The three reasons high performing accounting & finance leaders experience speaking anxiety

Speaking anxiety, or 'presentation anxiety' plagues over 75% of finance leaders, particularly those of you that identify on the introverted side of life.

It's not one of those a 'you have it or you don't' things - it's a scalable feeling that hinders even the most confident and experience of us.

What I've seen, especially in the last 5 years, is that roles in finance have become more people focused in nature, more human, more communication based - and as a few clients have told me, the change in the role has certainly rocked the boat for the more technically minded who sat happily in the introverted/task focused space.

I got into accounting because I'm good at numbers and to avoid people based roles, boy was I wrong!

For years communication has been there, almost thrown in as a helpful "Oh yes, suppose we could mention it on the desirable list" and now firmly on the essential skills list.

The biggest obstacle for for many is the ability to feel as comfortable putting yourself out there as you do dealing with the intricacies of numbers.

Putting ourselves 'out there' means;

• Being open to criticism
• Being open to getting it wrong in the moment
• Looking foolish
• Being unprepared by questions
• Feeling and looking unprofessional

Why do we experience speaking anxiety?

For the most part, we experience speaking fear for the reasons above - but the deep down nitty gritty of it in terms of our phycological needs, is that it makes us feel unsafe. The truth is your nerves will appear for difference reasons, and only effective way to start feeling more confident to to understand how you as an individual, works.

Here's a little self awareness exercise to help you understand more about what's happening with you. Answer quickly, without too much thought and in your own words:

• How does your personality like to share information (data/visuals/stories/see the process/the end result)?
• What words would your colleagues use to describe you when you present?
• How would you describe you?
• What am you feeling right now, and why?

You should now have a greater idea of what might be lurking behind the surface, holding you back. If you had any questions about this, or wanted to learn more about you, take a look at my free assessment tool at the end of the article.

Despite your personal results, in every instance , I see the same three things reduce confidence in finance professionals across the board.

1) Fear of getting it wrong

You are a perfectionist at heart. Many finance and accounting professionals rate highly for analytical personalities, this means you like things that are right and correct. It makes you feel all sorts of good. The possibility of being anything less than perfect causes analysis paralysis where you freeze and explore all the ways speaking in public can go wrong. Finance is a binary learning experience - you get it right or wrong. A creativity and explorative mindset is what's needed to conquer public speaking and presenting - there are only shades of right and wrong.

Check out the live I did on it here:

2 ) Not understanding what triggers you

Any actual problems that happen when speaking with people usually can be traced back to being unaware of your triggers. Triggers are known for being something that promotes a volatile reaction, but here I'd like to go a bit more on the subtle side.

Trigger 1: Memory.

Our nerves or reluctance to speak up can be because we have previously experienced a negative situation. You were spoken over, shot down or put on the spot and flustered and carry this experience with you.

Trigger 2: Value based.

Triggers are also set off when something irks us or grates on our inner or inherited values.

i.e. Respect for authority. Some feel uncomfortable speaking to someone they think of as 'higher' up the rung from you, or you may clash with more loud or strong willed personalities. You are eager to please them and have your work recognised, which means you would rather not rock the boat and hold your self back for fear of fear a negative reaction.

Triggers 'go off' because you are not aware of who or how you are affected. Awareness of the WHY is the first step to managing yourself in the moment, which also leads to 'having presence'.

3) Thinking vulnerable means weak

"I want to feel more confident,"

"They are always SO confident!"

Sometimes we view confidence as some sort of strong shield that others wear.

Think of someone influential at work. What makes them that way in your eyes? The truth is confidence comes from knowing that if you mess up, you can handle yourself, and for being clear on what you stand for.

I learned this in a really painful way, and dislocating a hip!

Years ago I had the fortunate to be invited out on the first of a few years of ski trips with my soon to be in-laws - they had all been skiing for years. I hadn't.

I felt nervous, I felt vulnerable, inexperienced and shaky. Remember - the anxiety is our brains telling us we're not safe. On a mountain this became very real! I was definitely out of my comfort zone - plus I the stakes were high. I wanted to give a great impression, rather than that of an ill-coordinated giraffe on ice.

The thing about skiing, much like speaking, it only really works if you lean in and throw yourself down that mountain.

Trying to brave face, I told the others I felt fine heading down a red run, not letting them know I was scared.

It wasn't just them I was lying to, but also myself big time. What happened? I fell awkwardly dislocating my hip in the process.

Not cool.

IN Conclusion

The next year I knew my weak points and I told everyone, and weirdly - I felt more confident. I knew how to handle the bumps at speed. That's the real secret. Showing your vulnerability, being clear and then if you hit the bumps you are more prepared and more ready to lean down the mountain when it counts.

Being comfortable in your vulnerability is where confidence comes from.

This Wednesday 13th January I am hosting a free workshop where I'll be sharing my methods from 15 years of coaching speakers, introverts and finance professionals to increase confidence and conquer speaking and presenting anxiety. Register your place here

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About Me

I am an Executive Speaking and Impact Coach, known for working with accountancy and finance professionals, a leading writer on presentation skills and presence in finance, host of Presenting Accountants podcast.

I coach accountants and finance professionals to to become clear confident speakers , and have a stronger sense of their professional presence so that they can make waves in their role.

If you have something holding you back from being influential and making an impact with finance, you can take my free account's impact assessment to help you get an idea of which soft skills to develop.

Take the 2 minute assessment here