In the changing rooms I was listening to their fears, reassuring them, hyping them up and reassuring them they were going to ace it, and yet something was coming up for more than a few. 

The sneaky imposter.

When it comes to public speaking pretty much everyone I have coached and supported to give their talks experience imposter syndrome in one way or another. Imposter syndrome is defined by feelings such as:

‘Who am I to stand on stage and share my story? I’m not special.’

‘Who am I to speak on this topic? What if someone in the audience knows more than me?’

‘I’m going to get caught out, I don’t know enough! Do I?!’

Have you ever felt this before?

It’s perfectly normal, and if you experience this too you are not alone.

So what can you do to quiet the imposter? 

I’ve made a super quick video that dives into this in a little more detail. Watch it here

1. Stay in your lane and focus on what you know and are here to do. Comparison is the thief of joy and fuels your imposter. 
2. Have compassion towards your imposter, it’s only trying to protect you. Know that somewhere deep in your primitive mind you are being protected from a potential threat. In reality there is no threat only huge achievement on the other side of the fear!
3. Think ‘you are ok, I am ok.’ It’s a mindset hack that puts you on a level playing field with your audience. I use it when coaching my corporate and private clients in all situations where the imposter might surface. 

Need more support? Take my free AIR assessment that gives you a snapshot on where you are right now with your levels of confidence, clarity and action. It will help you decide where to put your focus on to really start moving forward.

Much love

Helen