For me, it's sharks then addressing a large crowd. But topping the list of fears for many people is public speaking. Even giving a toast to a room full of colleagues during a holiday party will likely cause some paralyzing stress.

Nonprofit communications organization Toastmasters International puts it well:

Standing in front of a group of attentive listeners makes most people feel vulnerable. It also adds a burden of responsibility, expectation and opportunity. This can be overwhelming and downright scary.

Public speaking is a learned skill, developed much like other skills: over time, with practice and some guidance. Here we've culled some tips for confronting the public-speaking challenge and boosting confidence in your ability to do it successfully.

Prepare
Never wing it. Be well prepared before speaking to a group. Know your material, anticipate questions and lay out your strategy. Ensure all materials are ready and contingency plans made.

Moreover, know your audience — as this will give you a better idea of the subject matter and tone of your speech — and know the conditions of the room. Arrive early, if possible, to double-check any equipment you may use (e.g., microphone, visual aides, etc.) and everything else on your checklist. Maybe greet some audience members as they arrive; for many, it's easier to speak to a group of friends or, in this case, acquaintances than to strangers. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area, practice using the microphone and any visual aids you may use, and generally get a feel for things.

Failing to prepare is one of the biggest public speaking mistakes, according to Toastmasters International, which notes: "Your reputation is at stake every time you face an audience — so rehearse well enough to ensure you'll leave a good impression!"

This leads to the second recommendation...

Practice
Even if you know your material well, it is very important to practice: Practice alone, practice to a spouse, practice to a friend — even practice to a mirror or an infant (preferably your infant). The more you give a talk, the more automatic it becomes and the more confidence you have in your abilities to give the speech, according to Ron Kurtus at School for Champions. Of course, practicing to a person gets you closer to the "real world" of speaking to other people, especially to a group.

Toastmasters suggests:

Rehearse out loud with all equipment you plan on using. Work to control filler words. Practice, pause and breathe. Practice with a timer and allow time for the unexpected.

Also consider recording your practice speech, as this allows you to play back the speech to study how you sound, your phrasing, the content of the material and to revise if necessary.

Relax
OK, so this isn't the easiest thing to do. When you look at the audience, panic may set in. But if you've prepared and practiced, you can be more sure of yourself. It may not feel like it, but you are in control of the situation.

Still, this is easier said than done. So do whatever it takes immediately beforehand: take deeper, contained breaths; listen to music; doodle; stretch; pray; do shoulder and neck rolls, whatever.

Then begin your speech by addressing the audience, as this buys you time to calm your nerves. "Pause, smile and count to three before saying anything," according to 10 Tips for Public Speaking: "Transform nervous energy into enthusiasm."

After all this, perhaps the most comforting nugget again comes from Toastmasters: "Realize that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative and entertaining. They're rooting for you."

Once you realize that and relax, the audience will also read your body language and respond accordingly.

As for that speech-induced, potentially disastrous flop sweat, Forbes' publisher Rich Karlgaard cured his by dabbing antiperspirant cream on his forehead, nose, cheeks and neck the night before a speech."

Now he's lost his public-speaking fear and consequently doesn't have to deodorize his face.

Resources

Toastmasters International

Advanced Public Speaking Institute

School for Champions

Forbes