Stop Trying to Impress—Start Owning the Room: The Real Key to Public Speaking Power

Let’s get one thing straight.

If you think great public speaking is about finding the perfect words, flawless delivery, or a killer slide deck—you’re missing the real magic.

Yes, those things help. But they’re not what makes people lean forward. They’re not what gives your message gravity. And they’re definitely not what makes someone say, “I couldn’t stop listening.”

What does? Presence.

That quiet force you feel when someone walks into a room and immediately changes the atmosphere. That intangible thing that makes a speaker seem bigger, even if they’re whispering. That moment where the room quiets not because you asked for it, but because your energy demands it.

Presence is the difference between someone who’s heard… and someone who’s remembered.

Let’s break down what presence really is—and how to make it your secret weapon in public speaking.

Forget Performance. Focus on State.

We’ve been taught to perform when we speak:

• Smile more.

• Move around.

• Gesture confidently.

• Raise your voice.

The result? A lot of speakers who look the part but feel hollow.

Presence isn’t performance. It’s state.It’s the internal shift that happens when you stop proving yourself and start owning your space.

It’s the speaker who walks up, plants their feet, looks around the room with complete comfort, and simply begins. No gimmicks. No rush. No apologies.

Real Story: From Invisible to Unshakable

One of my clients, Hannah, was a head of product at a tech company. Smart. Strategic. Invisible on stage.

Her team respected her expertise, but every time she presented to execs, her voice would tighten, her delivery would speed up, and her presence would vanish. She felt like she was chasing the room’s approval.

We didn’t start with slides or scripts. We started with this question:

“What if you stopped performing and started owning your authority?”

We worked on her:

• Breath control

• Grounded stance

• Permission to slow down

At her next quarterly review, she opened with a two-second pause, met the eyes of the CFO, and said:“I’m not here to explain features. I’m here to show you what’s changing in the market—and what we need to do about it.”

She was off. And she had the room.

What Presence Looks Like in Real Life

Let’s keep this practical. Here’s what presence actually looks like on stage or in a meeting:

• You breathe before you speak—not after.

• You stand still when making key points.

• You use silence, not speed, to create impact.

• Your voice lands because your words aren’t rushing.

• You’re not afraid of looking someone in the eye and saying, “This matters.”

Presence is not being the loudest person in the room.

It’s being the most certain.

Why Most Speakers Lose the Room

Here’s what most speakers get wrong:

They rush their opening.The nerves kick in, and they launch into their talk before the audience is even ready. The result? No gravity.

They fill every space with words.Silence feels awkward—so they “um,” “uh,” and ramble through transitions. Confidence disappears in the clutter.

They fidget without realising.Shifting weight, tapping fingers, scanning the room too quickly. These signals tell the audience: “I’m not fully in control.”

Presence comes when you can hold space—not just speak into it.

Techniques to Build Magnetic Presence

Here are tools you can use immediately to shift into presence mode—on stage, in meetings, even over Zoom.

The 3-Second Rule

When you reach the front, pause. Plant your feet. Look at the audience. Count “one, two, three” in your head. Then begin.

This single pause will transform the way people perceive your authority. Try it once and feel the shift.

The Grounding Breath

Before you speak:

• Inhale for 4.

• Hold for 4.

• Exhale slowly for 6.

This activates your parasympathetic nervous system. Translation? You calm down, sound stronger, and feel more in control.

Presence Word Rehearsal

Take your opening sentence and record it:

• First, say it fast and with shallow breathing.

• Then, say it slowly, from your belly, with full intention.

Play them back. You’ll hear the difference immediately—and so will your audience.

Own the Eyes

Scan the room one person at a time—don’t do the rapid “lighthouse” movement. Let each person feel seen for a second.

Presence isn’t just about being watched. It’s about watching back.

Advanced Idea: Channel Still Power

Presence isn’t passive. It’s a form of still power—like a coiled spring or a calm captain in a storm. The energy is there, but it’s contained. Focused.

If your message is a sharp arrow, your presence is the bow that holds it steady. Without that bow? The message flails.

That’s why presence always beats performance. Performance tries to prove. Presence just is.

Want to Learn Presence Faster? Here’s How.

Most people try to build presence alone. They read tips, practise in the mirror, maybe take a presentation skills class.

But here’s the problem: you can’t feel your own energy from the inside.

That’s where communication coaching comes in.I’ll give you:

• Unfiltered feedback on what the room sees.

• Practical drills to rewire old habits.

• New ways of showing up that feel natural—not forced.

This is not about acting lessons. It’s about showing up as the strongest, clearest, most grounded version of you—every time you speak.

The Call to Action: Power Is a Posture, Not a Public Speaking Performance

You don’t need a booming voice.You don’t need to fake it till you make it.And you definitely don’t need to copy someone else’s style.

What you need is presence.Calm. Certain. Commanding.

If you’re ready to own the room without trying so hard—get in touch.Let’s build your presence from the inside out.

Because the most powerful thing you can say in public speaking is:I’m here. I mean this. Watch what happens next.