Presentation Delivery

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Project confidence and poise during presentations
Implement strategies to manage nervousness effectively
Apply body language techniques to enhance your message

1. Poise and Confidence When Presenting

Essential Reading

5 Ways to Project Confidence in Front of an Audience by Carmine Gallo via HBR
5 Ways to Improve Your Body Language During a Speech via Columbia School of Professional Studies

Key Strategies for Confident Delivery

Voice and Pacing

Speak 10-15% slower than your normal conversation pace
Use strategic pauses to emphasize important points
Vary your vocal tone to maintain audience engagement
Project your voice to the back row without shouting

Body Language That Commands Attention

Stand tall with shoulders back and feet shoulder-width apart
Make eye contact with different sections of the audience
Use purposeful gestures that support your message
Move deliberately—avoid pacing or swaying
Keep hands visible (avoid pockets or behind back)

Managing Your Space

Position yourself where everyone can see you clearly
Use the presentation space confidently—don’t hide behind a podium
Face your audience, not your slides
Practice smooth transitions between points

Professional Presence

Dress slightly more formally than your audience
Eliminate filler words (“um,” “uh,” “like”)
Own your expertise—you know your content better than anyone in the room
End strong with conviction and clear next steps

2. Overcoming Nervousness

Essential Viewing

How to Make Stress Your Friend by Kelly McGonigal via TEDGlobal 2013

Reframing Your Relationship with Nerves

Pre-Presentation Strategies

Thorough preparation reduces anxiety—know your content inside and out
Practice in conditions similar to your actual presentation
Arrive early to familiarize yourself with the space and technology
Focus on serving your audience, not on being judged by them

Physical Techniques

Deep breathing exercises: 4 counts in, hold for 4, out for 6
Light physical exercise or stretching before presenting
Power posing for 2 minutes in private before going on stage
Stay hydrated but avoid excessive caffeine

Mental Reframing

Nervousness is excitement—your body is preparing you to perform
View mistakes as human moments that connect you with your audience
Remember: the audience wants you to succeed
Focus on your message and its value to the listeners

During the Presentation

If you make a mistake, acknowledge it briefly and move forward
Ground yourself by feeling your feet on the floor
Use friendly faces in the audience as anchors for eye contact
Remember to breathe between major points

3. Reflection: Your Personal Strategy

Discussion Prompt

Share your experience: What strategies have you used in the past to communicate with confidence? What techniques help you manage nervousness in high-stakes situations?

Consider these areas:

Preparation rituals that help you feel ready
Physical techniques that calm your nerves
Mental strategies that boost your confidence
Recovery methods when things don’t go as planned

Group Discussion Questions

How do cultural differences impact presentation anxiety and confidence?
What presentation challenges are unique to non-native English speakers?
How can we support each other during this week’s mini-presentations?
What would “success” look like for your presentation delivery this week?

Building Your Confidence Toolkit

Based on today’s readings and our discussion, identify:

One new technique you want to try for projecting confidence
One strategy for managing pre-presentation nerves
One backup plan for handling unexpected moments during your presentation

Remember: Even experienced presenters feel nervous. The goal isn’t to eliminate nervousness entirely, but to channel that energy into a compelling presentation that serves your audience.

Personal Confidence Strategy

Use this space to jot down your personal approach:

Before I present, I will:

Action 1
Action 2

During my presentation, if I feel nervous, I will:

Strategy 1
Strategy 2

My confidence comes from:

Source 1
Source 2

📥 Download This Activity

Find this file on our repo and download it!

🤖 AI Study Prompts

After completing this lesson and reflection, enhance your skills with these prompts:

“Based on my personal confidence strategy, what are 3 additional techniques for managing presentation anxiety specific to non-native English speakers?”
“How do presentation delivery expectations differ across business cultures, and how can I adapt my style accordingly?”
“What are effective recovery strategies when technical difficulties or mistakes occur during important business presentations?”

Next up: Your Assignment: Deliver a Mini-Presentation