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Kathryn Janicek

The Power of Breathing Techniques for Public Speaking: A Guide for Executive Leaders

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When you step into the boardroom to close a $50 million deal, pitch to investors, or rally your executive team through uncertainty, you bring your strategy, your data, and your expertise.

But are you bringing your breath?

Are you making sure the audience is comfortable with your pitch?

Breathing Is The One Public-Speaking Skill That Separates Commanding Presenters from Nervous Ones

Over 25 years of coaching Fortune 500 executives, C-suite leaders, and top physicians in public speaking and executive presence, I’ve identified a pattern that consistently distinguishes powerful communicators from those who merely get through their presentations: strategic breath control.

Not slide design. Not vocal volume. Not even the quality of their content.

The difference in effective public speaking comes down to something far more fundamental—and far more trainable.

What Happens When Executive Speakers Don’t Breathe Properly

Picture this: You’re delivering critical information to your board. The stakes are high. You’ve prepared meticulously for this public speaking moment. But somewhere between your first sentence and your conclusion, something shifts.

You start speaking faster. Your chest tightens. Words tumble out in rapid succession, one thought bleeding into the next without pause.

Here’s what your audience perceives during your presentation:

They sense urgency—but not the strategic kind. They pick up on anxiety—the kind that makes them feel anxious too. They get the message that you want to finish and move on, not that you’re confident enough to stay present with them all day if needed.

And in high-stakes leadership communication and public speaking, that perception is everything.

When you don’t catch your breath during presentations, you’re breathing from your upper chest—shallow, rapid, insufficient. You’re signaling to everyone in the room (or on the screen) that you want to get this done and over with.

That’s not executive presence or leadership communication. That’s survival mode.

The Psychology Behind Breathing Techniques in Public Speaking

The executives, medical society leaders, and Fortune 500 communicators we coach at Janicek Performance Group understand a critical truth about public speaking: making your audience comfortable is the foundation of influence.

When you rush through your presentation without breathing properly, you transfer your nervous energy directly to your stakeholders. They begin to feel your anxiety. Their stress response activates. Their attention fractures.

Conversely, when you demonstrate controlled, intentional breathing techniques during public speaking, you communicate something entirely different:

  • Confidence: You’re not racing to the finish line because you have complete command of your content and your executive presence
  • Authority: You have the executive gravitas to pause, reflect, and give weight to your words
  • Calm: Your physiological state tells them there’s no crisis here—only strategic leadership communication
  • Comfort: You’re so at ease that you could discuss this topic indefinitely, making them relax into the conversation

This is the subtle but profound difference between a presentation that informs and one that transforms. Between a pitch that’s heard and one that’s acted upon.

The Sales Impact of Strategic Breathing in Presentations

For sales executives and business development leaders, breath control in public speaking isn’t just about comfort—it’s about conversion.

When you’re presenting a solution to a multi-billion-dollar enterprise client, every micro-signal in your leadership communication matters. Your breathing pattern becomes part of your value proposition.

Strategic breathing techniques communicate:

  • You’re not desperate for this deal (even when it’s your largest prospect)
  • You have the confidence that comes from knowing your solution delivers
  • You’re a trusted advisor with executive presence, not a vendor trying to rush through talking points
  • You have the leadership skills to partner with their C-suite

The clients who invest in executive coaching and public speaking training for their sales teams see this transformation repeatedly: the same salesperson, with the same product knowledge, closes significantly larger deals once they master the fundamentals of breath control and executive presence. Learn about public speaking coaching services >

The Medical Leadership Advantage of Proper Breathing Techniques

For physicians presenting at medical conferences, leading hospital committees, or communicating complex clinical findings to patients and colleagues, breathing techniques serve an additional critical function in public speaking: they signal clinical competence.

Patients and peers alike associate calm, measured communication with expertise and sound judgment. When a physician speaks with controlled pacing and natural pauses during presentations, they reinforce the trust that’s essential to medical leadership.

Rushed, breathless delivery—even of technically accurate information—undermines credibility and creates unnecessary doubt in any public speaking scenario.

We’ve coached numerous medical society leaders and top physicians who’ve discovered that mastering breath control doesn’t just improve their presentations. It fundamentally changes how they’re perceived as clinical experts and thought leaders in public speaking.

Professional Public Speaking Coaching: The Janicek Performance Group Approach to Breath Mastery

At our Chicago-based executive coaching firm, we take a holistic approach to executive presence and public speaking training that integrates breath work with strategic messaging, body language, vocal training, and mindset coaching.

Our Emmy Award-winning public speaking coaching methodology includes:

 →Physiological foundation work: Understanding how breath impacts your nervous system and leadership presence during presentations

 →Situational breath strategies for public speaking: Different breathing techniques for investor pitches versus media interviews versus board presentations

 →Real-time feedback on presentation skills: Identifying exactly when and where you lose breath control during high-pressure communication

 →Integration practice: Ensuring breath control in public speaking becomes automatic, not something you have to think about consciously
We’ve provided executive coaching and public speaking training to over 1,000 executives from organizations including McDonald’s, UPS, and numerous Fortune 100 companies. The consistent feedback? Breath training delivers disproportionate returns on leadership communication impact. Explore executive presence coaching >

The Practical Framework: Three Breathing Techniques for Executive Communicators

If you take nothing else from this public speaking coaching article, implement these three breathing techniques in your next high-stakes presentation:

1. Catch Your Breath Between Thoughts During Presentations

This seems obvious in public speaking, yet most executives violate this principle under pressure. Create intentional pause points in your delivery where you take a complete breath. This isn’t wasted time—it’s strategic pacing that allows your message to land and your audience to process.

2. Master Diaphragmatic Breathing for Public Speaking

Upper chest breathing is shallow and visible—it broadcasts anxiety during presentations. Diaphragmatic breathing is deeper, calmer, and signals control in leadership communication. Place your hand on your abdomen. If it’s not expanding when you breathe, you’re doing it wrong.

3. Use Breathing Techniques to Create Comfort in Public Speaking

Your goal in any presentation isn’t simply to get through your material. It’s to create an environment where your audience feels safe, engaged, and receptive. Every breath should serve that larger strategic purpose in your leadership communication.

When Breath Becomes Your Competitive Advantage in Executive Communication

The executives who rise to the highest levels of leadership share a common trait in public speaking: they’ve mastered the fundamentals of executive presence so thoroughly that they become invisible advantages.

They don’t think about breathing during their board presentation any more than an elite athlete thinks about their footwork during competition. It’s integrated. Automatic. Powerful.

That’s what we build at Janicek Performance Group through executive coaching.

Whether you’re a Fortune 500 C-suite executive preparing for an earnings call, a sales leader pitching to a major enterprise client, or a physician building your national speaking platform, we provide the customized public speaking coaching that transforms your natural abilities into commanding executive presence.

Comprehensive Executive Communication Services

At Janicek Performance Group, we offer a comprehensive suite of leadership development and communication services tailored for Fortune 500 executives, medical professionals, and enterprise leaders.

Executive Presence Coaching

Develop the magnetism and authority that inspires trust and builds influence. Our executive presence coaching helps C-suite leaders command attention, project confidence, and lead with impact in every interaction. We work with executives to refine their body language, vocal delivery, strategic messaging, and overall leadership presence. Learn more >

Public Speaking Training for Executives

Master keynote presentations, conference speaking, board meetings, and all-hands communications. Our public speaking coaching goes beyond basic presentation skills to develop the commanding presence that drives action and inspires teams. We provide customized training for speeches, investor presentations, earnings calls, and high-stakes speaking engagements. Learn more >

Leadership Development Programs

Build high-performing cultures and lead teams with clarity and vision. Our leadership training helps executives at all levels develop the communication skills, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence needed to drive organizational success. Programs are customized for individual leaders or entire leadership teams. Learn more >

Media Training for C-Suite Leaders

Control your narrative and communicate with confidence in media interviews, press conferences, and crisis situations. Our Emmy Award-winning media training prepares executives for television interviews, podcast appearances, print media, and social media engagement. We provide message development, interview preparation, and on-camera coaching. Learn more >

Sales Executive Training and Coaching

Elevate sales performance through executive presence and strategic communication. Our sales leadership coaching helps business development executives close larger deals, build stronger client relationships, and present solutions with confidence and authority. We work with individual sales leaders and entire sales teams. Learn more >

Brand Management and Social Media Strategy

Build a powerful professional brand that attracts opportunities and establishes thought leadership. Our personal branding services help executives develop their LinkedIn presence, social media strategy, and overall professional image to enhance visibility and credibility. Learn more >

Video Production and Content Strategy

Create professional video content that showcases your expertise and amplifies your message. From spokesperson videos to thought leadership content, we provide full-service video production that positions executives as industry authorities. Learn more >

Training Format Options for Every Leadership Need

Individual Executive Coaching

Private, confidential one-on-one coaching sessions with Emmy Award-winning coaches, customized to your specific goals. Available virtually or in-person in Chicago. Ideal for C-suite executives, board members, and senior leaders preparing for critical communication moments.

Team Leadership Training

Half-day, full-day, or multi-day intensive workshops for leadership teams. We train up to 25 participants per session with custom curriculum designed for your organization’s specific needs and industry. Available worldwide, virtual or in-person.

Ongoing Development Programs

Six-month transformation programs with regular coaching sessions, practice opportunities, and continuous feedback. Perfect for executives committed to sustained improvement in leadership communication and executive presence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breathing Techniques and Public Speaking Coaching

How do breathing techniques improve public speaking performance?

Proper breathing techniques for public speaking directly impact your vocal quality, pacing, and perceived confidence. When you breathe correctly using diaphragmatic breathing, you project calm authority rather than anxiety. Strategic breath control allows you to pause between thoughts, giving your message time to land with your audience. This creates the executive presence that distinguishes commanding speakers from nervous presenters. Additionally, controlled breathing reduces visible signs of nervousness and helps you maintain vocal strength throughout long presentations.

What is diaphragmatic breathing and why is it important for executives?

Diaphragmatic breathing (also called belly breathing) is a technique in which you breathe deeply into your abdomen rather than shallowly into your chest. For executive communication, this breathing method is crucial because it creates a deeper, more authoritative vocal tone, reduces visible signs of stress, provides better breath support for longer sentences, and signals confidence and control to your audience. Upper chest breathing broadcasts anxiety, while diaphragmatic breathing projects leadership presence.

How long does it take to see results from public speaking coaching?

Most executives see measurable improvements in their presentation skills within the first 2-3 coaching sessions. However, developing true mastery of breathing techniques and executive presence typically requires 6-12 sessions over several months. The timeline depends on your starting skill level, the frequency of coaching sessions, and how often you practice between sessions. Our clients report immediate confidence boosts after their first session, with sustained transformation occurring through our comprehensive coaching programs.

What’s the difference between public speaking training and executive presence coaching?

Public speaking training focuses specifically on presentation delivery, vocal techniques, body language, slide design, and audience engagement for speeches and presentations. Executive presence coaching is broader and includes how you show up in all professional situations including one-on-one meetings, video calls, media interviews, and casual interactions. Executive presence encompasses your overall leadership magnetism, authority, and influence. At Janicek Performance Group, we integrate both approaches because commanding public speaking requires strong executive presence as a foundation.

Do you offer virtual executive coaching or only in-person training?

We offer both virtual executive coaching and in-person training to serve leaders worldwide. Our virtual coaching sessions are highly effective and include the same real-time feedback, personalized attention, and transformational results as in-person sessions. Many of our Fortune 500 clients prefer virtual coaching for scheduling flexibility. For team workshops and intensive training programs, we travel anywhere worldwide or deliver comprehensive virtual programs. Based in Chicago, we’re available for in-person coaching at our offices or at your location.

How do you customize public speaking coaching for different industries?

Every executive coaching engagement at Janicek Performance Group is customized to your industry, role, and specific communication challenges. For medical professionals and physicians, we focus on translating complex clinical information for diverse audiences and building thought leadership platforms. For sales executives, we emphasize closing techniques, client relationship building, and high-stakes pitch presentations. For Fortune 500 C-suite leaders, we concentrate on board communications, earnings calls, media interviews, and crisis communication. We invest time understanding your industry context before designing your coaching program.

What makes Janicek Performance Group different from other executive coaches?

Our Emmy Award-winning team brings real media experience from Chicago’s competitive broadcast market, not just coaching theory. Founder Kathryn Janicek has over 25 years of experience training executives at McDonald’s, UPS, and Fortune 100 companies. We take a holistic approach that integrates breathing techniques, vocal training, body language, strategic messaging, mindset coaching, and even executive styling when needed. Our methodology is proven with over 1,000 executives trained, and we provide ongoing support between sessions, not just one-time workshops.

Can breathing techniques really help me close bigger sales deals?

Absolutely. Strategic breathing techniques directly impact how clients perceive your confidence, authority, and trustworthiness during sales presentations. When you demonstrate controlled breathing and executive presence, prospects view you as a strategic advisor rather than a desperate vendor. Our sales executive coaching clients consistently report closing larger deals and shortening sales cycles after mastering breath control and executive communication fundamentals. The physiological calm you project through proper breathing creates psychological comfort in your prospects, making them more receptive to your solution.

How do I know if I need executive presence coaching?

Consider executive presence coaching if you experience any of these challenges: speaking too quickly during high-stakes presentations, feeling nervous before important meetings or speeches, receiving feedback that you need more “gravitas” or “leadership presence,” struggling to command attention in meetings with senior stakeholders, wanting to close bigger deals or advance to C-suite roles, or preparing for increased visibility through media interviews or conference speaking. Most successful executives invest in coaching not because they’re failing but because they want to elevate from good to exceptional.

What should I expect in my first executive coaching session?

Your first public speaking coaching session begins with a detailed assessment of your current skills, specific goals, and upcoming high-stakes communication opportunities. We’ll have you deliver a short presentation or practice your upcoming speech so we can identify exactly where you lose breath control, vocal power, or executive presence. You’ll receive immediate, actionable feedback and practice new breathing techniques with real-time coaching. Most executives leave their first session with tangible improvements they can implement immediately. We’ll also design a customized coaching plan tailored to your timeline and objectives.

Professional Executive Coaching and Public Speaking Training in Chicago and Worldwide

The difference between executives who command attention and those who simply deliver information often comes down to mastery of fundamentals like breath control in public speaking.

The question isn’t whether you have the potential to develop this level of executive presence. You absolutely do.

The question is whether you’re ready to invest in the professional coaching that unlocks it.

Ready to transform your public speaking and leadership communication skills?

We offer both individual executive coaching and team public speaking training programs, delivered virtually or in-person in Chicago and worldwide. Every engagement is customized to your specific goals and challenges in leadership development.

Schedule a confidential consultation with our team to discuss how we can help you develop the executive presence and public speaking skills that drive measurable business results.

Transform Your Executive Presence with Professional Public Speaking Coaching

Don’t let poor breathing techniques undermine your leadership communication. Contact Janicek Performance Group today to schedule your executive coaching session and master the breathing techniques that separate good presenters from commanding ones.

Call us at 312-566-8216 or email Team@TeamJPG.com to discuss your public speaking training needs.

About Janicek Performance Group: Premier Executive Coaching in Chicago

Based in Chicago and serving leaders worldwide, Janicek Performance Group is an Emmy Award-winning executive coaching firm specializing in leadership development, public speaking coaching, executive presence training, media training, and sales executive coaching. For over 25 years, we’ve helped Fortune 500 executives, medical society leaders, top physicians, and C-suite communicators develop the presence and leadership communication skills that define influential leadership.
Our public speaking training programs serve Fortune 500 companies, multi-billion dollar enterprises, medical societies, and executive teams across industries. We provide customized executive coaching that delivers measurable improvements in presentation skills, leadership communication, and executive presence.

Audience-Focused Communication: How to Answer Questions That Create Real Impact

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Why Customer-Focused Messaging Is the Key to Effective Business Communication

You know your company inside and out. You’re passionate about your work, proud of your team, and excited about what you do. But when someone asks you about your business, do your answers focus on what matters most to you or what matters most to your audience?

This distinction makes all the difference between communication that falls flat and messages that truly resonate. Audience-centered communication isn’t just a nice-to-have skill; it’s the foundation of effective business communication that drives results, builds relationships, and creates lasting impact.

Developing strong communication skills means learning to shift from self-centered messaging to customer-focused communication that addresses what your audience actually wants to hear.

1. The Fatal Flaw in Most Business Communication

The biggest mistake professionals make when answering questions about their work is focusing on themselves rather than their audience. This happens everywhere, from sales conversations to networking events to internal presentations.

Examples of self-centered versus audience-focused responses

Self-Centered:

  • Question: “What do you love about your company?”
  • Weak Answer: “We have a great time together. We love each other. The culture is amazing. We do team building activities every Friday.”

Audience-Centered:

  • Question: “What do you love about your company?”
  • Strong Answer: “I love the difference we make for our clients. Just last week, I was at a construction site where our vendor relationships and expertise helped a company scale 40% faster than they projected. We’re true partners in their success.”

The difference? The first answer focuses on internal benefits that don’t matter to the audience. The second focuses on customer outcomes and tangible value. Effective business communication always bridges to what will resonate with your specific audience.

2. Master the Art of Audience Analysis for Better Communication

Before you can deliver audience-focused communication, you need to understand who you’re talking to and what they care about. This audience analysis is crucial for developing customer-focused messaging that actually works.

How to analyze your audience for more effective communication skills

For Customers and Prospects:

  • They want to know: “What will this do for me? How will this help my business? What problems will you solve?”
  • Focus on: Outcomes, results, partnerships, expertise, and competitive advantages
  • Use language about: Impact, results, scaling, efficiency, and value creation

For Employees and Associates:

  • They want to know: “What’s it like to work here? How will you treat me? What’s the culture like?”
  • Focus on: Work-life balance, support systems, growth opportunities, and team dynamics
  • Use language about: Flexibility, support, family-friendly policies, and career development

For Stakeholders and Investors:

  • They want to know: “What’s your track record? How do you manage risk? What’s your growth strategy?”
  • Focus on: Performance metrics, strategic advantages, market position, and financial stability
  • Use language about: ROI, market share, competitive positioning, and sustainable growth

3. The “What’s In It For Me” (WIIFM) Principle

Every person listening to your communication has one fundamental question running through their mind: “What’s in it for me?” Audience-centered communication acknowledges this reality and addresses it directly.

How to apply the WIIFM principle to your business communication

Connect Your Passion to Their Needs: Instead of just sharing what excites you, connect your enthusiasm to their specific interests. For example:

  • Internal passion: “I love our innovative technology.”
  • Audience-focused version: “I love how our innovative technology helps companies like yours reduce processing time by 60%.”

Use Concrete Examples: Vague statements don’t create impact. Specific examples do. According to research oneffective audience engagement, concrete examples and supportive statements keep communication clear and effective.

  • Weak: “We provide great service.”
  • Strong: “Last month, when our client had a critical deadline, our 24/7 support team worked through the weekend to ensure their launch went perfectly.”

Bridge to Outcomes: Always connect your capabilities to customer outcomes. This is the essence of customer-focused messaging.

4. Adapt Your Communication Style to Different Contexts

Effective business communication requires flexibility. The same core message needs to be adapted based on your audience and context. This adaptability is a hallmark of advanced communication skills.

Sales and Business Development Context:

  • Focus on: Customer success stories, competitive advantages, ROI, and partnership benefits
  • Example: “What I love most is seeing businesses transform. We just helped a manufacturing company streamline their supply chain, which reduced their costs by 25% and improved delivery times.”

Recruitment and Internal Context:

  • Focus on: Company culture, employee support, growth opportunities, and work-life balance
  • Example: “What I love is how we support our people. If someone needs to take their kid to practice or handle a family situation, no one bats an eye. We trust our team to get results, and they do.”

Industry and Networking Context:

  • Focus on: Industry expertise, thought leadership, innovation, and market insights
  • Example: “What excites me is how we’re solving industry-wide challenges. Our approach to [specific issue] is helping companies across the sector improve efficiency.”

5. Practice Audience-Focused Responses to Common Questions

The best way to develop audience-centered communication is to practice adapting your responses to common questions. Here are frameworks for key scenarios:

“Tell me about your company”:

  • Weak: Focus on history, size, or internal metrics
  • Strong: Focus on customer problems you solve and the outcomes you deliver

“What makes you different?”:

  • Weak: List features or capabilities
  • Strong: Explain unique customer benefits and competitive advantages

“Why should I work with you?”:

  • Weak: Talk about your qualifications or experience
  • Strong: Connect your expertise to their specific needs and desired outcomes

Successful leaders must be respectful, curious and open when communicating. This means truly listening to what your audience needs and adapting your message accordingly.

Transform Your Impact Through Audience-Centered Communication

The most successful professionals understand that effective business communication isn’t about showcasing everything they know or love about their work. It’s about connecting their expertise and passion to what matters most to their audience.

When you master customer-focused messaging and audience-centered communication, you don’t just share information; you create connections, build trust, and drive action. Your responses become more compelling because they address the fundamental question every audience member has: “What’s in it for me?”

Remember, your passion and expertise are valuable, but they become powerful when you connect them to your audience’s needs, challenges, and desired outcomes. This is the difference between good communication and communication that creates real business impact.

Ready to master audience-focused communication that drives results?

We’re here to help you develop powerful business communication skills at JPG!

Learn How to Become an Expert Source That Media Call First

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When Inside Edition Needed an Expert, They Called Our Client First

No Google search. No cold calls. Just one direct line to the authority they needed.

When Inside Edition faced a deadline to cover a breaking study on long-distance runners and colon cancer risk—timed perfectly with the New York City Marathon—they didn’t waste time searching. They called our client, Dr. Lynn O’Connor. Dr. O’Connor the Director of Colon and Rectal Surgery of New York, and Chief of the Colon and Rectal Surgery Division at Mercy Medical Center & St. Joseph Hospitals. She’s also the New York Police Department’s colorectal surgeon.

She delivered exactly what the national media demands: authority, clarity, and camera-ready confidence.

This wasn’t luck. This was strategic positioning.

At JPG, we partner with five leading medical associations for their media and public speaking training and coach hundreds of physicians from premier institutions, including Yale, Harvard, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, and University at Buffalo Neurosurgery. Together, we develop the executive presence that establishes them as the go-to experts in their fields.

Your Leadership Team Needs Visibility with the Media

In today’s media landscape, your executives aren’t just running companies—they’re managing reputations, influencing markets, and shaping industry narratives. 

When a crisis hits or an opportunity knocks, the leaders who command attention drive competitive advantage.

Consider the cost of invisibility: While your competitors’ CEOs are quoted in The Wall Street Journal, featured on CNBC, and keynoting at industry summits, where are your leaders?

Executive presence isn’t a soft skill. It’s a revenue driver.

Leaders with commanding presence:

  • Secure higher valuations during M&A negotiations
  • Attract top-tier talent in competitive markets
  • Navigate crisis communications that protect shareholder value
  • Position their organizations as industry innovators
  • Build stakeholder confidence that translates to sustained growth

How Leaders Build Executive Presence and Become Go-to Media Experts

Founded by three-time Emmy Award winner Kathryn Janicek, with 20+ years experience inside newsrooms and boardrooms, Janicek Performance Group doesn’t offer generic leadership training. 

We engineer competitive advantage through five strategic pillars:

1. Communication Mastery That Moves Markets

Your executives will master the art of distilling complex strategy into compelling narratives that resonate with investors, boards, and media. Whether addressing shareholders during volatility or representing your brand on Bloomberg, they’ll communicate with precision and power.

2. Nonverbal Authority That Commands Respect

Body language accounts for 55% of your message. We refine every element—posture, gestures, eye contact, spatial presence—so your leaders project confidence before they speak. This is how executives earn trust in high-stakes negotiations and boardroom presentations.

3. Strategic Brand Architecture

Your C-suite’s personal brands are extensions of your corporate brand. We align how your leaders present themselves—in keynotes, on LinkedIn, in media appearances—with your organizational objectives. Authenticity meets strategy.

4. Crisis-Tested Composure

When analysts challenge your guidance, when reporters press for answers, when stakeholders demand accountability—your leaders will maintain authority. We simulate hostile environments so your team masters composure when it matters most.

5. Media Relationships That Generate Opportunity

Here’s what sets us apart: Our insider access to how journalists, producers, and editors think. We don’t just prepare your leaders for media opportunities—we strategically position them as the first-call experts when breaking news demands authoritative voices.

The JPG Advantage: Personalized Coaching That Delivers Measurable Impact

This isn’t off-the-shelf leadership development.

Every engagement is tailored to your organization’s specific challenges, your leaders’ areas for growth, and your strategic objectives. 

Our clients’ experience:

  • Mock crisis simulations mirroring your industry’s highest-pressure scenarios
  • Media training that prepares leaders for 60 Minutes, CNBC, and industry-specific publications
  • Real-time feedback with immediate application to upcoming presentations, earnings calls, and public appearances
  • Long-term development that compounds: skills that drive revenue today and build legacy tomorrow

What Dr. O’Connor’s Success Means for Your Leadership Team

“When I am on set, whether television or radio, I know I’m prepared because she prepared me! I know I’m in good hands.” — Dr. Lynn O’Connor

Dr. O’Connor didn’t become Inside Edition’s first call by accident. She earned that position through strategic preparation that positioned her as the undeniable authority.

Your executives deserve the same advantage.

Stop Leaving Leadership Presence to Chance

While your competitors invest in executive coaching that transforms their leaders into industry voices, what’s your strategy?

The leaders who command rooms, control narratives, and drive stakeholder confidence don’t wait for opportunities—they engineer them.

At Janicek Performance Group, we’ve spent two decades understanding what separates good leaders from unforgettable ones. 

Now we’re ready to transform your executive team into the authoritative voices your industry turns to first.

Your competitors are already investing in this. Are you?

At Janicek Performance Group, we specialize in training leaders to accelerate growth, command attention, and drive innovation through impactful communication. If you’re ready to transform from expert to influential leader, refine your presence, project confidence, and take control of your message, reach out today to learn how we can help.

Master Your Stage Presence: The Executive’s Guide to Powerful Public Speaking

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Every executive faces that pivotal moment: walking onto a stage with hundreds of eyes watching, waiting, judging. Your company’s reputation rides on the next sixty seconds. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Yet most executives step into the spotlight woefully unprepared. They fumble with microphones like they’ve never seen one before. Their eyes dart nervously around the room. Their introduction rambles through irrelevant credentials that leave audiences confused about why they should even listen.

The difference between executives who command attention and those who lose it isn’t talent. It’s preparation.

Here are three essential steps that separate magnetic speakers from forgettable ones.

1. Master Your Microphone Before You Speak a Word

Nothing signals amateur status faster than wrestling with audio equipment on stage. The microphone isn’t just a tool—it’s an extension of your executive presence.

Arrive Early, Test Everything

Professional speakers don’t show up five minutes before showtime. They treat audio preparation like any critical business meeting.

  • For major events: Arrive the day before to run full dress rehearsals. Fortune 500 companies we work with routinely send executives days in advance.
  • For keynotes or panels: Arrive at least one hour early if you’re the first speaker. This gives you time to test audio, adjust to the space, and settle your nerves.
  • For all speaking engagements: Request a sound check. Simply say, ‘Check, check, check one. Check, check. Sibilance, sibilance.’ That’s all you need.

Know Your Microphone Type

Lavalier microphones:

Clip these six to eight inches below your chin—never on your collar. Collar placement picks up every rustle of fabric as you move, creating distracting noise that undermines your message.

Handheld microphones:

Hold them exactly two fist widths from your mouth. Not pressed against your lips. Not waving around like a conductor’s baton. Steady, consistent, professional. This takes practice—schedule time specifically to rehearse your microphone technique.

2. Command Attention Through Strategic Eye Contact

Your eyes communicate more than your words ever will. They signal confidence or confusion, connection or detachment, authority or uncertainty.

Panel Discussion Strategy

When you’re not speaking, your attention matters just as much as your words.

  • Focus on the moderator when they’re asking questions. This shows respect and helps you stay engaged with the discussion flow.
  • Look at fellow panelists when they’re answering. Occasionally sweep your gaze across the audience to maintain connection.
  • When it’s your turn, shift your primary attention to the audience. They came to hear you, not watch you have a conversation with the moderator. Glance at the moderator occasionally, but keep your focus on the people who matter most.

Keynote Presentation Technique

Choose three spots in your audience: left side, center, and right side. This isn’t about vaguely scanning the room—it’s about genuine connection.

Make a point while looking at one section. Hold that gaze. Connect with specific individuals, looking directly into their eyes. Then transition to your next point and shift to a different section. This deliberate pattern ensures everyone in the room feels your presence.

The Fatal Slide Mistake

Never turn your back to the audience to read your slides. This single habit destroys more executive presentations than any other mistake.

If you’re glancing at the screen every few seconds, you’re telling your audience that you don’t know your material well enough to deliver it confidently. Prepare thoroughly. Know your content so well that you can maintain genuine eye contact throughout. You can gesture toward the screen occasionally, but always return to face your audience. They came to see you, not the back of your head.

3. Control Your Introduction to Position Your Authority

Most executives make a critical error: they let someone else write their introduction. The result? Rambling credentials that bore the audience and waste precious seconds establishing why anyone should care.

Write It Yourself

Event organizers mean well, but they don’t understand your audience like you do. Take control by writing your own introduction and sending it to them in advance. You’ll prevent confusion, demonstrate professionalism, and ensure your credentials resonate with this specific audience.

The Three-Part Formula

Your introduction should accomplish exactly three things:

  • State your current title and company. This establishes your current position and organizational context.
  • Add one impressive credential that builds trust. Choose the single credential this audience will find most compelling. Not your entire resume—just the one thing that matters most to these specific people.
  • Include one specific result that demonstrates your expertise. Numbers work best. Concrete achievements beat vague descriptions every time.

Example Introduction

“Jane Smith is the Chief Technology Officer at 123ABC Company, where she led the team that increased operational efficiencies and boosted revenue by 40%. She previously served as a technical advisor to three Fortune 100 companies.”

That’s it. No exhaustive list of every award you’ve ever won. No meandering through your entire career history. Tight, relevant, impressive. The audience now knows exactly why they should pay attention to you.

Transform Your Executive Presence Starting Today

These three strategies—mastering your microphone, controlling your eye contact, and crafting your introduction—separate executives who command stages from those who merely survive them.

The difference isn’t natural talent. It’s deliberate preparation. Top executives don’t wing their presentations any more than they’d wing a board meeting or investor pitch.

Start implementing these techniques immediately. Test your audio early. Practice your eye contact patterns. Write your introduction today. Your next speaking engagement is your opportunity to demonstrate the executive presence your company deserves.

Ready to Elevate Your Leadership Communication?

At Janicek Performance Group, we transform capable executives into influential leaders who command attention and drive results through powerful communication.

Our specialized training programs help you:

  • Accelerate organizational growth through impactful leadership presence
  • Command attention in any speaking situation, from boardrooms to conference stages
  • Project confidence and authority that matches your expertise
  • Drive innovation by communicating your vision with clarity and conviction

Contact us today to discover how we can help you transform from expert to influential leader.

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Why High-Performing Executives Can’t Afford to Skip Self-Care: Your Leadership Depends on It

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The Executive Paradox: Why Leaders Struggle with Self-Care

As an executive coach, I’ve witnessed a troubling pattern among C-suite leaders and senior executives: the very traits that drive exceptional short-term business performance (relentless focus, putting others first, and pushing through challenges) often become barriers to long-term leadership effectiveness and personal well-being.

Research from the Mayo Clinic reveals that 51.3% of executives report high stress levels. Okay, raise your hand if you were studied and didn’t admit to experiencing high stress. I’ve been there. You think, “this isn’t high stress… this is just work. I love my work. I don’t need anything else…” and then you’re in the hospital getting MRIs because you can’t stand up without getting dizzy, and doctors think you had a stroke (and you end up being diagnosed with vertigo).

This isn’t just a personal problem, it’s a business imperative that directly impacts decision-making quality, team performance, and organizational culture. 

In other words, listen closely: it’s impacting your leadership.

The Oxygen Mask Principle for Executive Leadership

Every frequent flyer knows the airline safety instruction: “Put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others.” This principle is perhaps nowhere more critical than in executive leadership. I stand on stages all over North America and talk about this. I explain that this isn’t just for mothers. It’s for ALL leaders. Yet most leaders I work with struggle with this concept, viewing self-care as selfish or secondary to their responsibilities.

The reality: When executives neglect their physical health, mental clarity, and emotional well-being, they compromise their ability to lead effectively. 

You cannot pour from an empty cup, and attempting to do so inevitably leads to:

  • Decreased decision-making quality under chronic stress
  • Reduced emotional intelligence and team communication
  • Higher risk of executive burnout and costly leadership turnover
  • Negative modeling for organizational culture and employee well-being

Data shows that 63% of Fortune 500 boards now formally assess executive health metrics, highlighting how critical executive wellness has become to organizational success.

The Hidden Cost of Executive Neglect

High-achieving executives often operate under the dangerous misconception that self-care is a luxury they can’t afford. The data tells a different story:

When you’re not in the right mindset or not feeling well physically, you’re not just failing yourself, you’re limiting your effectiveness for your team, stakeholders, and organization.

The Executive Presence Connection: How Self-Care Impacts Your Professional Image

Your self-care practices have a direct impact on how others perceive your leadership capabilities.

Physical Vitality as Leadership Currency

  • Proper hydration keeps your skin looking healthy and vibrant — crucial when you’re the face of your organization.
  • Quality sleep prevents the tired, worn-down appearance that undermines executive presence.
  • Balanced nutrition helps maintain steady energy levels, preventing the afternoon crashes that can affect your speaking voice and mental sharpness.

Smart executives know that what you do before high-stakes moments matter.

  • Avoid over-caffeinating before important presentations — it creates jittery energy that your audience can sense.
  • Get 7+ hours of sleep before board meetings to ensure clear thinking and confident delivery.
  • Stay hydrated throughout the day to maintain vocal clarity and prevent dry mouth, a common issue that affects public speaking.

The Compound Effect: When you consistently practice self-care, you develop what I call “executive magnetism” — that hard-to-define quality where people naturally want to follow your lead. It’s not just about what you say; it’s about the energy and presence you bring to every interaction.

Essential Self-Care Strategies for Executive Performance

Executive Stress Management Through Movement

Physical exercise isn’t just about fitness; it’s cognitive performance enhancement. 

Regular exercise:

Even 20 minutes of morning movement can significantly impact your leadership presence throughout the day.

Mindfulness and Mental Clarity for Leaders

Meditation and mindfulness practices aren’t new-age concepts — they’re performance tools used by top executives worldwide. 

Regular practice enhances:

  • Focus and attention management
  • Emotional regulation during high-stakes situations
  • Creative problem-solving capabilities

Strategic Relationship Investment

Time with family and trusted friends isn’t separate from your professional success — it’s foundational to it. 

Strong personal relationships provide:

  • Emotional support during challenging periods
  • Perspective and balance that enhances decision-making
  • Energy renewal that sustains long-term performance

Implementing Executive Self-Care: A Strategic Approach

Start with Non-Negotiables

Identify 2-3 self-care practices that you commit to regardless of business demands:

  • Daily 10-minute meditation or breathing exercises
  • Weekly one-on-one time with family members
  • Consistent sleep schedule (7+ hours nightly)

Build Systems, Not Just Habits

Create structural support for your well-being:

  • Calendar blocking for self-care activities
  • Accountability partnerships with other executives or coaches
  • Regular executive coaching sessions focused on sustainable performance

Measure What Matters

Track metrics that matter for executive well-being:

  • Energy levels throughout the week
  • Decision-making quality indicators
  • Stress management effectiveness
  • Team and family relationship quality

The ROI of Executive Self-Care

Self-care for executives isn’t about work-life balance—it’s about sustainable high performance. When you prioritize your physical health, mental clarity, and emotional well-being, you’re making a strategic investment in:

  • Enhanced leadership presence and decision-making capabilities
  • Increased resilience during market volatility and organizational challenges
  • Better team performance through positive modeling and clear communication
  • Long-term career sustainability and personal fulfillment

Your Next Steps: From Insight to Action

  1. Assess honestly: Where are you currently compromising your well-being for short-term business demands?
  2. Choose strategically: Select 1-2 self-care practices that align with your leadership goals and schedule
  3. Implement systematically: Build structural support and accountability for consistent practice
  4. Evaluate regularly: Track the impact on your leadership effectiveness and adjust accordingly

Remember: Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it’s an essential leadership strategy. Your team, organization, and family need you at your best, and that requires putting your own oxygen mask on first.

At Janicek Performance Group, we specialize in training leaders to accelerate growth, command attention, and drive innovation through impactful communication. If you’re ready to transform from expert to influential leader, refine your presence, project confidence, and take control of your message, reach out today to learn how we can help.

What Diet Coke Teaches Us About Leadership Presence

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How Small Habits Can Undermine Your Confidence and Influence Without You Realizing It

As I’ve reflected on this year, one theme keeps surfacing: our work goes far beyond public speaking, messaging, or media training.

At JPG, we transform experts into magnetic, inspirational leaders.

We work with highly technical people — engineers, scientists, and executives — who are becoming the faces and voices of their organizations. Our goal is to help them be seen, heard, and trusted.

The Leadership Lesson Hidden in a Soda Can

Have you ever watched a speaker close their eyes too much when presenting? Or someone whose voice shakes when they address a team? What about constantly clearing their throat? These are coachable behaviors — and we fix them.

In over a decade of coaching high-performing individuals, I see a lot of patterns. Easy changes that could elevate someone’s career quickly. There’s one that I haven’t addressed here – and it’s important. Don’t come for me… I know how many people love their Diet Coke!

This is something that keeps coming up, and the transformation blows me away. I’ve had a few presidents of organizations who constantly cleared their throats when they spoke.

The transformation always starts the same way: I’m prepping them for a big speech, town hall, any high-stakes meeting – and they can’t get through the talk without constantly clearing their throat.

After the first run through, I’ll ask, “What do you drink all day?” And it keeps coming up. They’ll say, Diet Coke all day, no water.” 

First Case Study: Company President

I’ve even had the heads of Comms or Marketing at organizations ask me not to bring up the Diet Coke issue.

“He’ll never give it up.”

And then, 30 minutes into the speech, the team is shrugging their shoulders because they know how distracting the throat clearing is.

They’re so afraid of telling the guy not to drink Diet Coke anymore.

So I do. I gently bring up the issue. In this case, I explained what it was doing to him and suggested he just try to do 50/50 Diet Coke and water for a few weeks to see what happens.

Six months later, when he gave his speech, he didn’t clear his throat. He thanked me privately on LinkedIn.

“Thank you. Nobody told me this.”

Second Case Study: Three-Day Intensive

This just happened again a few weeks ago. A guy got up in Day #1 in our three-day intensive communications training we do for larger companies and cleared his throat the entire time.

Day #2, I called it out.

“Tell me, what do you drink? What do you like to drink all day?”

He had his can right there.

“Diet Coke.”

I asked him to see what would happen if he didn’t drink it. I wasn’t forceful; it was just a suggestion.

Day #3, he got up, delivered his speech, and there was a big applause at the end. He SOUNDED like THE EXPERT. He was confident. He evoked confidence from the audience.

I asked him, “What happened? What changed? You didn’t clear your throat. There were no distractions.”

And he looked down sheepishly and said, “I haven’t had a Diet Coke in 24 hours since yesterday morning. I heard you, and I wanted to try it. I didn’t believe it, but I wanted to try it.”

He was not clearing his throat. He wasn’t dehydrated. He, he wasn’t looking for that fluid. His throat was great. He drank water, green tea, and whatever else.

Why This Matters for Every Leader

This isn’t about Diet Coke — it’s about awareness.

These kinds of transformations occur when we tweak someone’s food, liquids, sleep, movement, or supplements. 

Leadership isn’t only about what you say; it’s about how you show up. The smallest daily habits can impact how your team perceives your confidence, energy, and authenticity.

When you optimize your body and voice, you amplify your influence.

When you eliminate distractions — physical, vocal, or emotional — you create space for your message to land.

That’s why our approach at JPG is holistic. We don’t just refine speeches; we strengthen the entire communicator. From hydration to posture to mindset, everything affects how powerfully you connect with an audience.

Ready to Optimize Your Leadership Presence?

Take a moment today to look at what’s not optimizing you as a leader.

It might not be soda — it could be a habit, a mindset, or a blind spot that’s holding you back from being fully magnetic.

At JPG, we help leaders transform these subtle patterns into strengths that elevate every room they walk into.

Because the most influential leaders aren’t just polished — they’re fully present.

Contact JPG today for a strategic consultation.

Don’t Look Down: Eye Contact Tips That Transform Your Public Speaking Impact

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Why Looking Down Is Killing Your Connection and Credibility

You’ve prepared your content. You know your material inside and out. You walk onto the stage with purpose. But then, almost unconsciously, your eyes drift downward—to your notes, to the floor, anywhere but to the faces in front of you.

This single habit undermines everything you’ve worked to build as a speaker and leader. Looking down doesn’t just disconnect you from your audience; it signals uncertainty, nervousness, and lack of confidence—even when you feel none of those things inside.

The good news? Eye contact is a skill that can be learned and mastered. Developing strong presentation skills includes learning techniques that help even the most nervous speakers maintain a confident visual connection with their audience.

1. Understand Why We Default to Looking Down

Before you can fix the habit, you need to understand why it happens. Looking down during presentations is almost universal, and it stems from very human psychological responses.

Here are the most common reasons speakers look down.

  • Notes Dependency: Many speakers become overly reliant on their notes or slides, creating a cycle where they look down to check their material, lose connection with the audience, feel less confident, and look down even more frequently.

  • Anxiety Response: When we feel nervous or uncertain, our natural instinct is to avoid eye contact. Looking down feels safer and less exposing than meeting the gaze of audience members who might be judging our performance or when we feel like we’re being judged.

  • Camera Consciousness: In our increasingly digital world, many speakers are aware of being recorded and instinctively look down to avoid the intimidating presence of camera equipment.

  • Perfectionism: Speakers who are worried about making mistakes often look down to double-check their notes, inadvertently prioritizing perfect delivery over audience connection.

The problem is that looking down creates a negative feedback loop—the less you connect with your audience, the more nervous you feel, which makes you look down even more.

2. Master the Foundation: Keep Your Chin Up

The most fundamental change you can make to improve your eye contact is simply keeping your head up. This isn’t just about where your eyes go—it’s about your entire head position and how it affects your presence.

Here’s how to establish strong head positioning.

  • Find Your Neutral Position: Your head should sit naturally on your shoulders with your chin parallel to the floor. Avoid tilting your head down even slightly, as this immediately breaks the visual connection with your audience.

  • Practice the “Chin Check”: Before you begin speaking, consciously check your head position. Your chin should feel lifted but not artificially raised. This position allows for natural eye contact without strain.

  • Understand the Visual Impact: When you keep your head up, you project confidence and authority. When you look down, even briefly, you signal uncertainty and disengagement to your audience.

3. The Wall Technique: A Practical Solution for Eye Contact Anxiety

If direct eye contact with audience members makes you nervous, there’s a simple technique that can help you maintain confident head positioning while you build your comfort level.

Here’s how to use the wall technique effectively.

  • Choose Strategic Focal Points: Before you begin speaking, identify three to four spots on the back wall of the room—one center, one left, one right, and perhaps one slightly higher. Avoid choosing the clock (it makes you think about time) or anything that might distract you.

  • Rotate Your Focus: Rather than staring at one spot, slowly rotate your focus between these points throughout your presentation. This creates the illusion of eye contact with different sections of your audience while keeping your head up and confident.

  • Pick Neutral Objects: Choose spots like exit signs, architectural features, or small decorations—things that won’t draw your attention away from your message or make you self-conscious.

Successful leaders must maintain composure under pressure — be the calmest person in the room. Using the wall technique helps you project that calm confidence while you develop more advanced eye contact skills.

4. Graduate to Real Eye Contact

The wall technique is a stepping stone, not a permanent solution. Once you’re comfortable keeping your head up and maintaining the illusion of eye contact, you can begin making real connections with your audience.

Here’s how to transition to authentic eye contact.

  • Start with Friendly Faces: Begin by making eye contact with audience members who appear engaged and supportive. Nodding faces and smiling expressions give you confidence to continue connecting.

  • Use the “Lighthouse” Method: Instead of darting your eyes around the room, focus on one person for a complete thought or sentence (about 3-5 seconds), then smoothly move to another person in a different section of the room.

  • Don’t Forget the Middle: Many speakers only look at the front rows or the back of the room. Make sure to include people in the middle sections—they’re part of your audience too. And… if your presentation is being recorded or livestreamed, the camera is often in the middle of the room.

  • Build Confidence Through Practice: The more you practice making eye contact in lower-stakes situations—team meetings, one-on-one conversations, small group presentations—the more natural it becomes on bigger stages.

5. Handle the Camera Challenge

In today’s world, many presentations are recorded or livestreamed, which adds another layer of complexity to eye contact. 

Here’s how to manage both live audiences and cameras.

  • Acknowledge the Camera Strategically: If you’re being recorded, occasionally look directly into the camera lens (not at the camera operator) to connect with your virtual audience. Treat the camera like another friendly face in the room.

  • Don’t Let Equipment Distract You: Camera equipment can be intimidating, but remember that your primary connection should be with the people in the room. Use the camera as an occasional focal point, not your primary focus.

Practice Camera Eye Contact: If you frequently present on camera, practice looking directly into camera lenses during rehearsals. This builds comfort and helps you maintain natural head positioning even when being recorded.

Keep Your Head Up: Transform Your Speaking Impact Through Confident Eye Contact

Looking down is one of the most common habits that undermines speaker credibility, but it’s also one of the easiest to fix with conscious practice. Whether you start with the wall technique or jump straight into audience eye contact, the key is keeping your head up and maintaining visual connection with your room.

Remember, your audience wants you to succeed. They’re not waiting for you to make mistakes—they’re hoping to be inspired, informed, or entertained by what you have to share. When you keep your head up and make that visual connection, you invite them into your message rather than shutting them out.

The difference between a speaker who looks down and one who maintains confident eye contact isn’t just technical—it’s the difference between someone who appears to be talking at their audience and someone who’s genuinely connecting with them.

Ready to transform your presentations through confident eye contact?

We’re here to help you master every aspect of powerful public speaking at JPG!

How to Recover Quickly from Mistakes in Your Speech

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Techniques to Help You Regain Control After a Mistake 

We’ve all done it. We’ve messed up. Misspoke. Quoted something incorrectly. Gotten tongue-tied. Pronounced a word wrong. We’ve all made mistakes during a presentation. But have we all recovered with grace? 

Messing up is natural. Recovery? Not so much.

At JPG, we first coach our clients to be as prepared as possible to minimize the chance of mistakes. Not just preparing our content, data points, and slide decks, but also our mental state. Prior to a speaking engagement, we recommend these top five tips to channel nervous energy and eliminate as many mistakes as possible.

How to Regain Confidence and Stay Calm on Stage

Engage in Physical Activity

Whether it’s first thing in the morning or just some time before your talk, getting the nervous energy out of your body (preferably in a way you genuinely enjoy) is the biggest answer to entering into your presentation with a calm, confident attitude

Do a ritual that boosts your confidence 

Multiple studies have shown that a two-minute “power pose” can boost confidence and therefore boost performance. Whether it’s standing like you have a cape billowing behind you in the wind, reciting powerful song lyrics, or simply meditating — the rituals work. 

Don’t try to eliminate nerves entirely

This seems counterproductive, but if we hyperfocus on not being nervous at all, that will only lead us to failure. Instead of fighting nerves, reframe them as excitement. 

Take care of yourself

This goes beyond the physical activity in the first tip. Making sure that you’re getting an adequate amount of sleep at night (at least 7-8 hours before a presentation day) as well as eating balanced meals go a long way for mental and physical health, which directly impact your performance. 

 

And, finally.

Perfect your deep breathing

Studies show that breathing from your belly lowers your heart rate and your cortisol levels, giving you a better sense of control.

It’s tip No. 5 that takes us from preparation to delivery and is helpful in both instances. 

How to pause and breathe to overcome and prevent speaking mistakes

Sometimes mistakes are easy to correct and we can say a simple “Excuse me [insert correct word or phrase here]” and move on. Bigger blunders require a bit more finesse. 

For instance, if we see that a slide hasn’t been updated with the latest numbers or we went off on an unscripted anecdote and have lost our place — these mistakes have the potential to derail the entire presentation and that’s what we want to avoid. 

In this situation we pause, we breathe, and we move on. Here’s how:

  1. Use the natural break. If you’re in the middle of a sentence when you realize something isn’t right, finish your thought first and end the sentence.
  2. Close your mouth. This is important for two reasons. First, it prevents you from sneaking a filler word or sound into your talk. Second, it lets you breathe correctly.
  3. Belly and nose breathe. In through the nose, feeling your belly expand. This does not need to be an exaggerated motion. A discreet breath will calm you down and let you either move on to the next point or make a necessary correction with poise. 

Sometimes we get pushback from clients who say that it feels awkward to pause and breathe.

Remember: The time it takes to do this feels so much longer in your head than it actually is to your audience. 

They’ll have no idea that you’re regulating your nervous system. They’ll just be anticipating the next thing you say. 

Master the Art of Pausing on Stage 

Of course we all want to deliver a seamless and perfect presentation, but sometimes nature has other plans. And that’s okay! At JPG, we prepare you for the “human moments” by teaching you how to do the most basic human function — taking a breath — with purpose and ease.

The Most Magnetic Non-Verbal During a Presentation: Your Smile

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How Showing Emotions (Especially the Good Ones) Will Draw Your Audience In When You’re Speaking

Women hear it our whole lives: “Smile more!” “You look so pretty when you smile!” And while these comments are most often unwelcome, in the context of public speaking, they’re not totally wrong (and they don’t just apply to women). 

At JPG, we teach our clients that more than 80% of effective communication comes from our nonverbals — namely, our body language and facial expressions. This greatly impacts our credibility, influence, and perception. 

Your Facial Expressions, Vocal Tone, and Words Should Match

We know that the three pillars of effective communication are: 

  • words and messaging, 
  • vocal tone and inflection, and
  • body language and presence. 

We want each pillar to work together when we’re delivering a presentation or talk — not just to a group of people but one-on-one as well. 

More often than not, executives have no problem when the message is serious or stern. It’s when they are delivering good news (or even neutral news) that the pillars misalign. We see this time and time again, especially with our male executives. 

“We hit our profit goals for the quarter!” 

“We just ranked number one in our market!” 

“We’ve had a breakthrough in our research!”

Messages like these should be delivered enthusiastically with a bright vocal tone and a warm smile to match. Even a “I’m happy to be here” should convey with non-verbals that you are actually happy to be there.

It may seem silly, but if your tone and facial expressions don’t match your words — it ends up undermining your credibility. If you’re monotone when you should sound excited, if your face is neutral or even stern when you should be smiling, it gives the impression that you don’t genuinely believe in the message that you’re delivering. 

And that? That leads to distrust, which is the last thing we want as leaders. 

A Smile Draws People In

While mastering effective communication is paramount, a smile has other benefits, too. Companies often will bring JPG in to coach their executive team to make them more “magnetic.” Their leaders know their stuff, but they’re not bringing much of a presence to the company, which means employees are less likely to buy into what they have to say. 

A warm smile can have a large impact both in the boardroom and on a stage.

  1. It brightens the mood. Unless the meeting is on a somber or serious topic, you WANT the mood to be light. You want people to want to be there because they’ll be more likely to listen to what you have to say. 
  2. It attracts people to you. You don’t need to have over-the-top charisma, but you do need to have a personal appeal if you want people to follow and, more importantly, stick around.
  3. It makes you look confident. Again, when your words, tone, and face all align, especially for a positive message, it portrays you as the confident leader you are and imbues the audience with trust in you. 

Master the Art of the Smile 

There’s a lot more to non-verbal communication than just smiling, but that’s a great place to start. Making sure your audience — whether it’s your employees, your board, or your peers — trust you and listen to you is the top priority when you’re presenting.

At JPG, we give you a safe place to practice this skill so that you can give the impression that matches your intention.