Turning public speaking anxiety into strong storytelling skills

Public speaking remains one of the most persistent sources of professional anxiety. That’s largely because it carries so much pressure. 

It’s a skill that can open doors, improve daily communication, and influence how others perceive you. Yet the fear that accompanies public speaking often holds professionals back from improving. 

That’s exactly what former Montreal Police (SPVM) spokesperson André Durocher sees in his classroom.

“Very few people in the course are planning to be professional speakers,” he says. “They want to feel better when they have to present at work.”

Durocher, instructor for the Effective Public Speaking course at Concordia Continuing Education, believes most people are more capable than they realize. With the right techniques, even the most nervous speakers can learn to communicate with clarity, composure, and confidence.

Gaining experience in the public eye

Durocher’s own move into public speaking was unexpected. In the early 2000s, during his 30-year career with the Montreal Police, an incident on his beat drew media attention. His superiors asked him to speak to reporters — something he’d never done before. 

It went so well that a few days later, he was assigned to lead the SPVM’s public relations division. Today, Durocher serves as director of community relations and road safety for the Canadian Automobile Association, a role that keeps him in the public eye.

Although his public relations work began in crisis settings, Durocher says his lessons apply to professionals in every sector, including those working in virtual formats, presenting to different audiences, and managing nerves. No matter the scenario, Durocher stresses that strong communication begins with authenticity.

“Whether you’re speaking to me right now or you’re speaking to me at a bar, you should be the same person,” he says.

Authenticity and connection over perfection

Many learners come to class feeling self-conscious about their voice or accent. Durocher challenges those doubts.

“Your audience doesn’t care about your accent,” he says. “They care about what you’re saying. If you’re authentic, people connect with you.”

He also reframes the fear of judgement.

“A friend of mine once said being shy is actually a form of narcissism,” he says. “You believe everyone is looking at you. Why are you so special? They're not looking at you. They’re thinking about themselves.”

Helping learners shift focus from their own insecurities to the needs of the audience is central to his teaching. Rather than treating public presentation as a memorization exercise, Durocher positions it as a flexible skill. He finds that speakers who rely too much on written notes often struggle when the situation changes. Being able to speak naturally — in your own words — and respond to the room is far more effective.

“Tell me the story, [don’t just follow] the script,” he says emphatically.

Preparing beyond the words

Durocher teaches that good public speaking goes beyond words. He helps learners build awareness of body language and delivery. Audience adaptation is also extremely important. While a message may remain the same, how you deliver it to the listener is crucial.

Most of his students are professionals who need to present effectively in their roles. Some are in leadership positions; others are speaking for the first time in a second or third language. To support these diverse learners, Durocher evaluates students based on personal progress — not in comparison to others.

The course begins with a short written reflection on each learner’s strengths and weaknesses. Durocher notes that quite often, learners initially misidentify their biggest challenge, believing that the problem is simply nerves or language barriers when factors like posture, audience engagement, and even visual setup play just as large a role.

“Imagine how much of a percentage of potential stressors you've eliminated just by being prepared and checking the room, the lighting, your slides, everything,” Durocher says.

Feedback delivered in a supportive environment

Deeper insights emerge during practice sessions, where students receive feedback from Durocher and peers. He ensures the environment stays constructive and conducive to practice.

“Nobody is here to be humiliated,” he stresses. “We’re all here to get better.”

Demonstrating the value of being in the moment, the former cop shares a story from a press conference years ago where he was pressed for details about an operation at a hotel that involved biker gang members. 

He had to think quickly.

“It’s pretty safe to presume they weren’t trading hockey cards,” Durocher offered. 

The quote made headlines. And it worked because it connected with Montrealers and diffused tension without revealing sensitive information.

For Durocher, the goal of public speaking isn’t to impress — it’s to be understood.

“At the end of [the course] you won’t be perfect, but you will be better than when you started,” he says. “The only person you need to surpass is yourself.”