Let me start with a confession: even the most confident-looking speakers you’ve ever seen — yes, including that unflappable CEO who just nailed her keynote — feel nervous before stepping on stage. The difference between them and you is not that they don’t have butterflies in their stomach; it’s that they’ve trained their butterflies to fly in formation.
Public speaking is one of the few things that can terrify even the most powerful people. You can run a multi-million-cedi company, negotiate cross-border deals, and lead hundreds of staff — but hand you a microphone and suddenly you’re sweating like a marathon runner in Accra traffic.
The fear is real — and normal
In my years of hosting live television shows and moderating high-stakes corporate events, I’ve seen stage fright hit everyone from politicians to professors. One executive once whispered to me seconds before going live, “Kafui, my mouth has gone dry. Do you have any water?” I smiled, handed him my bottle, and told him, “Don’t worry. The audience doesn’t know your mouth is dry — just your message.”
And that’s the truth: your fear feels bigger to you than it looks to anyone else. What audiences care about isn’t your heartbeat — it’s your message.
Why every leader needs to master the mic
In today’s corporate world, speaking well is not a luxury; it’s a leadership necessity. Whether you’re pitching investors in Lagos, presenting strategy in Nairobi, or leading a virtual town hall in Accra, your ability to speak with clarity and confidence determines how people perceive your competence.
Think about it: you can have the best business idea in Africa, but if you can’t explain it persuasively, it’s as good as invisible.
That’s why I tell every executive I coach: Public speaking is not about performance — it’s about purpose. You’re not there to impress; you’re there to connect.
The 4 Ps of presentation mastery
Over the years, I’ve developed a simple framework that turns nervous presenters into confident communicators: The 4 Ps — Plan, Practice, Polish, Perform.
1. Plan
Great speakers don’t “wing it.” They plan it. Know your audience, define your key message, and decide your desired outcome. If your audience remembers only one thing, what should it be? Write that sentence down. That’s your anchor.
2. Practice
Rehearse aloud. Record yourself. Watch it back. (Yes, it’s awkward — but it’s also how professionals get better.) Every “um,” every hand gesture, every nervous shuffle — you’ll notice things you can fix before the audience does.
3. Polish
Add rhythm, pauses, and stories. A speech without stories is like jollof rice without spice — technically edible, but not memorable. Tell authentic stories from your journey — moments of challenge, growth, or humour. They humanize you and make your message stick.
4. Perform
When the lights come on, focus on serving your audience, not surviving the speech. Breathe. Make eye contact. Smile. If you stumble, don’t apologize — pause and continue. Even Beyoncé rehearses, but on stage she makes it look effortless. That’s the goal: not perfection, but presence.
Your voice, your power
Many professionals believe public speaking is for extroverts. Wrong. It’s for leaders. The quietest person in the room can still command attention if they speak with conviction.
In fact, the most persuasive speakers in Africa’s boardrooms aren’t necessarily the loudest — they’re the clearest. They speak with purpose, they tell the truth simply, and they leave audiences thinking, “I want to hear from that person again.”
Turning fear into fuel
Here’s my favorite trick: before speaking, instead of saying “I’m nervous,” say “I’m excited.” It’s the same adrenaline — you’re just naming it differently. Channel that energy into your voice, gestures, and passion.
And remember: every time you speak in public, you’re not just delivering information. You’re delivering inspiration.
So the next time you’re invited to give that quarterly report, pitch your startup, or represent your company on a panel, don’t shrink from the spotlight. Step into it.
Because leaders who speak well don’t just inform — they influence.
>>> Need coaching? Email [email protected]
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