Command the Room: Public Speaking for Business Leaders

Whether you're delivering a keynote, leading a team meeting, or introducing yourself at a networking event, your ability to communicate with confidence can set the tone for your leadership. Public speaking isn’t just about sharing information—it’s about making people believe in your message, your mission, and your momentum.

This blog breaks down the essential elements every business leader needs to command the room and connect with an audience.

Mindset & Confidence

Before you ever step on stage, the real work begins in your mind. Confidence isn't about being the loudest or most polished—it's about being clear, prepared, and grounded in your purpose. Everyone starts somewhere, and the more you speak, the more you grow.

Here’s a few tips that might help you turn that panic into performance:

• Three-Breath Rule: It’s as simple as it sounds. In through the nose. Hold the breath. Out through the mouth. This concentrated breathing exercise has been shown to slow the heart rate and calm the central nervous system, resulting in less stress and anxiety.
• The Power Pose: Sometimes called the “Superman Stance,” this techniquesinvolves planting your feet and grounding yourself. Ask yourself how would a superhero stand? Head up, eyes forward, and posture on point. All of this can help a speaker feel more settled and secured, especially when paired with the three-breath rule.
• The Silent Sentence: Montana von Fliss described this confidence-building technique during a recent TED Talk. We often find ourselves indulging in negative self-talk, telling ourselves, “You shouldn’t have agreed to this,” “You’re going to mess this up,” or “They will think you’re a terrible speaker” or yada yada. Sound familiar? But Montana says we can flip the script and ask ourselves, “Why did I agree to this? What is my deeper purpose here?” Once you determine what your deeper purpose is, whether it’s to inspire or educate or just help people, knowing what that purpose is can be summarized in your Silent Sentence, which is a positive internal mantra (“I want to help my audience” to reframe nerves with purpose-driven approach. What we tell ourselves really matters and can influence how we show up, for better or worse.
• Get Excited: Think about it. Someone has asked you to share your voice. It could be in an internal staff meeting, or in front of a board room of executives. If you're asked to give remarks to an audience in a public or professional setting, that is because YOU ARE IMPORTANT. And what you say matters. Think about that when these  opportunities happen and allow yourself to get excited about the idea that people want to hear from you. Don't get nervous. Get excited.

Remember: nerves are normal. Even seasoned speakers feel them. Instead of resisting the anxiety, reframe it—those butterflies in your stomach are just energy waiting to be used.

Power of Preparation

Winging it is not a leadership strategy. Great speakers may look spontaneous, but their confidence is built on hours of planning, rehearsal, and refinement. Know your audience. Know your message. Know your “why.”

And if you’re Marshall University President Brad D. Smith, use this simple framework when writing and preparing your remarks into three parts:

• Energize: Hook them in with an interesting fact, something humorous or a personal story.
• Educate: This is your core content. What is the main information you want to make sure they take away from your presentation? Teach them something they didn’t know.
•  Empower: Leave them with a call to action. Inspire them with a strong closing that nurtures trust and mutual understanding.

Preparation also means anticipating the unexpected—tech hiccups, tough questions, time cuts. When you're well-prepared, you can pivot with poise instead of panic.

Moment-to-Moment Awareness

Being present in the moment is one of the most underrated skills in public speaking. Are you reading the room? Are people nodding along or checking their watches? Adjust accordingly.

A few tips to make sure you’re being present:

• Eye Contact: Consider “The Rule of One,” which essentially says you make eyecontact with one person at a time, no more than three seconds.
• Silence is Strength: Strategic pauses give your words more impact. Resist the urge to rush or fill the space—those gaps are often where "um" and "uh" sneak in.
• Read the Room: Pay attention to nods, smiles, and body language. Your audience is constantly giving you feedback—use it. If they’re disengaged, adjust. If they’re with you, lean in.
• Expect Disruptions, Not Perfection: Things will go wrong—slides glitch, mics cut out, someone asks a curveball question. That’s not failure; it’s the job. Great speakers don’t just prepare—they adapt in real time. Resilience isn’t optional; it’s your edge.

You’re not performing at people—you’re communicating with them. Strong speakers stay flexible, responsive, and self-aware. The more tuned-in you are to your audience and environment, the more impact you’ll have.

Body Language & Voice

You speak volumes before you say a word. Your posture, gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions all send messages. Are you open or closed? Calm or frantic? Present or distracted?

Consider this:

• Pace and Pausing: Speak slowly and deliberately. Slower speech signals confidence and gives the audience time to absorb key points. Pausing after a big statement adds weight and gives people time to reflect.
• Vocal Variety: Practice varying tone, pitch, and volume to emphasize important ideas, avoid monotony, and keep listeners engaged. Strategic Inflection: Up to build curiosity or down to signal finality or strength.
• Articulation and Breath: Speak from the diaphragm, not the throat. Breath control is essential: calm breathing = calm delivery. Enunciate crisply, especially when delivering data or calls to action. No mumbling. No rambling.

Combine that with vocal presence—tone, pitch, volume, pace—and you have a powerful toolkit. Vary your delivery to maintain interest and emphasize key points. A well-timed pause can be more powerful than a perfect sentence.

Speaker Styles & Techniques

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Some leaders inspire with high energy and humor. Others command attention with calm clarity and concise messaging. Know your natural style—but also know how to stretch it when needed.

Different situations call for different speaking styles. If you’re hoping to inspire, you’ll want to tell a story. If you’re looking to educate, you may want to showcase the data. Learn how your speaking style should be adapted for each situation.

Use techniques like storytelling, repetition for emphasis, audience engagement, and rhetorical questions. These aren’t gimmicks—they’re tools to help ideas stick and keep listeners involved.

Time Management

Respect the clock. Going over time can dilute your message and your credibility. Structure your content with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Prioritize your strongest points and know what you can cut if time runs short.

Practice with a timer, and remember: brevity is a gift to your audience. Say what needs to be said—no more, no less.

Authenticity & Connection

In the end, the best speakers aren’t perfect—they’re real. Audiences can sense authenticity. Speak from your experience, not a script you think “sounds right.” Vulnerability, when appropriate, builds trust. So does a good laugh, a sincere thank you, or a story that resonates.

Connection happens when people feel seen, heard, or inspired. You don’t need to be a performer. You just need to be a leader who communicates with clarity, empathy, and purpose. Public speaking is not a talent—it’s a skill. And like any skill, it improves with practice, reflection, and a willingness to keep learning.

The next time you step up to speak, don’t just fill the room. Command it.

Need a little extra help? Here’s a few AI tools to get you started:

What it does: AI-powered speech coach
Key features:

Learn more: orai.com

2. Yoodli

What it does: AI speech analyzer and coaching assistant
Key features:

Learn more: yoodli.ai

3. ChatGPT (and yes, I used it to help build this list of AI Tools!)

What it does: AI content generation and coaching
Key features:

Learn more: chatgpt.com

4. Presentations.AI

What it does: Smart, design-forward slide creation
Key features:

Learn more: presentations.ai

5. Descript

What it does: Video/audio editor with AI voice and screen tools
Key features:

Learn more: descript.com

6. Veed.io

What it does: Video creation with subtitles, auto-editing, and AI enhancements
Key features:

Learn more: veed.io

7. Poised

What it does: Real-time AI coach for virtual meetings
Key features:

Learn more: poised.com