The Four P’s of Public Speaking: Broadcaster Louise Houghton on confidence, culture, and how to shine in the spotlight

Public speaking isn’t optional anymore, it’s essential. Whether you’re pitching a new venture, leading a meeting, or delivering a keynote, your ability to speak with clarity and confidence can shape your success. Yet, despite its importance, it remains one of the most common fears in professional life.

I’ve seen it time and again; people who are experts in their field freeze the moment they stand behind a lectern. Their voices falter, their shoulders tighten, and the message they’ve spent years refining gets lost in nerves.

As an international broadcaster and moderator, I’ve spent over two decades on stage and screen working for Networks like BBC, SkySports, Universal, CNBC and Netflix. I’ve hosted award shows, moderated panel discussions and fronted a daily live lifestyle show for 8 years at DWTV. When it comes to interviews I’ve had the pleasure of sitting down with celebrities such as Sylvester Stallone, Nico Rosberg or Jack Savoretti and I’ve talked to countless C level professionals from leading brands like Google, Samsung, BMW and more.

Standing under bright lights in front of audiences up to 10 million at a time, I realised that the difference between a good speaker and a great one isn’t just content, it’s presence; how you carry yourself, how you breathe, how you connect. So why do so many people struggle with this skill?

Why we struggle to Speak Up

In Britain, confidence is often mistaken for arrogance. We grow up taught not to “show off,” to keep our heads down and let our work speak for itself. It’s an admirable humility, but it doesn’t serve us well on stage. In today’s smaller, more connected world, what reads as modesty to some can come across as a lack of conviction to others, especially to international audiences who equate confidence with credibility.

Part of this comes down to what psychologists call imposter syndrome — the feeling that you don’t deserve to be where you are, that you’ve somehow slipped through the cracks and might be “found out.” It’s surprisingly common among high achievers. Add the expectation to perform publicly, and that quiet doubt can swell into visible nerves.

There’s also what Australians named tall poppy syndrome — the tendency to cut down those who stand out. If you’ve grown up in a society that portrays the message that it’s safer to blend in than stand out, it’s no wonder that standing on stage feels uncomfortable.

Other cultures have their own versions of this. In Japan, they have a proverb; “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down” In Scandinavian countries, “the law of Jante” — warns against thinking you’re better than anyone else. Yet in the U.S. or parts of Southern Europe, enthusiasm and self-promotion are seen as positive, even expected. The same behaviour that feels boastful in London might be interpreted as passionate in New York or Milan.

So much of public speaking anxiety isn’t about fear of forgetting lines like actors might have, it’s about fear of judgment. Fear of being too much. Fear of being seen. When that cultural conditioning meets adrenaline, we mistake the natural surge of energy for panic. Our hearts race, our palms sweat, and we label the feeling fear. But as researcher Dr Brené Brown notes, “Anxiety and excitement feel the same in the body — it’s how we interpret them that determines the outcome.”

Adrenaline isn’t the enemy — it’s your fuel. 

I shared this once backstage with a exec who was nervous, and I came to realise my experience could really help others. People don’t give dull speeches because they lack intelligence, but because no one has ever taught them how to translate their brilliance into stage confidence. Once they learn to use the adrenaline as fuel, the nerves can transform into focus, energy, and presence.

Impromptu coaching moments backstage, between sessions or before keynotes evolved into a methodology I call the Four P’s of Public Speaking, which I explore in depth in my forthcoming book, Shine in Your Spotlight.

The Four P’s of Public Speaking

The method behind Shine in Your Spotlight rests on four pillars: Personality, Presentation, Preparation, and Performance.

1. Personality

It all starts with you. Before you write a word, you need to understand your mindset and your barriers. Many of our nerves come from old stories: the time we stumbled at school, or the belief that we’re “not the type” to stand on stage.

One of the first exercises I give clients is to reframe fear as excitement. List what they think they are scared of next to a list of reasons to give the speech. When we look at the facts rather than feelings, it becomes clear that the Purpose of giving the speech outweighs the nerves and helps them to dissipate. Reframing anxiety as anticipation changes the whole experience.

2. Presentation

Once the mindset is set, we shape the message. This is about clarity, structure, and story. Whether you’re pitching investors or addressing peers, know your audience and tailor your tone. Keep it concise, conversational, and visual. People remember stories, not slides.

Passion is contagious. If you’re not excited about your subject, your audience won’t be either.

3. Preparation

Benjamin Franklin said it best: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” But preparation isn’t just about memorising a script. It’s about rehearsing with intention. Focusing on your body language, your breathing, your transitions.

Record yourself, watch it back, notice where you stumble or speed up. Familiarity breeds confidence. You can’t always eliminate nerves, but you can plan for them.

4. Performance

This is where it all comes together. From how you warm up your voice to the way you walk on stage, every detail contributes to presence.

A few quick tips side stage:

Close your eyes – this lowers your heart rate and helps you focus.

Do some box breathing or long slow deep breaths.

Speak positively to yourself – your body is listening.

Smile – genuinely. It changes your tone and your chemistry.

And above all, remember this: the audience wants you to do well. They’re not waiting for you to fail; they’re hoping to be inspired.

Public speaking isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection. When you strip away the nerves, what remains is authenticity. When you find your voice and learn to use it with purpose, everything changes: your career, your confidence, your impact.

After all, the ability to articulate ideas confidently is what moves projects forward, secures funding, and wins trust. So, the next time you feel that surge of nerves before a big presentation, remember, it’s not a sign of weakness. It’s your body reminding you that what you’re about to do matters.

You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room, just the most authentic one.

If you would like to learn more about how to truly SHIINE IN YOUR SPOTLIGHT, you can find tools, resources or coaching at www.louisehoughton.com/coaching or @louisehoughton_ on social platforms