Why Australians struggle so much with public speaking
Have you ever noticed how many Aussies would rather wrestle a croc than stand in front of a crowd and give a speech? Considering we live in a country crawling with things that can actually kill us, that's pretty wild. But it’s true. We hate public speaking. It terrifies us more than spiders, snakes, and shark-infested waters combined. So, what’s really going on here?
The Short Story:
Aussies are notoriously anxious about public speaking.
Our culture, especially tall poppy syndrome, holds us back.
Schools don't teach speaking skills, so we grow up unprepared.
Fear of looking silly stops us even when we're good at it.
Admitting the problem is step one towards fixing it.
Tall Poppy Syndrome: Australia’s Favourite Pastime
You know the drill: "Don't get too full of yourself, mate." Tall poppy syndrome—it's practically our national sport. We love a good underdog, but anyone who rises too high gets cut down real quick. That fear of standing out, looking cocky, or being labelled "up themselves" makes public speaking feel like a minefield.
Tall poppy syndrome creates a culture where people are hesitant to speak up, fearing they'll be cut down for standing out. – Hugh Mackay, Australian social researcher
It’s a cultural catch-22. Stay humble, stay quiet, and stay safe. Speak up, stand out, and risk being socially chopped down. It’s no wonder most Aussies would rather keep their heads down.
Here’s what I've noticed time and again:
Around 87% of Australians dread public speaking.
Fear of judgement is intensified by our obsession with humility.
We confuse confidence with arrogance, so we avoid speaking up.
Education, Or Lack Of It
Think back to your school days. How many times were you properly taught how to speak publicly? Chances are, hardly ever. We memorised facts for exams, we wrote endless essays, but when it came to speaking up clearly and confidently, we were mostly left to fend for ourselves.
Public speaking should be taught like maths or science. It’s fundamental to personal and professional success. – Simon Birmingham, Australian politician
Schools have plenty on their plates, sure, but leaving communication skills out of the equation has left generations of Aussies in the lurch. In my training sessions, nearly everyone mentions how little they learned about public speaking in school. It’s a gap that Macquarie University’s research clearly identifies as something that, if addressed, could massively boost confidence and reduce anxiety.
The Aussie Nightmare: Embarrassment
Let’s be honest—we’d rather face physical danger than social embarrassment. Standing in front of a crowd, our minds race: "What if I mess up?" "What if I sound stupid?" "What if they laugh?"
It’s rarely the speaking itself that’s the problem—it’s the potential humiliation that scares us to death. Even seasoned professionals and leaders confess to me privately just how much the fear of embarrassment affects them. The anxiety of imagined scenarios often feels far worse than the reality ever turns out to be.
The fear of embarrassment in public speaking often surpasses the reality of any mistake one might make. – Brené Brown, author and researcher
What I’ve noticed repeatedly:
The fear of embarrassment often outstrips actual ability.
Imaginary disasters in our heads are more frightening than reality.
This fear hits everyone, regardless of experience or status.
The Bottom Line
Australians don’t struggle with public speaking because we're incapable. It’s deeper than that—it's cultural, educational, and psychological. Acknowledging these issues is the first crucial step.
When we admit what's holding us back, we create space to address it. We need supportive environments where it's safe to speak up, practice, and make mistakes without fear of being mocked or cut down. Every Aussie has something worth saying—it's about time we gave ourselves permission to speak up and be heard.
