Episode #165: Stage Fright Got You?
Overcoming Stage Fright — How Dale Carnegie Training Transforms Fear into Confidence
Why do professionals in Japan struggle with stage fright?
Hands shaking, knees knocking, heart pounding — stage fright can strike anyone. In Japan, entire associations exist for people seeking to overcome this fear. Whether speaking at a meeting, giving a report, or addressing a larger audience, the “stage” appears more often as we advance in our careers.
As our responsibilities grow, so do expectations to communicate effectively. Yet few professionals proactively prepare for this. Stage fright doesn’t just affect confidence — it can limit leadership potential and career growth.
Summary: Many businesspeople in Japan underestimate how critical public speaking becomes as they rise professionally.
What happens when success outpaces communication skills?
Promotions often bring unexpected pressure. Take Tetsuya Miyaki, a government official who rose to lead a municipal department and later became a city ward mayor. His duties suddenly included frequent public speeches — and with them, intense stress.
Like many high achievers, his ambitions outstripped his ability to communicate under pressure. Instead of enjoying success, he found public speaking a source of anxiety and exhaustion.
Summary: Career advancement exposes the untrained communicator; presentation skills can make or break leadership credibility.
How can stage fright silently limit your career?
Early avoidance creates long-term cost. One professional recalls declining to be his friend’s best man — not for lack of time, but for fear of speaking at the wedding. He later found himself rushing through a presentation in Tokyo, finishing a 30-minute talk in just 8 minutes, face flushed and voice trembling.
Years of repetition helped little without structured training. Like many others, he learned that fear doesn’t fade on its own — it must be replaced with skill and confidence.
Summary: Avoiding public speaking delays progress and creates missed opportunities for influence and recognition.
What finally turns fear into confidence?
Everything changed after attending the High Impact Presentation Course by Dale Carnegie Tokyo. With expert coaching, real-time video feedback, and proven methods developed over 100+ years, the transformation was immediate and profound.
The realization was clear: decades of missed opportunities could have been avoided with proper training. True growth begins when professionals stop running from stage fright and start mastering it.
Summary: Dale Carnegie’s structured coaching turns fear into persuasive power — faster than years of trial and error.
Key Takeaways
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Stage fright affects professionals at every level, especially in Japan’s demanding business culture.
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Public speaking is an essential skill for leadership, sales, and executive communication.
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The Dale Carnegie High Impact Presentation Course delivers measurable improvement through expert feedback and real-world practice.
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Investing in presentation skills accelerates leadership growth and strengthens your personal brand credibility.
About Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo
Founded in the U.S. in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has helped professionals worldwide develop leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI skills for over a century.
Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, continues to empower both Japanese and multinational organizations to communicate with confidence and lead with impact.