I dread public speaking – should I stick with new client-facing role I know I’ll hate, or quit to find another job?

APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions. Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who has avoided public speaking their whole career but is now unable to avoid it due to a job description change. Karren Brady gives you career advice Q) I absolutely hate any kind of public speaking and have spent most of my working life avoiding presentations, which has meant I haven’t put myself forward for promotions or new opportunities. However, my manager has recently told me my job description is likely to be changing moving forward and I will have to be much more client-facing. Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter Thank you! She’s promised I will have lots of support and training, and has assured me she thinks I’ll be great once I’ve built up my confidence, but I’m still not convinced. There aren’t any other roles I could move to in the company, so either I do this new job I know I’ll hate, or quit to find something else. READ MORE FROM BOSSING IT What should I do? Becki A) Reading your letter, I don’t think the problem is that you’re incapable of public speaking. It sounds more like you’ve spent years avoiding situations that would have helped you build confidence over time. Most read in Fabulous What stands out to me is that your manager clearly believes in you. Most bosses don’t offer additional training and support unless they genuinely think someone has the potential to succeed. Before you start thinking about leaving, give yourself the opportunity to learn. Confidence is rarely something people are born with – it’s usually built through preparation, experience and repetition. Try breaking the challenge down into smaller steps, rather than focusing on the end result – one client meeting, one presentation or one conversation at a time can feel far less daunting. If in six months’ time, you’ve genuinely given presenting and public speaking your best shot and still decide the role’s not for you, then that’s a different conversation. But don’t let fear make the decision before you’ve even had the chance to try. Comment now