What Is Enjoyable About Public Speaking

Why do so many professionals in Japan hate public speaking?

Many managers and executives feel that public speaking is painful, not enjoyable. It feels like going to the dentist — something you must do, not something you want to do.

As careers progress, leaders in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (multinational companies in Japan) must present more often, for longer, and to more important audiences. Yet most people never receive proper プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation skills training), so every speech feels stressful and risky.

Mini-summary: Most professionals dislike public speaking because it is frequent, high-stakes, and they have never been trained properly.

Many people think, “I survived, so it’s fine.” But over time, this habit damages your personal and professional brand:

• You speak without energy or clear structure

• Your message is hard to follow

• Your nervousness becomes visible to others

Some people suffer from shaking hands, red face, dry mouth, or a racing heart. Without training, they simply move from one fearful experience to the next, never improving.

Mini-summary: Avoiding training keeps you stuck in a cycle of fear, weak delivery, and lost credibility.

Most business presentations are “one and done”. You give the talk once and never use it again. But practice can be repeated, even if the actual event is not.

You can:

• Rehearse your talk many times alone, out loud

• Practice standing, moving, and using gestures

• Treat the presentation like an athlete treats a competition

Just as a Karate practitioner repeats kata in the dojo, a leader should repeat their key messages before important meetings.

Mini-summary: Repetition through rehearsal builds confidence and reduces fear before you ever step on stage.

Nervous speakers often think, “What if I fail? What will people think of me?” The focus is on themselves, not on the listeners.

To change this:

• Decide that the talk is for the audience, not for you

• Give each person about six seconds of eye contact

• Watch their reactions and adjust your energy and message

• Use open body language and strong gestures

• Add tonal variety — speed, volume, and pauses — to keep attention

By focusing on audience value, you naturally become more expressive and engaging.

Mini-summary: When you focus on serving the audience, your fear decreases and your impact increases.

At some point, the energy in the room changes:

• People smile, nod, and laugh at your stories

• They stay engaged instead of checking their phones

• Many start to lean in slightly as they listen

When twenty, thirty, or one hundred people do this, you feel their attention and trust. It can feel almost like a positive “rush.” This is when public speaking stops being a duty and starts becoming a genuine pleasure and a powerful leadership skill.

Mini-summary: Public speaking becomes enjoyable when you are skilled, prepared, and fully connected with your audience.

Dale Carnegie Tokyo offers プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training) designed for leaders and high-potential talent in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (multinational companies in Japan). Our programs connect presentation skills with:

• リーダーシップ研修 (leadership training)

• 営業研修 (sales training)

• エグゼクティブ・コーチング (executive coaching)

• DEI研修 (DEI training)

With over 100+ years of global experience and 60+ years in 東京 (Tokyo), we help executives move from fear to confidence, and from “just surviving” to truly enjoying every speaking opportunity.

Mini-summary: Dale Carnegie Tokyo combines global expertise and deep Japan experience to make your public speaking both effective and enjoyable.

• Public speaking fear is common, but it is trainable, not fixed.

• Repetition and rehearsal significantly reduce anxiety before important talks.

• Shifting focus from yourself to the audience makes you more confident and engaging.

• With the right プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training), public speaking can become a pleasure and a core leadership strength.

Founded in the U.S. in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has supported individuals and companies worldwide for over a century in leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI. Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, has been empowering both Japanese and multinational corporate clients ever since.