UKís top bosses find public speaking a terrifying experience

Survey shows half of British bosses have had a bad experience of speaking in public

Speaking in public is the part of their job that Britainís bosses dread most, according to the results of a new survey published today by The Aziz Corporation, the UKís leading independent executive communications consultancy.

According to the research, 58 per cent of business leaders believe that public speaking is the most daunting business activity they have to undertake. The survey also found that nearly half (42 per cent) of business leaders have had a bad experience of speaking in public.

The research found that most businessmen find the natural art of speaking significantly more difficult to master than apparently complex business tasks. While 63 per cent would find a media interview difficult, and 48 per cent say they would have difficulty addressing a large conference, 64 per cent of businessmen find the preparation of business plans easy and 55 per cent report ease in handling financial data.

Professor Khalid Aziz, Chairman of The Aziz Corporation, which conducted the survey as part of the eighth annual Aziz Management Communications Index, commented:

ìThe need for top UK business leaders to speak in public has become so prevalent, and so important, that it is a concern to see that the elite of UK business continues to suffer angst at the prospect. The image and reputation of a company can be made or broken at high profile events such as conferences or during media interviews, so it is imperative that business leaders are equipped with the skills that enable them to speak in public with confidence.î

The survey also found that the nature of and audience for a speaking engagement determines the level of anxiety for these bosses. Although 74 per cent would be confident about addressing their own employees and 59 per cent happy to present to their board, 82 per cent would be nervous or very worried about doing a TV interview and 76 per cent about presenting to a City audience.

Apart from public speaking the other most difficult tasks identified were managing difficult interpersonal relationships (35 per cent) and dealing with redundancy or disciplinary issues (25 per cent). Ironically, both these duties require face-to-face communication and test a directorís communication skills.

Khalid Aziz adds:

ìWhat is equally worrying is the large number of these top business people who have had a bad experience of public speaking. Many people believe that good speakers are born and not made and this misconception is reinforced by a bad experience. With straightforward coaching and some practice, anyone can be made into a more accomplished public speaker. Furthermore, those who take the initiative to learn will find that their confidence, reputation and prospects will improve markedly as a result.î