What Business Professionals Can Learn from Actors About Public Speaking

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Why presentation training needs less fluff—and more stagecraft

If public speaking makes your palms sweat, you’re not alone. In fact, according to a widely quoted 1970s survey (and confirmed again in more recent studies), when ranked public speaking often claims a top spot, similiar to death. Yes, really.

In a brilliant article from The Economist’s Bartleby column (24 May 2025), the author explores this enduring fear and—refreshingly—suggests that the best solutions come not from motivational clichés, but from actors.

As a communication coach who works with executives, technical leaders and international professionals across industries, I couldn’t agree more. In my persuasive presentation training programmes, I use many of the same techniques highlighted in the article to help clients turn anxiety into impact.

Here’s a look at the key points The Economist raises—alongside my professional perspective on why they matter:

🌟 Public Speaking: Still a Paralysing Fear

In their 2012 study, professors Karen Dwyer and Marlina Davidson found that speaking in front of a group remained the top fear among American students—outranking financial stress, loneliness, and yes, even death.

This fear can be especially intense for professionals communicating in a second or third language, where the pressure to “get it right” often overrides the confidence to speak naturally and persuasively.

🎭 Why Acting Lessons Can Make For Great Performance

Forget the tired advice to “just be yourself” or “imagine the audience in their underwear”. As the article rightly notes, drama schools like RADA Business offer something far more practical.

Three standout lessons from performance training, all of which I integrate into my public speaking courses and executive presentation coaching, include:

1. Speaking is a Physical Activity

As Kate Walker Miles (RADA Business) explains, posture, breath and movement all affect how you come across. For example:

  • Slightly bend your knees (no locked legs!) for grounded energy.

  • Imagine a “golden thread” lifting you from the crown of your head.

  • Relax and energise your jaw to free up your voice.

💡 In my coaching, I embarce 5 vocal foundations to help clients speak with more presence and vocal power—especially vital when presenting virtually or in a language that isn’t their own.

2. Slow Down & Eliminate Filler Words

Silence isn’t awkward—it’s a power move.
Michael Chad Hoeppner’s technique of “finger-walking” helps speakers pause and choose their words deliberately, cutting out the “ums” and “ers” that clutter your message.

💡 I always say: “Let the silence work for you.” In persuasive communication, pacing is presence. It shows control, clarity and confidence.

3. Turn Off ‘Selfie View’ and Focus on the Audience

Nerves often come from focusing on how you are doing rather than how your audience is feeling. Actors use a technique called “actioning”, assigning intention to each line with verbs like: inspire, challenge or entice.

💡 This is powerful in business too. Whether you’re giving a quarterly update or a product pitch, be clear: What do you want your audience to feel and do next?

🎯 Why This Matters in Business

The article closes with a spot-on truth: while some professions offer little value to corporate life, acting absolutely does. The skills that captivate an audience on stage are the same ones that inspire stakeholders, energise teams, and win new business.

And it’s not just about performance—it’s about authentic, strategic communication. That’s what builds trust, visibility and influence.

Ready to Transform How You Present?

If you're serious about developing persuasive, confident, and impactful communication—without sounding like a robot or a TED Talk impersonator—my free guide is a great place to start.

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Article credit:
This post references and responds to the excellent column by Bartleby in the Business section of The Economist, published 24 May 2025, see the link above for the article in full.