I was always scared of speaking in front of people. Even as a child, just thinking about it made me very nervous. I avoided it for a long time. But once I faced my fear, I learned new skills and grew stronger in my career and personal life.

I used to avoid things that made me uncomfortable because it felt safer. I liked staying in my comfort zone, where nothing was scary. But as I grew older and worked more, I realized real growth happens outside that zone. Public speaking was tough, but then something changed.

Winning the MVP award from Microsoft for three years in a row made me feel much more confident. I started trying things I used to avoid. I found that fear didn’t have to control me. By facing it, I could grow. Public speaking became a way to connect with people, share my thoughts, and contribute to something bigger than myself.

This experience taught me some important lessons that I want to share with you.

1. Leadership Isn’t About Being the Loudest

One of the first things I learned is that being loud doesn’t always mean you’re in control. Sometimes, being quiet is even better. I discovered that my quiet nature was a strength. I didn’t need to talk loudly or argue to get attention. Speaking in a calm, clear way helped people hear me better. I realised that strong communication isn’t about volume, it’s about clarity and respect.

When I spoke quietly, people listened more closely. I learned that speaking softly made it easier to share my ideas. It’s not about how loud you speak, but how meaningful your words are. The power of your message is more important than the volume of your voice.

2. The Respect That Comes from Speaking Softly and Listening Closely

I also realised that speaking softly helped me listen to others better. When you speak too loudly, you might end up controlling the conversation. But speaking softly gives others space to share their ideas too. It makes the conversation more balanced. When you show respect by listening, people are more likely to respect your words and listen carefully to what you say.

By speaking quietly, I found that my team and coworkers respected me more. They saw me as someone friendly who listened to their ideas. I wasn’t just talking to be heard, I was talking to connect with others. As a result, I was able to build stronger friendships and work relationships.

3. Words are Easy, But Actions Define You

I found out that talking without action doesn’t work. People can spot when you’re not being genuine. Words are important, but if they don’t match your actions, trust fades. After winning the MVP award, I understood it was a sign of my work, not the measure of my value.

Confidence isn’t about having perfect words or speaking well. Make sure your actions reflect your words. People respect honesty and those who keep their promises. When you speak with purpose and show it through action, others will trust you and follow your lead.

Now, public speaking isn’t scary for me anymore. I take part in events and company activities, looking for new challenges. It's not about speaking loudly but about making sure my words have a real impact and bring positive change to those around me.

Overcoming fear has changed me a lot. Public speaking is only one part. The real challenge is stepping outside my comfort zone and not letting fear stop me. I’ve realized that fear, even when hard to face, helps me confront obstacles and grow stronger as I break through them.

Remember a time when something felt too tough, but you didn’t quit. Now, looking back, you see how much stronger you’ve grown. Facing our fears helps us improve and opens up new chances we never thought we’d have.

The first step is always the hardest, but once you move forward, you’ll see how much you are truly capable of doing. You’ll be proud of yourself for trying!