The #1 Mistake Non-Native Speakers Make in Public Speaking

Imagine you’re driving to an important meeting. But instead of following the GPS to get there, you keep staring at yourself in the rearview mirror: checking if you look good, adjusting your seat, worrying if you’re driving correctly. How far do you think you’ll get?

This is exactly what happens when you focus on yourself while speaking in public. And I don’t mean checking your appearance or adjusting your suit. I mean all those “what ifs”:
What if I forget what I want to say? What if I make grammar mistakes? What if I can’t find my words? What if they don’t understand me? What if I make a fool of myself?

If these questions sound familiar, it’s because they’re more common than you think. Public speaking naturally triggers a fear of judgment. And that fear only gets stronger when you’re speaking in a foreign language.

But here’s the harsh truth: you can’t get the result you want when your mind is stuck on yourself. Your audience always senses it. And instead of connecting, convincing, or inspiring, you come across as anxious, hesitant, or unsure.

Shift Your Focus: Make It About Them

A great presentation isn’t about you. It’s about your audience.

They’re not there to judge your English or analyze your every word; they’re there to get something valuable from your talk. The key is to shift your focus from how you’re performing to what your audience truly needs.

Here’s a simple method I use with clients to stay audience-focused: the 3-question method.

1. What do they know and feel right now?
   Understanding your audience’s current knowledge, expectations, and emotions gives you a starting point.

2. What do I want them to know, feel, or do by the end?
   This is your destination, the outcome you’re aiming for.

3. What do I need to tell them to get them there?
   These are the building blocks of your talk. Every story, example, or explanation should serve that purpose.

This framework helps you choose the right content and structure for your presentation to be clear, easy to follow, and effective.

Prepare With Purpose

Once your content is ready, the next step is preparation. But even preparation should still be about your audience. Ask yourself: how can I engage them? Maybe start with a question, make eye contact, vary your intonation to keep them interested, and definitely don’t read word-for-word from a script.

Write schematic notes and rehearse. More than once. This is what makes you feel truly prepared.

Fear comes from the unknown. So when you know exactly what you want to say and how you’ll guide your audience, 80% of the work is already done. The remaining nerves usually fade once you see your audience reacting: smiling, nodding, and following along with what you’re saying.

If you have an upcoming presentation and feel anxious about preparing it or calming those nerves, that’s exactly what I help people with in my 1:1 coaching sessions. Together, we focus on what your audience needs, structure your talk for clarity, and practice in a way that makes you feel confident. Yes, even in English!

Final Thought

Remember: no matter how fluent you are, a speech or presentation is not a test of your English. It’s a bridge to your audience. So stop checking yourself in the mirror and start checking in with them.