From Fear to Flow: Why Most Presentations Fall Flat (and How to Rise Above the Rest)
I still remember the first speech I ever gave.
I was studying adventure tourism, and the idea of speaking in public made me feel physically sick. Later, when I delivered my first interactive workshop to a group of American ambassador students in Australia, that same nausea returned — fear gripping me before I’d even spoken a word.
But over time, I discovered something important: the more prepared I was, the more confident I became.
Fast forward twenty years — after running hundreds of corporate training workshops and coaching TEDxChristchurch speakers — I’ve seen the same patterns repeat. Whether you’re a leader, a founder, or a first-time speaker, these five mistakes show up again and again.
They’re simple. They’re avoidable. And when you overcome them, the results are life-changing.
Mistake #1: Procrastination
We all do it.
You get invited to speak — but the talk is weeks (or months) away, so you put it off.
Life is busy. You’ve got other deadlines. You’ll get to it… eventually.
But here’s the trap: procrastination leads to panic. Panic leads to poor performance. And poor performance reinforces your belief that you’re “not a good speaker.”
This is the self-fulfilling prophecy that kills confidence.
✅ The Fix: Start Early, Build Confidence
The best talks don’t come from winging it. They come from preparation, iteration, and clarity.
Take Lilia Tarawa.
She had just released her memoir and was invited to give a TEDx talk about her escape from Gloriavale. Her goal? Reach 3 million views.
We had ten weeks.
We met weekly for hours at a time, rewriting and refining her talk. She worked relentlessly between sessions — editing, rehearsing, crafting her message.
The result? Over 11 million views. One of the most-watched TEDx talks in New Zealand history, and a spot on the official TED platform translated into six languages.
That kind of outcome doesn’t happen by chance — it happens by choice.
Start early, commit fully, and give your message the time it deserves.
Mistake #2: Not Writing a Script
“I’ll just talk from the heart.”
That’s noble. But in high-stakes communication, clarity matters more than courage.
Without a script, most people ramble. They go in circles. They repeat themselves. Worse, when nerves kick in, they default to filler words, awkward jokes, or autopilot phrases.
✅ The Fix: Write it Down, Say it Right
Dr. Martin Luther King didn’t improvise “I have a dream” — well maybe the end.
President Kennedy didn’t wing “We choose to go to the moon.”
They had scripts. They had structure. And so should you.
Writing your talk helps you:
- Clarify your message
- Choose words intentionally
- Avoid panic-mode filler
- Review and refine your impact
You don’t have to memorise it word-for-word. But until you’ve written it down, you don’t truly know what you’re saying — or how to make it land.
Mistake #3: Not Timing Your Talk
I once attended an event where each speaker was given four minutes to talk about men’s mental health. One speaker had clearly spent time scripting his message — it was thoughtful and moving…
But he didn’t time it.
At the four-minute mark, he was only halfway through his notes. The host looked uncomfortable. The audience looked anxious. The remaining speakers had their slots compressed or cut altogether.
It wasn’t just inconsiderate — it was damaging to the event and to the speaker’s credibility.
✅ The Fix: Edit for Time, Honour the Space
Every talk has a time limit. If you go over, you’re not just stealing time — you’re losing trust.
Before your talk, read it out loud with a timer. Cut what doesn’t serve the core message. Aim to finish slightly under time, not over.
At high-profile events (like TEDx), you’ll often have countdown clocks on stage. But most talks don’t offer that luxury — which means you need to be the clock.
Respect the time. It shows you respect the audience.
Mistake #4: Having Slides That Suc
Let’s be blunt:
Reading from slides kills connection.
And stuffing your slides with tiny text, charts, or distracting animations? That doesn’t help either. It turns your audience into spectators — squinting, zoning out, or quietly switching off.
✅ The Fix: Make Slides That Support, Not Suffocate
Your slides aren’t your script — they’re your soundtrack.
They should:
- Reinforce key ideas
- Highlight visuals or metaphors
- Be easy to digest at a glance
- Give the audience something to remember (not something to read)
If you want a crash course on what not to do, watch David JP Phillips’ TED Talk: How to Avoid Death by PowerPoint. It’s brilliant — and brutally honest.
Better yet, get a designer (or learn a few basics in Canva) and build visuals that enhance your presence instead of replacing it.
Mistake #5: Not Practising Delivery
“I’ve written my talk, made my slides… I’m ready, right?”
Not quite.
Great speakers rehearse. They refine how they move, how they pause, how they bring the message to life.
You can have world-class content — but if your delivery feels flat, disconnected, or robotic, it won’t land.
✅ The Fix: Rehearse for Charisma
Charismatic delivery includes:
- Animated voice – Play with pitch, pace, and pauses
- Facial expression – Use emotion to connect with your message
- Gestures and movement – Purposeful, open, and aligned with your words
Whether you’re presenting at a lectern or standing centre stage, your body is part of the message.
Rehearse with your slides. Record yourself. Watch it back.
Yes, it’s uncomfortable at first — but it’s the fastest way to grow.
The Hidden Benefits We Rarely Talk About
You might think this is all about “being a better speaker.”
But the truth is — these five fixes ripple through every area of your life and work.
Here’s what happens when you commit:
✅ You reduce stress and anxiety
Overcoming procrastination builds calm, control, and confidence — not just in speaking, but in life.
✅ You sharpen your thinking
Writing scripts helps you refine ideas, expand your vocabulary, and communicate with clarity in any situation.
✅ You make every minute count
Learning to time your talks makes you more impactful in meetings, pitches, and consultations where time is limited but stakes are high.
✅ You tap into your creative muscle
Designing better slides (even in tools like Canva) builds your visual storytelling skills and turns your team into brand champions.
✅ You develop transferable skills
Practising delivery prepares you for high-pressure conversations, performance reviews, leadership moments, and more.
✅ You change how you see yourself
Getting in front of the camera — or watching yourself present — helps you face your self-beliefs head-on. For some people, it’s the start of personal transformation.
Ready to Step Up?
There are only two ways forward when you speak:
- You reinforce your authority, confidence, and brand
- Or you reinforce your fear, doubt, and disconnection
The difference?
Preparation. Practice. Purpose.
Let’s stop making these five mistakes.
Let’s start building talks worth remembering.
P.S. Want help fixing these mistakes and turning your message into a high-impact talk or keynote?
Check out The Ultimate Guide to Speaking or book a 1:1 coaching call with me. We’ll get you from idea to impact — without the panic.
