One in three Londoners have lost confidence public speaking since pandemic

A third of Londoners are less confident public speaking than they were before the pandemic – the highest level in the UK.

An exclusive poll by Survation has revealed 18.5 per cent of people in the city are much less confident speaking in front of people, with a further 15.2 per cent slightly less confident.

The 33.6 per cent total compares to the UK average of 26 per cent being less confident.

The research was commissioned by Speak With Impact, a public speaking coaching firm which works across the UK helping people with presentation skills.

Its director Gavin Brown wanted to know if people were more anxious speaking in front of people now restrictions have lifted and people were heading back to the office.

And while a third of Londoners have lost confidence since lockdown, 20 per cent said they were more confident.

Survation polled more than 2000 people across the UK, including 263 in London.

Across the UK, 26 per cent said they were less confident, while women were significantly more likely to have lost confidence (30 per cent) than men (22 per cent).

Confidence levels were also impacted by age.

Nearly 42 per cent of those aged between 25 and 34 were much or slightly less confident, as well as 39 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds and the same proportion of 35 to 44-year-olds.

In the over 65 bracket, just nine per cent said their confidence had suffered. The research took place between May 26 and 31.

Gavin Brown, director of Speak With Impact, said, “This research shows a significant number of people in London have lost confidence in their ability to speak publicly since the pandemic, the highest rate in the UK.

“London is a powerhouse that needs to lead the way when it comes to workers being confident when it comes to speaking and presenting.

“The loss of confidence seems to be particularly high in people who are starting out their careers or trying to move up the career ladder, from the age of 18 right up to 44.

“Given many people were afraid of presenting and speaking publicly before the pandemic, it’s obvious we need to work even harder to help those who have lost their confidence.

“This is an issue that will not fix itself – it’s important that businesses and organisations help their staff at all levels overcome these problems for the sake of their own development and the wider economy.”