Why People Fear Public Speaking More Than Death (And What to Do About It)

– Norm Laviolette, Improv Asylum CEO | Co-Founder

It’s been said that public speaking is one of the greatest fears in the world—outranking heights, spiders, and even death. 

That’s right. For some people, the idea of standing on a stage and talking in front of a group is more terrifying than the Grim Reaper himself. Imagine that for a second: you’re at a funeral, and the person giving the eulogy would rather be in the casket than behind the podium. It sounds ridiculous… until you realize how deeply rooted this fear really is.

Why Are We So Afraid to Speak in Public?

The psychology behind this fear is ancient and deeply human. At its core, public speaking triggers the same primal response we had back when being ostracized from the tribe meant literal death. In modern terms: we’re afraid of being judged, rejected, or looking foolish. Public

speaking puts us in the crosshairs of exactly that—an audience staring back at us, evaluating every word, every pause, every sweat bead forming on our forehead.

This fear is often driven by:

Fear of being judged – “What if I sound stupid?”

Fear of failure – “What if I forget what I’m supposed to say?”

Fear of exposure – “What if they realize I have no idea what I’m talking about?”

What makes it worse is the shame loop. People think, “If I’m this afraid to speak in front of people, something must be wrong with me.” But here’s the truth: you’re not broken. You’re normal. In fact, your anxiety around public speaking doesn’t mean something is wrong with you—it means you’re experiencing what most people feel but are too embarrassed to talk about.

Getting Better at Public Speaking is Just Like Getting Better at Anything

Let’s bust another myth: the idea that great public speakers are just “born that way.” That’s nonsense. Public speaking, like any skill—whether it’s playing an instrument, lifting weights, or running a marathon—can be learned. And, like anything else, the key is progressive exposure.

If you wanted to run a marathon, you wouldn’t step out your front door and immediately run 26.2 miles. You’d start by walking. Then jogging. Then maybe a 5K. Eventually, with consistent effort, your body adapts.

Public speaking is the exact same process—but for your nervous system and your confidence. Start small. Practice speaking up in meetings. Volunteer to give a toast among friends. Rehearse in front of a mirror. These are your warm-ups. Over time, your “speaking stamina” grows.

Why Improv Is One of the Best Tools for Public Speaking

Of course, we’re a little biased. At Improv Asylum, we believe improv is one of the best (and most fun) ways to build public speaking skills—and for good reason.

Here’s why:

Improv is the gym for your mind. 

Just like physical training strengthens your body, improv strengthens your mental agility, presence, and confidence under pressure. 

You’re not alone. 

It’s a group workout. Improv is built around the concept of ensemble. You’re not onstage solo—you’re in a room full of people all trying the same thing. That alone eases the pressure and helps normalize the fear. 

You start small. 

Many improv exercises require only one or two words at first. You gradually build up to longer scenes and conversations, so your comfort zone expands naturally—not with a shove, but with a nudge.

You build muscle memory for communication.

Because you’re repeatedly putting yourself in front of a group in playful, low-stakes ways, your brain begins to realize: “Hey, this isn’t so bad.”

Don’t Wait to Feel Brave—Start Small and Start Now

Whether you choose improv, a traditional public speaking course, an acting class, or even karaoke—anything that gets you vocalizing in front of people helps. The trick is to take that first small step. You don’t need to aim for TED Talks. Just aim for showing up.

And remember, if you’re afraid of public speaking, it doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’re human. But it also means you have the capacity to grow.

If you’re looking for a fun, supportive, and genuinely transformative way to get better at public speaking, we’d love to see you in an improv class. But wherever you start—just start.

Because being able to speak up isn’t just a professional skill.

It’s a life-changing one.

Want to learn more about how the principles of improv can help you and your team become better communicators, innovators, and culture builders?

CONTACT US to learn more!