If you’ve ever closed your laptop after a big presentation and immediately started replaying everything you said (and didn’t say), you’re not alone. Maybe you walked away wondering, Did anyone even hear what I was trying to say?
Here’s the truth: great presentations aren’t about flawless delivery or perfectly polished slides. They’re about leadership. Presentations are one of the most powerful—and most overlooked—opportunities to showcase your strategic thinking, influence how you’re perceived, and own your voice in the room.
Let’s break down four game-changing strategies to help high-performing women give better presentations at work. Whether you’re battling nerves or just want to make more impact, these tips will help you present smarter—not harder.
The Leadership Opportunity You’re Overlooking
Presentations aren’t just status updates. They’re high-visibility moments that shape your reputation and open doors.
Unfortunately, many women stay in “update mode”—sharing data, covering every detail, and playing it safe. It feels like the responsible thing to do, but in reality, it keeps your leadership potential hidden.
If you’ve ever walked into a meeting prepared to prove you know your stuff but left feeling invisible, it’s time to rethink your approach.
Presentations aren’t tests. They’re stages—and you deserve the mic.
Four Strategies to Give Better Presentations at Work
1. Think From the End
Start with the result you want and build backwards. Before you draft a single slide, ask yourself:
What do I want my audience to know, decide, or do by the end of this presentation?
Reverse engineering your message ensures everything you say leads to that clear, strategic outcome. This approach shifts your presentation from a data dump to a decisive conversation.
Action Tip: Write down the outcome you want before every presentation. Use it to guide your talking points and focus your message.
2. Build in Time for Engagement—and Set Expectations
Unplanned interruptions from stakeholders can derail your train of thought. The fix? Plan for interaction and tell your audience when and how they can participate.
Letting people know upfront when their input is invited gives them space to engage thoughtfully and keeps you in control of the room.
Action Tip: Try opening with something like, “I’ll pause after each section for feedback, and we’ll align on next steps at the end.” This positions you as a confident, prepared communicator—and sets the tone for collaborative dialogue.
3. Prepare Leading Questions
We’ve all ended a presentation with “Any questions?” only to be met with silence. That’s because your audience is tired, distracted, and not sure what to ask.
Instead, ask specific, open-ended questions that guide the conversation and spark engagement. This keeps your presentation from falling flat and makes it easier for others to respond meaningfully.
Examples:
- “Which part of this proposal aligns best with your team’s priorities?”
- “What else would be helpful to include before we move forward?”
Action Tip: Come prepared with 2–3 leading questions for each section of your talk. Assume people won’t be chatty—and guide them toward clarity anyway.
4. Use the Storybook Method to Modulate Your Tone
Speaking in a steady tone might feel professional—but it often comes across as flat or disengaged. Real influence lies in how you deliver your message, not just the content.
Think of yourself as reading a story to a child—inflection, pauses, and variation in pace help you keep their attention. The same is true for your colleagues and leaders.
Action Tip: Practice reading one slide aloud using an expressive tone. Even if it feels exaggerated to you, it will sound more engaging to your audience. Tools like the Speeko app can help you improve your delivery through breath work and voice coaching.
Out with the Old, In with the Intentional
The outdated mindset says presentations are about providing information. But the modern approach? Presentations are leadership moments.
When you speak clearly, engage your audience, and guide conversations with intention, you elevate your personal brand and influence—regardless of your role or title.
Take the First Step Toward Presentation Mastery
You don’t need to overhaul your entire speaking style overnight. Just pick one of these four strategies and integrate it into your next meeting. Notice how it changes your confidence—and how others respond to you.
And if you’re ready to go deeper in developing your communication and executive presence, my free guide, The High Potential Pack, is a great place to start.
Download your free copy at lauraweldy.com/free.
Better presentations begin with preparation—but true leadership shines through strategy and self-trust. Let your voice lead the way.