Nervous About Presenting at Work? Start With a Topic You Care About

If the prospect of giving a presentation at work fills you with dread, Bain offers a simple starting point: seek out opportunities to speak about something that genuinely interests you.

Her advice focuses on choosing a subject you care about, rather than treating every speaking opportunity as an exercise in overcoming nerves.

“Choosing a topic you feel genuinely passionate about will always make it easier,” Bain says.

That may mean looking for existing opportunities to discuss your interests. If none are available, she recommends creating those opportunities yourself.

Ahead of your next workplace meeting, the takeaway is straightforward: consider what you would be eager to talk about, not just what you feel obliged to present. Bain’s advice puts that personal interest at the heart of making public speaking feel more approachable.