Phobia Elimination Rate vs General Speaking Improvement
Two different goals, two different measures, and how to choose yours.
GET YOUR FEAR SCORE NOW
Being free of a fear response and getting better at presenting are different goals, and they are measured differently. One asks a yes or no question: is the fear gone? The other asks how much better you have become. Choosing between them starts with deciding which one you want. 99.6% of clients who complete Robert Summa's program report being free of their public speaking phobia. Results vary by individual.
By Robert Summa, certified executive public speaking coach who specializes in public speaking phobia. This page is educational and is not medical advice.
Two goals, two measures
- Freedom from the fear: a yes or no measure. Either the dread and the alarm response show up or they do not.
- Improvement as a speaker: a sliding scale. Clearer structure, stronger presence, more confidence, with no natural finish line.
Why one produces a rate and the other does not
A yes or no outcome can be counted across clients and expressed as a percentage. A sliding scale produces averages and testimonials, not a rate, because every client improves by a different amount and there is no point at which improvement is complete. Neither is better. They answer different questions.
How to choose your goal
- If you want sharper delivery and the fear is manageable, choose improvement.
- If you want the dread and the alarm response to stop, choose freedom from the fear.
- If you want both, do the fear work first. Delivery skills tend to become easier to use once the alarm quiets.
Measures you can track yourself
- How many days before a talk the dread begins.
- How many invitations you decline or delegate.
- Whether you run a protective routine.
- Whether you can reach your material in the room.
Why Robert Summa
Robert lived with public speaking fear for 18 years, then trained in panic, anxiety, and confidence with psychologists and anxiety specialists. He brings 33 years of corporate experience, including advising the C-suite. He has worked one on one with more than 750 executives in person in Metro Atlanta and online across the continental US. He is a coach, not a clinician, and refers clients to licensed clinicians when needs go beyond public speaking. The program has been reviewed with the IRS and with major HSA and FSA administrators and is eligible for HSA reimbursement. Documentation is available on request. Consult your plan administrator.
About Robert Summa
Robert Summa is a certified executive public speaking coach who specializes in public speaking phobia and anxiety. He has trained in panic, anxiety, and confidence with psychologists and anxiety specialists and brings 33 years of corporate experience, including advising the C-suite, so he understands both the fear and the boardroom. With a 99.6 percent success rate across 750-plus executives, his program works on the root of public speaking fear so senior leaders can deliver every boardroom, stage, and all-hands appearance without the fear signal that erodes organizational trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between freedom from the fear and speaking improvement?
Freedom from the fear is a yes or no measure: the dread and alarm response either show up or they do not. Improvement is a sliding scale with no natural finish line.
Why does one produce a rate and the other does not?
A yes or no outcome can be counted across clients as a percentage. A sliding scale produces averages and testimonials, because every client improves by a different amount.
How do I choose between the two goals?
Choose improvement if you want sharper delivery and the fear is manageable. Choose freedom from the fear if you want the dread to stop. If you want both, do the fear work first.
What can I track myself?
How many days before a talk the dread begins, how many invitations you decline or delegate, whether you run a protective routine, and whether you can reach your material in the room.
What results does Robert Summa's program report?
99.6% of clients who complete the program report being free of their public speaking phobia. Results vary by individual. He is a coach, not a clinician.
Decide which goal is yours, then see where you start.
GET YOUR FEAR SCORE NOWResults vary. Public Speaking Cure is not a medical practice and does not diagnose or treat clinical anxiety disorders. Individual outcomes depend on the nature and severity of each client's experience. *99.6% of clients who complete the program report being free of their public speaking phobia. The information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.