Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking at Its Core
For many people, the thought of speaking in front of an audience is enough to trigger intense anxiety and fear. In fact, glossophobia – the fear of public speaking – is estimated to affect as many as 75% of people to some degree. While this phobia is incredibly common, it can be debilitating for those who struggle with it, holding them back from career advancement, personal growth, and fully expressing themselves.
However, Morty Lefkoe , the co-founder of the Lefkoe Institute, argues that it’s possible to overcome the fear of public speaking at its core by identifying and eliminating the limiting beliefs that fuel it. Through his Lefkoe Method, he has helped thousands of people conquer their fear of public speaking and become confident, effective communicators.
The Lefkoe Method is based on the premise that our behaviors and emotions are not determined by external reality, but by the subjective beliefs and interpretations we have created over time. When it comes to public speaking anxiety, Lefkoe believes the root causes lie in the limiting beliefs people develop, often stemming from past experiences of criticism, embarrassment, or failure.
For example, someone who believes “I’ll be judged and criticized” when speaking in public may have had a negative experience in the past where they were mocked or put down for a speech they gave. Rather than seeing this as an isolated incident, they may have generalized it into a global belief about their abilities and worth. This belief then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, causing them to feel anxious and perform poorly in future speaking situations.
To overcome this, Lefkoe’s method involves a structured process of identifying the specific fear or anxiety around public speaking, uncovering the underlying beliefs driving that fear, and tracing the origins of those beliefs to past experiences or interpretations. By examining alternative interpretations of those past events and realizing the belief is a subjective interpretation rather than an objective fact, people can consciously eliminate the old limiting belief.
For instance, in the case of the person who believes “I’ll be judged and criticized”, they would be guided to trace that belief back to the specific incident where they were mocked for a speech. They would then be asked to consider alternative explanations for what happened – perhaps the audience was having a bad day, or the criticism said more about them than the speaker. By realizing the belief is not an absolute truth but rather a subjective interpretation they created, they can let go of it.
The final steps involve reframing oneself as the creator of one’s life, not just a passive recipient of beliefs and circumstances. This empowers people to see themselves as the authors of their own experience, with the ability to consciously choose new beliefs and behaviors.
According to Lefkoe, this process of identifying, examining, and eliminating limiting beliefs is key to overcoming the fear of public speaking at its core. By addressing the root causes rather than just treating surface-level symptoms, people can make lasting changes and become confident, effective communicators.
Lefkoe argues that his method is more effective than traditional approaches to treating glossophobia, which often rely on exposure therapy, hypnosis, or medication. While these can provide temporary relief, they don’t necessarily address the underlying beliefs that are driving the fear. By contrast, the Lefkoe Method aims to empower people with the understanding that they are the creators of their own experience, and the ability to consciously choose beliefs that serve them.
Of course, overcoming a deep-seated fear like the fear of public speaking is no easy feat. It requires courage, commitment, and a willingness to examine one’s beliefs and interpretations. However, for those who are ready to take on the challenge, the Lefkoe Method offers a powerful path to becoming the confident, self-assured speakers they want to be. By addressing the root causes of their fear, they can unlock their full potential as communicators and live more fulfilling, expressive lives.