OVERCOMING PUBLIC SPEAKING PHOBIA: BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS: A REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Abstract

Public speaking is a significant communication skill that improves academic and professional performance, career progress, leadership development, and social relations. The fact that most people suffer from glossophobia (fear of speaking before an audience) reduces self-confidence and leads to poor communication. This paper reviews and discusses glossophobia, its causes, symptoms and effects, including evidence-based strategies to overcome it. The study identifies factors such as mental preparation, positive thinking, relaxation skills, audience analysis, rehearsing, effective delivery using verbal and non-verbal skills, and continuous practice that build public speakers' self-confidence. This paper uses a descriptive narrative literature review, drawing on relevant literature on glossophobia, speaking anxiety, self-efficacy, and methods for managing public speaking phobia, selected in tandem with the study topic. The literature search and selection were carried out using the online scientific databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and PsycINFO, with searches based on speech anxiety, self-efficacy, and related terms, as well as peer-reviewed articles on the study topic. Self-Efficacy Theory, developed by Albert Bandura, provides a theoretical framework and explains how to enhance self-efficacy through mastery experiences and cognitive restructuring. The conclusion summarises key strategies, such as persistent practice, managing emotions, and planned preparation, for developing confident, effective, and efficient public speakers and achieving personal and professional goals.