Own the Room

How can you command a room during presentations?

To command a room during presentations, start with good posture. Stand or sit with your spine aligned to project confidence and control. This also helps you breathe more easily and manage adrenaline. Be mindful of your breathing to reduce tension—breathe deeply from your abdomen and keep your shoulders relaxed. Use hand gestures to emphasise key points but avoid repetitive movements that could distract the audience. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and mentally anchor yourself to maintain stability and control.

When speaking, project your voice clearly and at an appropriate volume without shouting. Pace your speech to include pauses for breathing, which helps you stay in control and allows the audience time to process information. Speak clearly and use vocal variety to engage the audience and keep their interest. Manage your slides effectively by keeping text minimal, using large fonts, and incorporating images or graphs to support your points. Begin with an attention-grabbing statement and focus on key messages rather than detailed background information.

How can you navigate panel discussions confidently?

When chairing a panel discussion, prepare by practising the questions you want to ask and considering the expertise of each panellist. Share the question topics with panellists beforehand and rehearse seating arrangements to ensure good sight lines for the audience. As a panellist, review the questions in advance and prepare your contributions. Practising your responses will help you contribute meaningfully and confidently during the discussion.

What are the tips for successful speeches?

Successful speeches require thorough preparation. Craft, edit, and rehearse your speech, and seek feedback from others. Practise aloud, record yourself, and time your speech to ensure it fits within the allotted time. Even short speeches, such as thanking a colleague or introducing a guest, benefit from practice. As you gain more experience, continue to refine your skills in body language, vocal delivery, and content organisation. Evaluate each speech to identify what worked well and what could be improved, and seek objective feedback to enhance your future presentations.