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How To Conquer The Fear Of Public Speaking | Richard McCann Speaking Coach Interview
Public speaking is one of the biggest fears on the planet. It even has an official name: glossophobia. Most people never get past it, and their careers pay the price every time they stand up in front of a room.
Richard McCann knows the fear from the inside. He started out petrified, reading from his own book at his first talk in 2005. He has since delivered 3,521 presentations and coached over 7,000 people in 16 years, and in this episode of the Business Growth Podcast, powered by ActionCOACH UK, he breaks down exactly what separates forgettable speakers from unforgettable ones.
His core message is simple: you're not born a great speaker, you become one.
What You'll Learn:
- The 3 Biggest Mistakes Speakers Make: Lacking presence, racing through filler words, and reading slides or an obvious autocue. Richard explains why senior leaders who are brilliant at their jobs still fall flat on stage.
- How To Build Gravitas: Why you need to be a slightly exaggerated version of yourself, projecting your voice and holding the space, even when it feels unnatural at first.
- Why Filler Words Kill Credibility: A World Economic Forum speaker said "um" around 40 times in 2 minutes. Learn how slowing down and putting pauses around your phrases instantly puts you ahead of most speakers.
- Ethos, Logos, Pathos: Aristotle's 3 pillars of influence, and why pathos, the emotional connection built through storytelling, is the one most business presentations miss.
- How To Prepare Without A Script: Richard's method of mind maps and bullet points, filming and timing each section, and starting with the end in mind.
- The Power Of Owning It: If something is on your mind, say it out loud. Richard explains why naming the elephant in the room disarms cynics and calms your own nerves.
If You Haven't Started: Watch the greats and model them. Search "W Mitchell keynote" on YouTube, the speaker who inspired Richard, and study what he does. Then practise slowing down and chunking your words in everyday conversations, meetings, and phone calls.
If You're Already Presenting: Ditch the word-for-word script. Map your talk as bullet points or a mind map, film yourself delivering each section, and time them until the whole talk flows naturally. Then find a coach and get feedback on your delivery.
For Everyone: Open with a story before you show a single fact or figure. And when something is off, own it out loud rather than hoping nobody notices.
Whether you're a business owner presenting to your team, a leader pitching for investment, or someone who dreads the next meeting, this conversation shows that great speakers are made, not born. Subscribe for weekly conversations with the world's leading business minds.
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