77% of the population has a fear of public speaking. That means more than 200 million people may feel nervous about talking to others. That is almost 8 out of every 10 people that you know.
90% of the population reports some “shyness” when it comes to giving a public speech.
Only 8% of individuals with public speaking fears seek professional help despite the documented negative impact it has on career and wages.
Stats from Cross River Therapy
We all know that the fear of public speaking is one of the most common phobias. And yet, in business, being able to communicate effectively is essential. So, what can you do if you're spooked about getting up in front of a group and delivering a presentation?
One possible solution is to study improvisational comedy. Improv classes can help you become a better listener and gain more self-confidence. Plus, they're just plain fun. So, if you're looking to overcome your fear of public speaking, improv might be worth a try.
I knew I had to do something about it if I wanted to be successful in business.
For as long as I can remember, I have been a little uncomfortable by the very thought of public speaking. No matter how much work I put into preparing for a presentation, my fear always crept up on me and made me hesitate to speak up or take the lead. I eventually understood that this was holding me back from being successful; if I wanted to accomplish my objectives, I needed to find a way to get over my fear of public speaking. My journey led me to improvisation workshops, which were meant to help people listen better and feel more confident in themselves. Because the classes were both challenging and entertaining, I gradually gained the confidence to stand in front of a group and speak with ease. By taking just a few improvisation classes, I was able to improve my communication skills. This not only gave me more confidence but also gave me the tools I needed to be successful in business.
I wanted more.
Looking back at those years of feeling anxious about speaking up in important business situations, I decided to take the plunge. Not just one or two classes; I became a student of improv. I felt that taking this step would help me become a better listener and increase my self-confidence when it came to public speaking. What I didn't expect were all the other wonderful benefits that studying improv enabled. Being able to think on my feet and find creative solutions quickly has allowed me to stay ahead in the game, giving me an edge over the competition. Now, I'm not a rambling wreck. I'm a communicator with a lot of energy who actively engages with the people around him. All of this has become possible because I studied improv!
Since becoming involved in improvisational theater, my fears have been alleviated, and I have acquired a tremendous amount of self-assurance. Improv has helped me listen much better. Improvisation teaches us how to be responsive and attentive to our surroundings, which is extremely helpful for communication in business. With my newfound confidence, I'm ready to take on any and every professional challenge I may face.
Being able to communicate is essential in business, and improv has helped me become a better communicator overall.
Improv opened a whole new world of successful communication for me. I was able to improve my business communication skills when I learned how to listen better and have more confidence in myself. Like any skill, communication is something that must be practiced and honed, but with the help of improv exercises, I am able to continue to improve my skills even further than ever before.
So, let’s get started!
I now enjoy sharing my knowledge of the benefits of Improv Training with others. I'm so grateful to have experienced this type of training, and I highly recommend it to anyone wondering how they can up the ante on their communication skills. In my opinion, improv is the greatest way to get to know the people on your team, help them get better at communication, and build trust within yourself and with others. So don't suffer in silence, sign up for one of my Improv Workshops, or let's create custom workshops for your team today! www.MasterHappiness.com/improv