Here's how you can project confidence when speaking in public.

There is an old saying, "Prior preparation prevents poor performance." This is true when speaking up in high-stakes environments. I've also learned from my colleague Susan Colantuono that confidence comes from competence. A mistake I made once (never again!) was agreeing to give a speech that was written by someone else on a topic that I wasn't competent in. They wanted a high profile "talking head" and I made the mistake of saying yes. I practiced the speech but truthfully I didn't know the subject matter well enough and frankly, didn't really believe a word that was coming out of my mouth. It was awful. Never again! Now? I only speak publicly and confidently about the topics I am expert in, passionate about and committed to.

I used to be terrified of publicly speaking. Practice certainly helps, but the BIG change came with this simple realization - Everyone in the audience is an ally. All those people sitting there WANT me to succeed. They want to be entertained and informed. Heck, even those that don't agree with me want my ideas communicated clearly so they can fire back. I also stopped taking myself so damn seriously. Live a little, laugh at yourself.

Remind yourself right before going on stage to approach this opportunity from a place of gratitude instead of a place of “being put to a test”. You don’t HAVE to speak in public, you GET to speak in public. Having a message, a voice and an audience is a privilege that should never be taken for granted. Enjoy the ride!

The 55/38/7 Formula It was Albert Mehrabian, a researcher of body language, who first broke down the components of a face-to-face conversation. He found that communication is 55% nonverbal, 38% vocal, and 7% words only. So if you want your talk to stick and for it to make an impact you can’t ignore your body and how every movement, facial expression, step left or right…adds and can take away from the success of your talk. Study how ‘the influence zone’ with your arms and hands add the edge to your presence. Your audience will. If you are nervous, stumbling, defensive body language…they will become nervous for you and it will damage your time. Take charge, open your shoulders and breathe. Study and know your body. You’ve got this.

The most important key to good body language is eye contact, especially if you’re speaking to a large group. Don’t try to make eye contact with everyone. Instead, pick focal points around the room to make eye contact with a specific person. It will give the appearance that you’re looking more people in the eye than you actually are. Then for every new point you start pick another person at another location.

Ben Stein was famous for his monotone voice. Although famous, he is an example of how a lifeless voice can suck the life out of your audience (Bueller?!) Vocal variety can be achieved through various vocal exercises and pitch awareness (record your voice and play it back, it might shock you!) Take notes from voice actors: where you place emphasis on words can change the story you tell. Speed, pitch, and volume can all be used to enhance your message and keep your audience listening! Also my famous quote "there is power in the pause!" Don't be afraid of silence. Pausing with intention can create massive impact, leaving your audience leaning in wanting more.

Keep your tone mild , clear and confirmed. Try to articulates speech, take breath and speak a sentence and so on .don't be afraid to repeat what seems important and confirmed certain points .

Engagement is about observation. If you are paying attention, you will notice if people are listening, distracted, or bored. You can then adjust delivery based on your observations. For instance, if you see someone drifting off, you can say "typically this topic can be dry, but let's make this interactive; who here has experienced...?" infusing participation. If people ARE engaged, acknowledge them, communicate your appreciation for their attention, and segue to the next point. You can also let an audience know how much time you have left in your speech so they can mentally budget their attention. Effective public speaking should involve your eyes as much as your voice, this practice will improve engagement!

When you can, speak from your own experience. Your own stories are the most genuine. Part of engagement is developing sincerity in your tone and that is easiest when you are speaking about things that actually happened to you - this also does mean you should spend your life collecting experiences and memories!

Your audience does not want to be preached at - they want to be guided to the answers 💯 By reinforcing key topics via questions and group discussions, you are able to instil a sense of ownership in the audience. This key principle allows them to contribute to thier own development and gives them the support of confidence they need to feel empowered.

There are so many different ways to engage in audience throughout a speech. In particular, make sure that there is a variety of types of content that you are providing, and that the words on the screen if you were using slides are never too overwhelming. Mix in photos, videos, polls, and direct spontaneous questions to audience members in the room so they’re always prepped to be involved and stay deeply engaged.

The most practical PPT tip I share is about using reveals. Split up the content. If you have a graph with three data points, reveal each data point one slide after the next. People read faster than you can talk, so splitting up the content helps the audience stay with you, and doesn't overwhelm them with too much information.

💡Use visual aids (slides, charts, props) to highlight key points and add interest. 💡Keep visuals simple: minimal text, clear images that support your message . 💡Don't let visuals distract from your speech - they should enhance it.

Whatever you do, make sure your presentation is organic and authentic. If visual aids make your presentation more cumbersome, static, or less fluent, don't use them.

Demonstratives are only useful if they SUPPORT what your saying. Make sure they are clear of too much info or words. Keep is helpful and visual for your audience.

Force yourself to pause. Our brain tells us that our silence lasts longer than it actually does. Pausing will both emphasize your point stronger and help you avoid the pitfall of saying “um” or “uh” in between sentences.

Managing your nerves is indeed essential for projecting confidence. I enjoy public speaking, teaching residents and fellows, as well as engaging with patients and clients. For me, it’s like performing. Don’t let your nerves steal your energy and take your voice. Breathe deeply and visualize the audience enjoying your talk. Acknowledge any anxious feelings without letting them take over. Remember, some nervous energy can be positive, adding enthusiasm and dynamism to your delivery. Instead of focusing on potential criticism or blunders, just roll with it and have fun. By staying present and focused, you can channel your energy into a compelling and confident presentation. Enjoy the moment and let your passion shine through!

Take deep breaths to calm your nerves and to ensure you project your voice effectively. Also, Maintaining a positive mindset is incredibly important. Focus on positive thoughts and visualize your success. Remind yourself you know your material and the audience is there to listen and learn from you.

Nothing will save from nervousness better than breathing. Feeling anxious? Infuse yourself with good oxygen to manage nerves. Feeling overwhelmed? Continue breathing and never hold your breath. Feeling tired? What better remedy than a good amount of deep breathing before a talk to boost your energy. Practice deep breathing daily until it becomes spontaneous then before the talk. Sustain normal breathing during your talk. Your breath is your saviour.

Practicing mindfulness is a profound way to project confidence when speaking in public. Mindfulness keeps you present, focused, and calm, allowing you to handle the unexpected with grace. By being fully engaged in the moment, you can connect more deeply with your audience, read their reactions, and adjust your delivery on the fly. It helps manage anxiety, ensuring your thoughts and words are clear and deliberate. This composed presence not only enhances your performance but also reassures your audience of your confidence and authenticity.

Just be your authentic self! When we try to be something else that takes extra energy. Speak from the heart and let your light shine through and you’ll do great. In a world where most everyone is trying to be something they are not, authenticity is a very welcome attribute.

For me, if I can come into the room with genuine enthusiasm, with a smile on my face for the fun we’re all about to have, everything else falls into place. If you’re excited about your topic, and able to focus that excitement and passion to the audience, you can’t help but present the picture of confidence. Your audience will be excited to come along for the ride. Do not forget to bring your enthusiasm!