The fear of death and public speaking are usually on the top list of fears and phobias.
According to Gavin de Becker (The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence by Gavin de Becker) the fear of public speaking is actually linked to the fear of death.
This is interesting and makes sense when you think about it.
When we are scared of public speaking we are typically afraid of doing a poor job and losing some of our identity. In the past those of lack of our poor identity were banished from their tribe or village, usually resulting in death.
That connection is still alive today. Speak poorly > Lose identity > Lose job/home/family > Lose more identity > Lose life.
What’s more interesting is once you make the connection our fear of public speaking may entirely disappear.
I know the next time I’m asked to speak publicly I’m going to ask myself before “Am I going to die from this?”