20 2.1 Speaking with ConfidenCe
have a lower heart rate when speaking, and you rate your performance as
moderately successful.
• Inf lexible. If you have an inf lexible style, you have the highest heart rate when
speaking publicly. Some people use this high and inflexible level of anxiety
to enhance their performance. Their fear motivates them to prepare and be
at their best. For others, the anxiety of the inflexible style creates so much
tension that their speaking performance is diminished.
• Confrontational. You have a confrontational style if, like many people, you
have a very high heart rate as you begin presenting a speech, and then your
heart rate tapers off to more average levels. This style occurs in people who
report a strong emotional or affective response to speaking and is character-
istic of people with some public-speaking background.
Knowing the style of communication apprehension you have can help you
in at least three ways:
• It may help to know that you are not alone in how you experience appre-
hension and that others likely share your feelings.
• Having a general idea of your own style may give you greater insight into
how to better manage your apprehension. For example, if you know that
your apprehension tends to spike upward at the very beginning of speaking
to an audience (the confrontational style), you will need to draw on strate-
gies to help manage your anxiety at the outset of your talk.
• The research on apprehension styles lends support to the theory that com-
munication apprehension may be a genetic trait or tendency.^23 As we’ve
said, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to manage your anxiety;
it means that, depending on your own tendencies, you may need to learn
more to determine the specific strategies that work best to help you manage
the apprehension you may feel. Read on, because we next discuss a variety
of ways to build your confidence.Quick Check
Understand Your Nervousness
keep in mind:
• nervousness is your brain trying to help you.
• nervousness is predictable.
• You’ll feel more nervous than you look.
• You are not alone.
• it’s normal to be nervous.
• You can relabel your feelings and use them to your advantage.