RECENTLY, I was part of an interview panel and Muchaneta, a marketing graduate from a local university, walked in with a polished CV, neatly packed portfolio and a rehearsed smile.
I later realised that she had graduated with flying colours and had even volunteered in several community development projects to sharpen her communication skills.
But as she took her seat across from the panel and the first question dropped — “Tell us about yourself” — everything she had prepared vanished.
Her throat tightened, her palms grew clammy, and her voice trembled. Eventually, she went completely blank. No words came out. Muchaneta had all the qualifications, but fear locked her potential in silence.
Muchaneta’s story is not unique. It echoes the silent battles many graduates, professionals and even seasoned experts face when they are asked to show up. Fear. Anxiety. Stage fright.
These emotions often come not from incapability, but from inexperience. The fear of public speaking, interviews or pitching an idea is not rooted in the lack of ability.
It is a by-product of not having done it enough — of not having faced those intimidating moments head-on, again and again, until the nerves learn to behave and confidence becomes a habit.
Too often, we mistake our nervousness for a lack of competence. We judge ourselves harshly when we fumble, stutter or go blank in front of others.
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But the truth is: being afraid is not proof that you cannot do it. It simply means you have not done it enough. And the only antidote to this kind of fear is action — showing up.
“Show up and grow” is more than a motivational slogan. It is a call to embrace the discomfort that comes with doing something for the first time — and then doing it again until growth kicks in.
Muchaneta did not fail because she was incapable. She failed because she had not been in enough spaces where she was expected to express her ideas under pressure. She had not yet built the resilience that comes from repeated exposure to challenging moments.
The modern world often emphasises talent and intelligence but downplays the power of practice and experience.
Social media celebrates the end product: the polished speech, the successful pitch, the confident interview. Rarely do we see the shaky first attempts, the sleepless nights before a big presentation or the countless times someone rehearsed in front of the mirror.
Yet, it is in these imperfect, often unseen moments that growth takes root.
Every confident public speaker was once a trembling beginner. Every charismatic leader once stumbled through their first speech.
The difference between those who succeed and those who stall often lies in one thing: the courage to keep showing up. To try again after a flop. To say yes to opportunities that stretch you. To volunteer to lead a meeting even when your voice shakes. Growth never happens in retreat. It happens in action.
In universities, workplaces and churches, we need to normalise nervousness and reframe failure. It is okay to sweat during your first public presentation. It is okay to stammer during your first interview. What is not okay is allowing that fear to define you or worse, to stop you. Fear, in this context, is a temporary barrier, not a fixed verdict on your capabilities.
Universities and colleges must also play a role in nurturing environments that allow people to grow through experience.
Mock interviews, public speaking forums, mentorship programmes, and leadership training sessions must become more common.
We cannot afford to send students into the world with only theoretical knowledge and no real-world practice in expressing it. If Muchaneta had experienced more of these before her interview, her story may have turned out differently.
But it is not too late for Muchaneta. Her blank moment should be a powerful motivator. She can choose to join a toastmasters club, start presenting at community events or even practise daily with peers. Because once you start showing up — not perfectly, but consistently the fear fades and growth takes over.
Ultimately, show up and grow is not just for job seekers such as Muchaneta. It is for anyone who has ever let fear silence their voice.
Whether you are a student, pastor, team leader, or parent, the principle is the same: you do not need to be confident to begin. You need to begin to become confident. So next time fear tries to stop you, remember — you are not incapable. You are just inexperienced. Show up anyway. Growth is waiting.
- Cliff Chiduku is the director of marketing, information and public relations at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences in Mutare. He writes here in his personal capacity. He can be contacted on cchiduku@gmail.com or call/app +263775716517.
