It was late 1999 and I was supposed to be presenting to a room full of colleagues. I knew everyone in the room, I knew the topic inside out, and I had given many similar presentations in the past. Yet, on that day, I found myself unable to speak.

I stood there for several minutes, my heart pounding, my stomach somersaulting and my palms running with sweat. I kept trying to speak, but my mouth was completely dry and I was too short of breath to get them out. In the end, the only word I managed was "Sorry," as I ran from the room.

Later I discovered that I had suffered a panic attack. My colleagues were sympathetic and understanding, but the experience was awful enough that for several years I was so terrified of public speaking I would do anything
to avoid it.

I was unable to present to clients, to run team meetings, to do many of the tasks my job required. I knew that my phobia was putting unreasonable pressure on colleagues and impairing the company's performance, but I felt there was nothing I could do about it.

A common phobia

Although it felt like I was the only person experiencing this problem, this was of course not the case. It can affect anyone, even the most successful businesspeople and most impressive performers. Both Laurence Olivier and Winston Churchill suffered from almost debilitating nerves before going on stage or making a speech. In fact, in survey after survey people say that they are more scared of public speaking than they are of dying.

Five years ago Fiona Blamey was the Public Relations Manager for a major software company. Making presentations to large groups of people was part of her job and while she never relished the experience she always managed it. Then one day, out of the blue, she was in a meeting, not even giving a presentation, and she suffered a panic attack.

"For several years I was so terrified of public speaking I would do anything to avoid it."

"I managed to cover it up that time," she recalls. "But after that I found I was unable to do presentations. I was too scared. I could have flown to the moon more easily than I could have talked through a set of slides."

She went to the doctor, who diagnosed panic disorder and prescribed her medicine to help her control the symptoms. She says: "These did allow me to get through the presentations but it was still very difficult. I still have to do them and while I'm now able to do them, it still makes me very anxious."

Getting help

Peninah Thomson, a Partner at coaching firm Praesta Partners, offers this explanation of why the fear of public speaking is so prevalent, even among senior women: "We tend to focus on getting the job done. I have to work hard to get people to realise that being seen and heard is a core element of any senior management role. Then I have to convince them that they have something worthwhile to say. Once they've grasped those points it's just a matter of developing their speaking style."

Of course for many in this situation it is the actual speaking part that is the problem. Khalid Aziz, Chairman of the Aziz Corporation, works with senior executives on this aspect. He firmly believes that with the right tuition and sufficient application it is possible to control nerves and become a more proficient speaker.

He says: "More than anything this is a fear of the unknown, so the solution is to know the unknown. Get to grips with your material and make sure it's relevant to your audience. Then ensure you look the part. Many women's voices are too high, so work on pitch and power. Many women also have excessive hand gestures, so practise stillness and gestures that are congruous with your material. These are all small points but they add up."

"Get to grips with your material and make sure it's relevant to your audience. Many women's voices are too high, so work on pitch and power." Khalid Aziz, Aziz Corporation

As well as these technical aspects he also uses relaxation techniques such as transcendental meditation, the Alexander technique and deep breathing. For between £5,000 and £15,000 he will offer between five and fifteen half-hour sessions over three to four months and he is confident that with that sort of help most people will be able to overcome any nerves they might have about presenting.

It certainly worked for Sandra Macleod, who is now the Chief Executive of Echo Research. She recalls: "Seventeen years ago I was invited to speak at the CBI conference. It was a high level platform with several extremely eloquent speakers. I knew I had to raise my game and I was very nervous about it. So I went to Khalid for help."

She found his technique of videotaping her performances particularly useful. "It was horrible at first. No one likes seeing themselves on film. However, while watching them we discussed what I could improve - like my hand gestures and slowing down my speaking, and after three or four times I was clearly a much better speaker. Training like this really can make a difference."

Ditch the fear

I can vouch for the fact that it is possible to overcome this fear. Eventually I had to deliver a speech at a friend's wedding and so I had no choice but to tackle the problem. With the help of the voluntary organisation Toastmasters International I gradually regained my confidence in public speaking, and now whenever I am called on to speak in a professional or personal capacity I even enjoy it.

My fear of public speaking was worse than most people's experience, and I was able to overcome it. With help from the right people and enough practice anyone can do it. If you are prepared to put in the time and effort you will find that it opens up new opportunities at work and allows you to express yourself fully in all aspects of your life. It is without doubt a worthwhile investment in yourself.

By Alex Blyth