Surely you can’t refuse?

[beepbops]

I work in marketing. One of my colleagues refuses to do public speaking because it causes them to feel very anxious, tight chest, unable to sleep, sick, the whole works apparently. I understand it can’t be nice and do know how it feels but it places the burden onto other members of the team. It is true and they are great other ways round but reluctant to even give this a go, usually standing up in front of about 20 professionals and rarely can be as many as 100. It’s not often we are asked to do it maybe four or five times a year. I’m not sure it’s fair that exemptions continue to be made for this when a lot of people (myself and other colleagues included) do feel awkward and uncomfortable about doing it too, surely you’d just look for a job that’s not going to involve this if it’s going to cause you so much angst! A quick google tells you it’s one of the most common phobias among adults

No it doesn't actually, some people just don't like public speaking. Both my DDs hate giving presentations to their classes but they have not got anxiety.... They have normal healthy anxiety which makes them nervous.

The 2 are completely different and I'm getting fed up with people throwing the mental health card as an excuse because it's a hidden disability and hard to prove without formal diagnosis. It makes those of us who genuinely suffer have a harder time trying to get help!!

I wonder if she was told, if she doesn't present there would be a performance interview..... I know lots of folk that just happen to then be able to present but with lots of noises.

Exactly!!!!!

I think the OP is being unreasonable. It's not the main part of the job if it's only 4 or 5 times a year and she seems to go above and beyond in other ways. My dm wanted me to give a speech at their 50th wedding anniversary and I knew it would ruin the occasion for me. Dm was quite rude about my refusal though she accepted my brother not doing it so I asked dd2 to do it ( she gets nervous but was willing) and I wrote 90% of the speech. Everyone including my parents thought it was wonderful.

It is normal nowadays for companies to be accommodating to their employee's needs. I work for a company and the supervisors know our strengths and weaknesses. Of course sometimes we do have to do a job that we aren't so good as and others take the slack but hopefully that evens out.

The point of being a team is that theoretically you'll all bring different strengths & weaknesses.

So yes, they might not stand up & present, but they pick up the slack by being amazing at ideas or Excel spreadsheets or whatever. This should be open & acknowledged.

If that's happening, it shouldn't feel like such an issue - because let's be honest, it's the fairness issue not their lack of progression opportunities for them that's bothering you.

Believe me, it's a lot worse when a colleague won't admit to being scared of presenting and instead makes up sore throats/bad teams connections/ other utter shite so you have to do it EVERY TIME. Yes, I'm talking about you ex-collegue.

No I can completely sympathise with this person. I used to black out and faint of even the attention was turned to me in a meeting, let alone having to speak. Please try and be understanding and don’t make this an issue for them. Feeling awkward about doing it and having serous anxiety about it are quite different

Came to say this .

Also why would you want to put someone forward who won't look comfortable representing your team or so it sounds like .

Do it yourself if you're super confident and real the rewards

A specific fear of public speaking which, for some people, can cause a debilitating physiological response - basically a panic attack. When I was younger I used to suffer quite badly. It is very closely linked to the wider issue of social anxiety but you can have one without the other.

The physiological response can include things like racing heart (mine used to beat at anything up to 175bpm), high blood pressure, hot flushes and sweating, shaking/trembling, dizzyness, fainting, vomiting, disconnection from the outside world (I couldn't hear properly when I had them), unable to concentrate, unable to speak coherently, struggling to breathe.

It is not simply being nervous. That happens to almost everyone but can generally be overcome by simply getting on with it. That's how I feel doing presentations now and it is very very different.