Matt Abrahams

It is really terrifying. People would rather be standing on the precipice of a 30-story building covered in snakes and spiders rather than giving a presentation. Up to 85% of people report feeling nervous in high-stakes communication situations. Quite frankly, I think the other 15% are lying. This is something that's just innate to being human.

People would rather be standing on the precipice of a 30-story building covered in snakes and spiders rather than giving a presentation. Quite frankly, I think the other 15% are lying. We can prepare to be spontaneous. All communication, planned or spontaneous, needs to be goal-driven.

People would rather be standing on the precipice of a 30-story building covered in snakes and spiders rather than giving a presentation. Quite frankly, I think the other 15% are lying. We can prepare to be spontaneous. All communication, planned or spontaneous, needs to be goal-driven.

People would rather be standing on the precipice of a 30-story building covered in snakes and spiders rather than giving a presentation. Quite frankly, I think the other 15% are lying. We can prepare to be spontaneous. All communication, planned or spontaneous, needs to be goal-driven.

People would rather be standing on the precipice of a 30-story building covered in snakes and spiders rather than giving a presentation. Quite frankly, I think the other 15% are lying. We can prepare to be spontaneous. All communication, planned or spontaneous, needs to be goal-driven.

People would rather be standing on the precipice of a 30-story building covered in snakes and spiders rather than giving a presentation. Quite frankly, I think the other 15% are lying. We can prepare to be spontaneous. All communication, planned or spontaneous, needs to be goal-driven.

Those of us who study it have found it across all cultures. It tends to start around the same time. Young teens are when our anxiety around speaking in front of others really takes off. And you're right. It's not just planned communication. It's also in the moment spontaneous speaking, which if you think about it is most of our communication. So it's part of being human.

Those of us who study it have found it across all cultures. It tends to start around the same time. Young teens are when our anxiety around speaking in front of others really takes off. And you're right. It's not just planned communication. It's also in the moment spontaneous speaking, which if you think about it is most of our communication. So it's part of being human.

Those of us who study it have found it across all cultures. It tends to start around the same time. Young teens are when our anxiety around speaking in front of others really takes off. And you're right. It's not just planned communication. It's also in the moment spontaneous speaking, which if you think about it is most of our communication. So it's part of being human.

Those of us who study it have found it across all cultures. It tends to start around the same time. Young teens are when our anxiety around speaking in front of others really takes off. And you're right. It's not just planned communication. It's also in the moment spontaneous speaking, which if you think about it is most of our communication. So it's part of being human.

Those of us who study it have found it across all cultures. It tends to start around the same time. Young teens are when our anxiety around speaking in front of others really takes off. And you're right. It's not just planned communication. It's also in the moment spontaneous speaking, which if you think about it is most of our communication. So it's part of being human.

When it comes to managing anxiety, you really have to... The single best thing you can do in small talk is just be curious.

When it comes to managing anxiety, you really have to... The single best thing you can do in small talk is just be curious.

When it comes to managing anxiety, you really have to... The single best thing you can do in small talk is just be curious.

When it comes to managing anxiety, you really have to... The single best thing you can do in small talk is just be curious.

When it comes to managing anxiety, you really have to... The single best thing you can do in small talk is just be curious.

First and foremost, we have to...

First and foremost, we have to...

First and foremost, we have to...

First and foremost, we have to...