5 Mistakes Public Speakers Make (That You’ve Probably Seen Too)

…and what to do instead.

I’ve been to several conferences lately, and while I love seeing public speakers get up and share their message, I’ve noticed a few patterns, subtle things that instantly shift the energy in the room, often without the speaker even realizing it.

These aren’t about whether you used slides or how funny your opening joke was. These are the moments where, as a coach and performer, I clock what’s not being said—and what’s being broadcast unintentionally.

So here they are: five common mistakes I see speakers make, even seasoned ones.

1. Faking Confidence (or Humility)

You’ve seen this. The speaker who storms the stage with bravado, or the one who over-apologizes, deflects compliments, or downplays their expertise.

Here’s the thing: faked confidence often comes off as combative, like the speaker is gearing up for a fight instead of sharing their heart. And faked humility can feel patronizing or confusing, making the audience unsure whether to trust the message.

What to do instead: Get present. Your power comes from congruence, not performance. Ground into your breath. Let your voice and body reflect real clarity, not armor.

2. Bad Mic Technique

If you’ve ever heard someone fade in and out like a glitchy podcast or tap the mic to “test” it mid-sentence, you’ve felt this one. It’s distracting, and it subtly communicates a lack of awareness or preparedness.

Treat the mic like a dance partner. Know where it is in space, stay consistent in your volume and distance, and practice beforehand. A great message deserves to be heard.

3. Soft Talking

This isn’t about vocal tone, it’s about presence. Speakers who trail off at the ends of sentences, speak in breathy tones, or seem afraid to take up space with their voice end up losing the room.

People want to listen. But if you don’t claim your voice, they won’t know how.

Breathwork helps. So does anchoring your message in your diaphragm, not your throat. Voice is energy. Let yours carry.

4. The “Pizza Arms”

You know when someone stands with both arms bent at 90 degrees, like they’re holding a pizza box? Or when their gestures repeat in the exact same rhythm, over and over, regardless of what they’re saying?

That’s what I call pizza arms. It's rehearsed or unconscious movements that don't match the speaker’s energy or message.

Instead of worrying about where your hands should go, connect your gestures to meaning. Movement should serve your message. And it starts with releasing tension and grounding through the body.

5. Speaking in Platitudes

“Be your best self.” "We all want to feel seen.” “Just keep going.”

Look, there’s truth in these phrases. But they’ve been so overused that they no longer land. Audiences crave specificity. If they can predict your next sentence, they’re already mentally checking out.

Instead: Say it differently. Say it like you. Offer your own metaphor, lived experience, or unexpected twist on the familiar.

Platitudes may get polite nods. But specificity gets remembered.

The Bottom Line

Public speaking isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. People don’t connect to polished shells. They connect to real voices, real bodies, and real emotions.

Want to connect more deeply, stand more powerfully, or sound like yourself again when you speak? I coach leaders, professionals, and creatives to find their voice and own the room, without faking a thing.

Let’s talk.