We’ve all spent time perfecting a presentation—whether it’s a new business pitch, a strategic recommendation or a high-stakes client meeting—but great ideas alone aren’t enough. A strong presentation sells, but a compelling delivery that truly connects with an audience closes the deal.
I’ve always loved connecting with people—it comes naturally to me. While speaking in front of an audience comes with some nerves, I’ve always felt comfortable and energized by the opportunity to share my thoughts. There’s something incredibly rewarding about delivering a presentation and bringing your hard work to life. That said, communication is a skill, and like any skill, even the most seasoned speakers can be good at it. But to truly stand out, be memorable and make an impact, you need to go beyond good—you need to be great at it.
I recently completed Cornell University’s Executive Presence Certificate, which focused on owning the room, engaging audiences and communicating with confidence. Public relations and public speaking aren’t just about what you say, they’re about how you make people feel when you say it.
Taking this course challenged me in new ways—not just in learning new techniques, but in the uncomfortable task of recording, rewatching and re-recording myself. (If you’ve never done this, the first few takes can feel nothing short of cringeworthy!) Seeing myself on camera made me acutely aware of both my strengths and areas for refinement. It also revealed things I hadn’t considered before, like using “catch breaths” to regulate pace and eliminating filler movements to make intentional gestures, all while maintaining a strong posture.
After 15 weeks of training, I’ve distilled the five most valuable lessons into practical tactics you can start using immediately—whether you’re presenting on stage, in a boardroom or simply leading a small, internal meeting.
Support Your Words
Before you can master the strongest tools of your voice, you need to build a solid foundation.
- Breathe with purpose. Breathing is the foundation of speaking. Running out of air mid-sentence weakens delivery and can interrupt thoughts, so fill your lungs before you speak and take deep, quick “catch breaths” between sentences to maintain vocal energy, regulate nerves and control your pace.
- Pause for impact. A well-timed pause breaks the noise and draws the listener’s attention to key points, keeping your audience engaged. This also gives them a moment to absorb what you just said.
- Use eye contact to connect. Silence allows you to scan the room, make eye contact and ensure your message has landed. When making a point, take a moment before and after to connect by making eye contact. This moment reinforces engagement and gives space for the audience to respond.
- Eliminate filler words. We all know “um” and “you know” serve no purpose. Pausing and replacing fillers with silence instead of defaulting to fillers instantly makes you sound more polished and intentional.
Tap into Vocal Variety
Your voice is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal—how you deliver your message is just as important as the words themselves.
- Avoid monotony. A boring delivery can make even the most compelling content fall flat. Intentionally adjust your volume, pitch, speed and tone to match your words and highlight key phrases to keep what you’re saying engaging. Bring the energy and enthusiasm and practice different combinations of vocal variety to find which will be the most impactful.
- Experiment with contrast. Vary your pace and volume to enhance meaning—fast and loud, slow and soft, etc. A listener’s ear naturally hones in on changes, so use them strategically to keep your audience hooked.
- Align your delivery for impact. The same phrase can sound vastly different depending on the purpose. “One, two, three” can be a gentle teaching moment, a firm command or an exciting countdown—make sure your tone, pace and emphasis match your intent.
- Make it conversational. Even in a formal setting, your speech should feel like a dialogue. Aside from verbally, your audience is responding internally, so speak as if it were a conversation—own your words, allow time to connect, space for reactions and adjust as needed.
Use Gestures That Speak
Your hands should enhance your message, not distract from it.
- Find your “hand home.” When not gesturing, keep your hands in a natural, comfortable position—at your sides, lightly clasped in front of you or positioned as if holding a tray. Maintain your hands in this position until you’re ready to gesture intently. Avoid unnecessary, repetitive hand movements that add no value.
- Match movement to meaning. Gestures should align, and therefore start and end, with the specific words or statement you’re delivering. Use expansive hand motions for big ideas and identify movements that will precisely match details. Expand your range of movements and experiment with gestures that take up space both vertically and laterally. Facial expressions or subtle head movements can also be used as gestures!
- Maintain balance. A strong, grounded posture commands attention, so maintain an even center – imagine a pillar running through your head and torso. Keep your body upright while allowing natural movement to avoid looking stiff. A great way to practice balance is by speaking with your back against a wall.
- Take up space and time. Your presence should match the room and the weight of your message. In large rooms, use bigger gestures and a stronger voice that fills the space. In a smaller setting, adjust accordingly. Acknowledge your audience when entering and before wrapping up to ensure you’re connecting with them.
Hack Preparation
Great speakers don’t just rehearse their words, they prepare their presence.
- Score your speech. Mark your script where you’ll use gestures, pauses and vocal shifts. Doing so not only allows you to prepare consistently, but also visually reveals where you may have potential opportunities to include other delivery techniques.
- Address self-doubt. Be aware of anxieties, self-judgment or tension in your delivery. Recognizing these tendencies is the first step in eliminating them through practice and preparation.
- Walk in with intention. Enter and exit purposefully. Stand tall and work on walking to take up space and time, appropriately adjusted to the setting in which you’re speaking. Whether in-person or virtual, the way you enter a space sets the tone—stand tall, breathe deeply and project confidence before you even begin speaking.
Enjoy The Process
A presentation isn’t a monologue, it’s a conversation. Even if your audience isn’t speaking, they’re reacting.
- Sell it. Passion is contagious. If you believe in what you’re saying, your audience will too. Let your enthusiasm shine while staying true to your authentic style. Reflect the energy and meaning behind your words to make your message compelling.
- Handle mistakes with confidence. If you misspeak, assess whether it needs correction or if the audience will naturally understand. Often, the best move is to keep going. If a correction is necessary, keep it brief—“rather, XYZ”—and move forward. A well-placed joke can lighten the moment and maintain engagement. How you handle the unexpected influences credibility as much as your message itself.
- Stay relaxed. Be mindful of tension—whether it’s poor balance, clenched muscles, shallow breathing or nervous energy. Awareness is the first step in correcting it.
- Have fun. Once you’ve prepared, trust your work and commit fully. Engage your audience, bring them along for the journey and let go of self-judgment.
Effective public speaking isn’t just about delivering words, it’s about creating a connection. Executive presence is the ability to command attention, engage an audience and project confidence. By using your voice, breath and gestures with intention, you transform a presentation into a dynamic exchange rather than a one-sided speech. Confidence grows with practice, and self-awareness is the key to improvement. Record yourself, refine your delivery and embrace every opportunity to get better! The best speakers don’t just hold attention; they engage, influence and leave a lasting impact.
