The Secret to Powerful Presence: It’s Not What You Say, It’s How You Show Up

There’s a common misconception in the world of public speaking: that words carry the power. That if you get your speech “right” enough—crammed full of punchy lines and clever rhetoric—you’ll automatically inspire, persuade, and lead.

But the truth?

What sets the most compelling speakers apart isn’t what they say—it’s how they show up.

Presence—your energy, poise, and authority in the room—is the intangible magnet that makes people lean in. It’s that calm, grounded confidence that speaks before you do. And whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned speaker, developing powerful presence can be the single most transformative shift in your communication journey.

In this post, we’ll explore:

• Why presence matters more than you think.

• The psychological roots of stage fright and how to overcome them.

• Practical techniques for embodying gravitas.

• Exercises you can try today to improve your presence.

• And why coaching could be your fastest path to sustainable growth.

Let’s begin.

The Real-Life Impact of Presence: A Tale of Two Speakers

Picture this: two speakers walk onto the stage. One clutches their notes, eyes darting, voice tight. The other stands tall, breathes, smiles. They haven’t even spoken yet, but you already feel drawn to the second.

Same content. Different presence.

This isn’t an abstract idea—it plays out in boardrooms, classrooms, interviews, and conference halls every day.

I once worked with a client—let’s call her Sarah—who was brilliant on paper. Her talks were well-structured and factually rich. But she felt invisible. Her peers often outshone her despite less preparation. What changed everything? We didn’t rewrite her script. We rebuilt her presence.

Within weeks, she was delivering with more impact than ever—not because her words had changed, but because her energy had.

Why Stage Fright Happens—and What to Do About It

Before we can develop presence, we need to address what gets in its way: anxiety.

Stage fright isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a biologically hardwired response to perceived social threat. The brain equates standing alone in front of an audience with danger—triggering the fight-or-flight system.

Common Symptoms:

• Dry mouth

• Rapid heart rate

• Shaky hands or voice

• Forgetting what you wanted to say

What Helps?

1. Reframing the Fear
   Instead of “What if I mess up?”, ask: “What if they love this?” Use curiosity to shift your mindset.

2. Controlled Breathing
   Practice box breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4). It calms your nervous system before speaking.

3. Anchoring Techniques
   Before speaking, touch a bracelet or hold your thumb and finger together while recalling a confident memory. This creates a physical association with calm confidence.

What Presence Actually Looks Like

Presence isn’t about theatrics. It’s about showing up calm, clear, and credible. People with presence tend to:

• Pause comfortably instead of rushing.

• Make deliberate movements instead of fidgeting.

• Hold eye contact with intention.

• Take up space without apology.

• Speak with vocal depth and control, not volume.

They don’t beg for attention. They assume they deserve it—and that confidence, even if practiced, changes everything.

Expert-Backed Techniques for Embodying Gravitas

Drawing on research from communication psychology and performance coaching, here are four ways to immediately improve your presence:

1. Lead with Stillness

• When you begin speaking, don’t move. Let your stillness do the talking.

• This conveys poise and stops you from pacing out nervous energy.

2. Ground Yourself Physically

• Stand with your feet hip-width apart, weight evenly distributed.

• Imagine roots growing from your feet into the ground.

This stance stabilises your posture and reduces subconscious signs of anxiety.

3. Lower Your Centre of Gravity (Mentally and Vocally)

• Breathe from your diaphragm.

• Let your voice resonate from your chest, not your throat.

This creates a deeper, calmer tone that audiences associate with authority.

4. Open Your Body Language

• Uncross arms.

• Keep palms visible.

• Avoid micro-gestures like tugging sleeves or adjusting your watch.

Research shows that open, relaxed gestures increase audience trust and perception of leadership.

Exercises to Practise Right Now

Here are three presence-building drills I use in coaching that you can do at home:

Mirror Work

• Stand in front of a mirror.

• Practise delivering the opening 30 seconds of a talk.

• Watch your body language: do you look grounded? Open? Calm?

• Record yourself. Rewatch without sound. Do you look confident even on mute?

The Still Start

• Practise beginning your next conversation (even casual ones) by pausing for two seconds before speaking.

• It feels long, but it creates a sense of presence and thoughtfulness.

Vocal Control Warm-Up

• Read a short paragraph aloud.

• Repeat it three times:

  • Once with exaggerated vocal variety (big highs and lows).

  • Once in a soft, calm tone.

  • Once with slow, deliberate delivery.

This builds control over your vocal tools and trains flexibility.

Why Communication Coaching Fast-Tracks Progress

Let’s be honest: building presence takes time—but with coaching, it takes less time.

Most speakers don’t need more content. They need clarity, feedback, and someone who sees what they can’t see.

With 1-to-1 coaching, we’ll work on:

• Identifying and eliminating nervous habits.

• Refining your delivery for impact.

• Building your unique speaking style.

• And, most importantly, helping you walk into any room with calm, grounded confidence.

Presence isn’t magic—it’s a skill. And with the right guidance, you can own the room every time.

Take the First Step Towards Transformational Presence

If you've ever walked away from a talk thinking, “I could’ve owned that room, but something didn’t click”—you’re not alone. And you don’t need to stay stuck in that cycle.

Whether you’re leading teams, presenting to clients, or prepping for a keynote, your presence sets the tone before you speak a single word.

So what’s the next step?
Reach out to me today and let’s talk about how 1-to-1 communication coaching can accelerate your confidence, sharpen your presentation skills, and transform your public speaking journey from the inside out.

Don’t wait for confidence to show up. Build it. With the right tools, the right mindset—and a little help—you’ll discover that presence isn’t something you’re born with.

It’s something you show up with.