August 2025
Introverts can be great public speakers. While they may prefer solitude, introverts often excel at preparation, authenticity, and audience connection — making them strong communicators when given the right tools and support.
In a recent coaching session, I played a video of a national news anchor interviewing a CEO. My coaching client used to work for the same company as the CEO. She said she knew the CEO is an introvert and suggested he must have practiced a lot to get to a high level of comfort.
This isn’t the first time I’ve heard someone associate the act of public speaking with the personality trait of an extrovert.
Full transparency: I’m an extrovert and before I became a coach, I made the same assumption as my client. The truth is, both research and experience debunk this myth.
Countless pieces online are written about introverts and public speaking. One of the most convincing testimonials comes from Dorie Clark. Her impressive resume includes being a keynote speaker and a member of the executive education faculty at Columbia Business School. In a 2022 Fast Company column, the self-described introvert encourages people not to confuse introversion with shyness.
Clark also argues public speaking is good for people like her because, “being the center of attention means you can avoid an introvert’s worst nightmare: unstructured mingling with complete strangers.”
When it comes to public speaking, introverts don’t have a disadvantage, and extroverts don’t have a leg up. Both have to prepare equally. Trudy Kremer, one of Jackson Spalding’s partners, describes herself as an introvert. She started the agency’s coaching practice and specializes in businesswomen presenting with confidence. She says there are no short cuts, “I practice a lot, out loud, for every speaking opportunity, large or small. I’ve learned over the years that I have to be deeply authentic to my own voice.”
Whitney Ott is also one of Jackson Spalding’s partners and often facilitates large business meetings for clients. She’s an extrovert and echo’s Trudy’s comments about practice for herself, “It took years, and still does take a lot of time, to get more comfortable enough to cross the hump of content delivery to confidently connect with your audience. Do what it takes to cross that hump.”
No matter your personality type, you can develop the skills needed to communicate with confidence. Here are tips to help introverts and extroverts build confidence as public speakers:
It’s important to no longer think of your personality trait as a reason why you can’t be a good public speaker. It’s not about who you are. It’s about what you can learn.
To build confidence, find a comfortable subject to talk about based on your area of expertise. To prepare, do the following:
I wish I had a more glamorous tip. But the reality is public speaking is just like any other skill: the more you practice, the better you become. First, practice by yourself to get comfortable with the material.
We suggest you practice the exact situations pertinent to your job. For example, learning how to stay composed when asked difficult questions is a key speaking skill.
All speaking engagements have differences and nuances to consider. If there’s a time limit, time yourself and honor that limit.
Trudy teaches the importance of muscle memory, “Speaking in front of an audience isn’t easy for anyone. It’s strength you build over time. Every time you take the opportunity, success or failure, you’re building solid muscle.”
Whitney says, “The more confident you are actually talking to people versus delivering flawlessly, the more you can be authentically you.” Trudy agrees, “Audiences connect with people who are genuine, vulnerable and true to themselves rather than polished, perfect presenters who seem impervious.”
Once you know the material, practice in front of a trusted partner knowledgeable about the scenarios you face. This should also be someone who can give you honest and helpful feedback to improve performance.
Whether you’re energized by a crowd or need quiet time to recharge, your personality isn’t a barrier to effective communication. Introverts public speaking successfully isn’t a myth — it’s a matter of preparation, authenticity, and consistent practice. Embrace your strengths, lean into learning, and your voice will resonate with confidence.
Want to learn how to stay composed under pressure? Connect with our coaching team today.
