We know public speaking is many individuals’ greatest fear. And when people think of public speaking coaches, they often think of someone who will help them with the right words to say, the correct way to stand, the precise places to pause, and the exact spots to insert humor.

But let’s reframe the entire concept of public speaking. In essence, it has little do with speaking at all. The lack of expression stems from the fear of judgment, fear of vulnerability and the lasting impact of childhood trauma.

When I use the word “trauma,” I don’t necessarily mean a life-changing event. This scope of negativity can be as simple as being ignored in your third-grade class by your teacher. The subconscious sends a message that silence is the easiest way to exist.

Joe refused to be a part of my storytelling competition on multiple occasions. He felt that he didn’t have anything to share, and even if he did, he was not equipped to speaking in front of the room. The problem for Joe was that he was in sales, and his CEO, who cared for him, forced him to participate.

When I began working with Joe, I didn’t focus on classic public speaking techniques. I zeroed-in on his comfort zone. Joe loved to run. So, I immediately started jogging in place and suggested that Joe do his entire speech running in place. After coming forward about the obstacles in his life, we agreed that a marathon would be a perfect analogy for his speech. He ended his speech crossing a finish line that he put down on the stage.

Joe was not the perfect public speaker, but he gave the perfect public speech. This translated into every area of Joe’s professional and personal life. He was able to discover his value by expressing his pain and challenges.

Public speaking is not something that can be ignored. It rears its head in so many areas of a company. The problem is that times have changed and have added more challenges to communication. Why speak if you can text? Why stand up in front of a room when you can send a post on Facebook? Why show genuine emotion when you can post a picture on Instagram that makes it seem like everything is OK?

Everything is not OK. The workplace is crowded with millennials, who are the largest generation in the U.S. labor force according to Pew Research Center. This is a generation that came of age with the internet and the iPhone. There was a void of emotion absorbed by devices and computer screens.

Cindy was very hesitant to join the speaking competition as well. Her story was one of bullying and comments made to her in the second grade that she still held onto. She didn’t have anyone to speak to in the workplace. It was like a safety valve had been released when she realized that she was not alone and could actually voice her opinion. Once again, this was freedom disguised as public speaking.

Public speaking classes need to evolve with the times. No one wants to see a list of dos and don’ts. They want you to connect with them and bring out what they have been longing to say. That is true speaking, and the truest form of speaking is the type that we need more of in public.