Have you ever been part of a presentation, workshop, or team meeting where you were bored to the core? Perhaps the speaker read from overloaded slides, talked in monotone, or flooded the audience with data that felt completely disconnected.
Now think of the opposite. A speaker who had you smiling, taking notes, and walking away feeling inspired. Someone who made the content relatable and even enjoyable. You probably still remember that moment.
So, what is the difference between the two?
The answer lies in the speaker’s presence, storytelling, and ability to create a connection. You do not need to be theatrical. You do not need to be loud. But you do need to be intentional.
Having been in front of many rooms, I have come to realize that improving onstage performance is less about being perfect and more about being real. Let me share five simple practices that have helped me and others become more confident and impactful when speaking in front of any audience.
1. You Are the Presentation, Not the Slides
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This might sound obvious, but it is one of the most overlooked truths. People come to hear you, not your PowerPoint. If you are relying entirely on your slides, you are missing the point.
For the first few minutes, avoid touching the slide clicker. Use that time to build rapport. Talk about why you are there, what you are hoping the audience will walk away with, and why the topic matters to you. The slides can wait.
When you do use slides, keep them clean and minimal. Use visuals or key words that support your message, not distract from it.
This is something we go deep into during our Presenting With Impact program. It is amazing to see professionals transform once they stop hiding behind slides and start owning their story.
2. Start With What Just Happened
Your audience does not arrive in a vacuum. Maybe they just came out of a stressful meeting. Maybe their commute was chaotic. Acknowledge it.
You might say, “I know it has been a long morning already” or “That last session was a tough act to follow.” Doing this grounds you in the moment and makes you relatable.
It is a small but powerful way to say, “I see you” without using those exact words. And when people feel seen, they are more likely to engage.
3. Tell a Story Before You Start Teaching
Our brains are wired for stories. That is why a good story draws people in faster than any list of facts.
Before diving into your key content, share something personal. It could be an experience, a lesson learned, or even a mistake that helped shape your understanding of the topic. The more honest you are, the more powerful your story becomes.
When I facilitate sessions on leadership or communication, I always begin with a real example. Not because I want to impress the audience, but because I want to connect.
We teach this skill extensively in our Influencing Through Stories workshop. Leaders learn how to make their messages stick, not by using more data, but by framing that data inside stories that matter.
4. Pause and Use Silence
Silence is not your enemy. In fact, it is one of the most underused tools in onstage communication.
After asking a question, give the audience time to think. After sharing an important idea, pause and let it land.
You might feel the urge to fill every second with words, but that often overwhelms the listener. Silence invites reflection. It gives the audience a chance to absorb and connect the dots.
If you want to see the impact of silence, try this: ask your audience a thought-provoking question, then wait. Let the silence stretch a little longer than what feels comfortable. Watch what happens.
5. Read the Room and Adjust
An engaging speaker does not just present. They notice. They sense when energy is dipping or when something they said landed with impact.
If people start checking their phones, do not pretend it is not happening. Shift your tone. Ask a question. Share a story. Bring their focus back.
If the audience is engaged, lean into it. Encourage a quick interaction or a reflection.
Being adaptive is one of the most important qualities of a good presenter. In our Facilitative Goal Setting sessions, we teach facilitators and managers how to observe, adjust, and meet the group where they are instead of where we think they should be.
Why This Matters in the Workplace
You may not consider yourself a public speaker. But every time you present a strategy to your team, onboard a new hire, or pitch an idea to your leadership, you are speaking onstage.
And how you show up in those moments matters.
Onstage performance is not about performance in the theatrical sense. It is about presence. It is about connecting your message to your audience in a way that makes them feel something and act on it.
In today’s workplace, where attention spans are short and distractions are many, your ability to engage a room can define the kind of influence you hold.
A Closing Thought
You do not need to be the most charismatic person in the room to be a powerful speaker. You just need to be present, prepared, and honest.
So the next time you find yourself in front of an audience, whether that is a team of five or a hall of fifty, remember these five ideas:
- Focus on your presence more than your slides
- Acknowledge the moment before diving into content
- Use stories to create connection
- Embrace pauses and silence
- Respond to your audience, not just your agenda
Each time you speak is an opportunity to build trust, create clarity, and inspire action.
Let’s not waste that opportunity.
