Picture this: I’m standing in front of 30 people at my local Toastmasters club. My job? Somehow improvise a two-minute speech on how the pandemic affected my life. No notes, no prep, no mercy.
“Okay, Igor, how did the pandemic impact your life?”
My heart raced.
My brain was empty.
Tunnel vision kicked in.
I guess this is what they call stage fright.
If this sounds familiar, let me assure you: I wasn’t always like this. In fact, public speaking wasn’t even on my radar. But then life as a founder taught me how critical this skill is—and I decided to do something about it.
I Used to Hate Public Speaking
Here’s the thing: I wasn’t just bad at public speaking—I avoided it entirely. Watching others fumble through their speeches was my jam. “Wow, another ‘uh’?” I’d think to myself. But when it was my turn, I was no better. My favorite filler word? “Um.” My delivery? Boring. My jokes? Painful.
The pandemic didn’t help. I got used to talking from the safety of my little Zoom window. No audience reactions, no stage fright—just the comforting glow of my webcam. But as a founder, I quickly realized that hiding behind a screen wouldn’t cut it. Public speaking wasn’t just a skill; it was a lifeline. I needed it to:
- Connect with customers: If you can’t clearly explain your vision or product, people will lose interest in 10 minutes (or less)
- Understand my product: Explaining my product and service out loud helped me clarify what I was actually offering
- Connect with myself: Speaking helps me pinpoint my strengths (storytelling) and weaknesses (jokes that don’t always land)
So, I decided to stop heckling from the cheap seats and step onto the stage myself.
Why Public Speaking Matters (Especially for Founders)
If you can’t communicate, you can’t connect. Your brilliant ideas will disappear into the void, and your audience? They’ll find something more interesting on TikTok.
Public speaking isn’t optional—it’s foundational. It helps you:
- Sell your vision: Whether you’re pitching to investors or explaining your idea to your neighbor, clarity and passion matter.
- Build trust: A confident, sincere speech makes people believe in you.
- Clarify your ideas: Summarizing your product or service forces you to simplify and strengthen your messaging.
The good news? Public speaking is a skill you can learn. And I’d like to show you how I did it.
My System for Better Public Speaking
I’m not a natural-born speaker, but I’ve developed a system that works for me. If you’ve ever felt your palms get sweaty at the thought of a presentation, here are some strategies that might help.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Yes, it’s a cliché. But here’s the deal: the only way to get better at speaking is by speaking. Some ideas to start:
- Join a club: Toastmasters is my go-to. Weekly meetings mean regular practice in a safe, supportive environment.
- Speak in low-pressure venues: Try lunch-and-learns at work, your local improv class, or even family gatherings. Talking to friendly faces helps build confidence.
- Tell bedtime stories: My wife and I started sharing bedtime stories. It actually helps our relationship and it’s a low-stakes way to practice storytelling—and bonus points for being incredibly fun.
Turn to Resources
Good speakers are made, not born. Fortunately, there are tons of resources to help.
- Books: Matthew Dicks’ Storyworthy is a goldmine for storytelling tips. For timeless advice, Dale Carnegie’s The Art of Public Speaking is a classic (and it's free on the Internet Archive).
- Watch the pros: TED Talks are a masterclass in concise, compelling speaking. Here are a few worth checking out.
- Use AI tools: Platforms like ChatGPT with voice mode or Yoodli can analyze your speech and provide actionable feedback (bonus: they don’t laugh when you bomb).
Be Yourself and Breathe
One of the best lessons I’ve learned about public speaking is this:
Authenticity beats perfection every time. Speak from your heart, not from a script.
And don’t forget to breathe. Seriously—deep breaths calm your nerves and keep your brain sharp. Try this: inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, and exhale for four counts. It’ll calm your nerves and help you focus.
Wrapping It Up: Your Turn to Take the Stage
So, how did my impromptu speech about the pandemic go? It wasn’t perfect. I stumbled a bit, had a few “ums”, and my heart didn’t quite stop racing. But I finished my speech. And when the applause came, it felt pretty good.
Public speaking is like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets. And I’ve realized it isn’t about eliminating fear—it’s about working through it. If you’ve been putting it off, start small. Tell a story to your cat, sign up for Toastmasters, or practice explaining your favorite hobby to a friend.
Just remember, have fun with it!
