Woman speaking in a presentation with a speech bubble that reads, “It’s a myth that introverts are bad presenters,” emphasizing the misconception about introverts and public speaking.

Overcome the Self-Doubt That Stops You from Being an Excellent Presenter

| 6 min read
246 shares

Do you doubt your ability to speak up, thinking you’re not the public speaking type? Many people do. But the truth is, most beliefs about presentation skills are simply wrong. Let’s break down these myths and boost your confidence—you’ve got far more potential than you think.

In the next video, Morgane Peng, Head of Product Design & AI Transformation at Societe Generale, tackles three common presentation myths and shows you why you’re more capable than you realize.

Show Hide video transcript
  1. Transcript loading…

These myths are more fiction than fact. If any of them have held you back, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not stuck. Let’s break them down one by one.

1. Communication comes naturally: Nope. Chatting with friends is one thing. Presenting clearly at work is a skill. And good news—it’s totally learnable.

2. Soft skills don’t matter as much as technical skills: Soft skills are technical skills now. Especially when you work on cross-functional teams. Managers want team players who can collaborate, explain their work, and make users smile.

3. Introverts are bad presenters: False. Introverts often excel at presenting because they think deeply and listen well. You don’t have to be loud—you just need to be clear.

The Take Away

Presentation excellence is a learnable skill, not an innate talent, and it holds immense value alongside your technical design expertise. The myth that communication comes naturally is simply untrue—professional presentation involves established techniques anyone can master. Furthermore, soft skills like communication are no less vital than technical abilities—managers recognize their invaluable role in teamwork and collaboration, making them the top critical skills in today’s workspace.

Your personality type, whether introverted or extroverted, does not determine your potential as a presenter. The belief that introverts are ineffective presenters is a misconception—their natural introspection and attentiveness often make them excellent, genuine communicators who resonate deeply with audiences. Embrace your unique qualities and develop these dynamic soft skills. You will not only improve your presentations but also shape a more impactful and rewarding career.

References and Where to Learn More

Read our article Key Soft Skills to Succeed as a UX Designer.

Check out Forbes’ article Public Speaking For Introverts.

Topics in This Article

246 shares

Open Access—Link to us!

We believe in Open Access and the democratization of knowledge. Unfortunately, world-class educational materials such as this page are normally hidden behind paywalls or in expensive textbooks.

If you want this to change, , link to us, or join us to help us democratize design knowledge!

Share Knowledge, Get Respect!

Share on:

or copy link

Cite according to academic standards

Simply copy and paste the text below into your bibliographic reference list, onto your blog, or anywhere else. You can also just hyperlink to this article.

IxDF - Interaction Design Foundation. (2025, September 30). Overcome the Self-Doubt That Stops You from Being an Excellent Presenter. IxDF - Interaction Design Foundation.

New to UX Design? We're Giving You a Free eBook!

The Basics of User Experience Design

Download our free ebook “The Basics of User Experience Design” to learn about core concepts of UX design.

In 9 chapters, we'll cover: conducting user interviews, design thinking, interaction design, mobile UX design, usability, UX research, and many more!

A valid email address is required.
326,495 designers enjoy our newsletter—sure you don't want to receive it?