What They Don’t Teach You About Public Speaking in Business School
In the boardrooms, pitch meetings, and client presentations that make up the rhythm of modern business, one skill consistently defines the great from the merely good: public speaking. And yet, despite the countless hours spent poring over case studies and corporate strategy in business school, many professionals graduate without mastering this vital craft.
Why is that?
Because public speaking, unlike finance or operations, is deeply personal. It intersects with our confidence, our sense of self, and our ability to connect with others—skills that can't be captured in a textbook or taught in a seminar. This post unpacks the critical gaps left by business education and offers actionable advice to help both new and experienced speakers elevate their presentation skills.
The Business School Gap: A Quick Reality Check
Business school teaches you how to structure a compelling argument, analyse data, and present your case. But it often falls short when it comes to:
Managing anxiety or stage fright
Developing a compelling stage presence
Engaging an audience emotionally
Using body language and voice effectively
Delivering without over-reliance on slides
Let’s dive into the real-world struggles and how to overcome them with practical, expert-backed solutions.
Stage Fright: The Silent Career Killer
Scenario: You’ve prepared your pitch deck, you know your numbers, but as you step up to speak, your hands tremble, your voice quivers, and your mind goes blank. Sound familiar?
Even seasoned professionals experience stage fright. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s a physiological response to perceived threat. Your body floods with adrenaline, preparing for fight or flight.
How to Overcome It:
Reframe the Fear: Instead of thinking, "I'm terrified," tell yourself, "I'm energised." Research from Harvard Business School suggests reframing anxiety as excitement can boost performance.
Controlled Breathing: Practise box breathing before your talk — inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4. This calms the nervous system.
Visualisation: Elite athletes use this technique, and you can too. Visualise the room, your delivery, and the applause.
Start Small: Practise in front of a mirror, then to a trusted colleague, then a small group. Build stage muscle gradually.
Exercise: Record a 2-minute introduction of yourself and watch it back. Note your posture, pace, and tone. Repeat until your delivery feels natural.
Poor Audience Engagement: Talking At Instead of To
Scenario: Your presentation is packed with data, but halfway through, eyes are glazing over. You’re losing them.
Too many presenters confuse informing with engaging. Business school rewards logic and structure, but in the real world, persuasion and connection win.
How to Overcome It:
Tell Stories: Humans are wired for narrative. We remember stories 22 times more than facts alone. Use personal anecdotes or client stories to illustrate your point.
Ask Questions: Interaction keeps your audience alert. Pose a question, pause, then provide your insight.
Vary Your Tone: Vocal monotony is a guaranteed engagement killer. Inflect with emotion, curiosity, and confidence.
Exercise: Take a slide deck you use often. Identify one point per slide where you could tell a short story or ask a question instead.
Lack of Vocal Variety: The Sound of Silence (and Dull Delivery)
Scenario: You’re clear and articulate, but feedback consistently says you lack presence or energy.
This is often a vocal issue. Without contrast in pitch, pace, and pause, your message lands flat, no matter how good your content is.
How to Overcome It:
Record Yourself: Most people are unaware of their vocal patterns. Listen for monotone delivery or rushed speech.
Play With Contrast: Use strategic pauses. Slow down for key points. Vary your volume and inflection.
Emphasise Emotion: Match your tone to your content. Sound excited about exciting things.
Exercise: Practise reading a short paragraph aloud in three different tones: authoritative, excited, and thoughtful. Notice the difference.
Ineffective Body Language: When Your Body Betrays Your Words
Scenario: You’re saying all the right things, but you notice your audience isn’t buying it.
Your body speaks volumes. Folded arms, lack of eye contact, pacing—all can signal discomfort or disinterest.
How to Overcome It:
Open Posture: Stand tall, feet shoulder-width apart, arms uncrossed. This conveys confidence.
Intentional Gestures: Use your hands to underline key points, not as nervous fillers.
Eye Contact: Make purposeful eye contact with different parts of the room, not just your slides.
Exercise: Film yourself giving a 1-minute pitch. Watch it on mute. What does your body communicate?
Disorganised Speech: The Fast Track to Forgettable
Scenario: You finish your presentation and realise you never quite got to your main point. Or worse, your audience isn’t sure what your point was.
Business school teaches content, but structure is king in communication.
How to Overcome It:
Use a Framework: Try the “What? So what? Now what?” model:
What? Your main idea.
So what? Why it matters.
Now what? What they should do next.
Signpost Clearly: Let your audience know where you're going. "First, I'll explain... then we'll look at... finally, we'll wrap up with..."
Stick the Landing: Always end with a clear takeaway or call to action.
Exercise: Take one of your existing presentations. Rework it using the "What? So what? Now what?" structure and practise delivering it aloud.
Why Personalised Coaching Beats Classroom Learning
Here’s the truth: mastering public speaking is less like studying and more like training. Business school gives you the theory; coaching gives you results.
Working one-to-one with a communication coach accelerates your progress because:
You get tailored feedback on your specific challenges
You build confidence faster through guided practice
You sharpen your impact in high-stakes situations
You develop a unique style that feels authentic, not rehearsed
Whether you're a leader aiming to inspire, a professional delivering pitches, or a new manager leading meetings, improving your presentation skills can transform how you're perceived and how much influence you carry.
Take the Next Step
If this post resonated with you, you're not alone. Thousands of professionals are held back by presentation habits they never learned to break—because no one ever taught them how.
Let me help you change that.
With tailored, practical communication coaching, you can speak with confidence, connect with impact, and lead with clarity.
Ready to upgrade your public speaking skills?
Reach out to me today for a free consultation. Together, we'll unlock the communicator you were meant to be.
Mark Westbrook | Public Speaking Coach Helping business professionals speak with confidence and impact.
