How to Improve Communication Through Presenting

In today’s complex and fast-paced business environment, strong communication skills are a critical leadership advantage. Whether you’re presenting a strategic vision or pitching a new idea, the way you communicate can dramatically influence your outcomes. The ability to present clearly and confidently is now a key leadership skill. It is not just a nice-to-have.

If you're aiming to improve your presence, influence, and authority as a leader, it starts with how you communicate. This blog will give you seven tips to improve your communication skills. You will learn how to build credibility and deliver presentations that connect with any audience.

Why Presentation Skills Are Essential for Leaders

Leaders who communicate well are more likely to inspire teams, influence stakeholders, and drive results. Yet, too many executives struggle with ineffective communication which results in them losing impact, time, and trust in the process. 

Mastering presentation skills enables you to:

• Build trust by speaking with clarity and intention

• Engage your audience by connecting authentically

• Drive alignment through persuasive storytelling
• Influence decisions with confident delivery and structure

The good news? These are not innate talents. You can learn, practice, and master these skills and we’re here to show you how. 

7 Presentation Tips to Improve Communication Skills and Public Speaking

1. Don’t Fear the Stage

Even the most seasoned speakers feel nerves before a big presentation. But fear doesn’t have to be a barrier. Channel nervous energy into enthusiasm and use it to fuel your performance.

Preparation is the antidote to anxiety. When you rehearse thoroughly and know your material inside out, you’ll be more confident and your audience will feel that too.

Visualize a successful outcome and remind yourself why your message matters. Stepping into the spotlight with courage is the first step to improving communication skills. It helps you become a leader that others want to listen to.

2. Connect with Your Audience

People remember how you make them feel more than the facts you deliver. Make genuine connections by scanning the room, making eye contact, and acknowledging individuals. Speak with empathy, and use real-life stories and examples to build emotional rapport.

When you connect on a human level, your message becomes more relatable and memorable. This emotional intelligence is what separates a good presenter from a great communicator. If you know us at My Daily Leadership, you know we are big fans of emotional intelligence. 

3. Focus on Body Language

I’m sure you’ve heard of the phrase ‘action speaks louder than words’ and the same goes for your body. It speaks volumes. An open stance, expressive gestures, and intentional movement all convey confidence and presence. Avoid closed body language like crossed arms or pacing, which can signal discomfort or uncertainty.

Strong body language projects authority and trustworthiness. These are two essential components for those looking to improve communication skills and executive presence.

4. Leverage Visuals Effectively

A picture may be worth a thousand words but only if it’s used wisely. Visual aids should enhance your message, not compete with it. Keep slides clean and minimal: use one idea per slide, large fonts, high-contrast visuals, and limited text.

Use charts, infographics, or imagery to reinforce your message and make complex information easier to digest. Visual storytelling not only supports retention but also adds polish to your professional delivery.

5. Embrace the Pause

Silence can be just as powerful as speech. Strategic pauses allow your message to land and give your audience time to reflect. They also help you pace your delivery and avoid filler words like “um,” “you know,” or “like.”

Well-placed pauses command attention, create emphasis, and make you sound more intentional and confident. They are an underrated but essential tool to improve communication skills in high-stakes settings.

6. Project Your Voice

Your voice is an instrument so use it with intention. Speak clearly and confidently, using variations in tone, pitch, and pace to maintain engagement. Avoid monotone delivery, which can make even the most exciting content sound dull.

Project your voice from your diaphragm for volume and resonance. A strong, steady voice communicates competence, while vocal variation helps emphasize key points and keep your audience tuned in.

7. Rehearse Like a Pro

Great presenters are made, not born. Behind every effortless delivery is hours of focused preparation. Rehearse your full talk out loud, not just in your head. Record yourself, watch the playback, and refine your pacing, body language, and transitions.

Ask a trusted colleague for feedback and incorporate it into your next run-through. Rehearsing builds confidence and helps you stay calm and composed under pressure. This is crucial if you're determined to improve communication skills in real-world leadership scenarios.

Take Your Communication to the Next Level

At the highest levels of leadership, your voice carries weight but only if it’s used with impact. That’s why we created the My Daily Leadership Speaking with Excellence Program: a transformational experience designed to help senior leaders communicate with clarity, credibility, and influence.

Speak with Confidence. Lead with Excellence.

Our 16-week program is a comprehensive roadmap to improve communication skills and master executive presence. It blends:

• Personalized coaching to identify and overcome communication barriers

• Dynamic online modules focused on vocal delivery, message architecture, and visual presence

• Practical exercises rooted in real-world business scenarios
• Our exclusive Leadership Communication Compass model

If you want to improve your skills, join our Speaking with Excellence Program. This program will help you connect better, share your message clearly, and make a strong impact in every interaction.

Final Thoughts: Master Presentation to Improve Communication Skills

In summary, if you’re serious about wanting to improve communication skills, start by refining how you present. Every presentation is an opportunity to lead, influence, and leave a lasting impression. No matter how many people you’re presenting to. 

So next time you find yourself standing in front of a room whether it’s virtual or in person, remember that how you present can shape how you lead. No pressure. 

Written By Paul Geiger - Senior Communication Coach

Paul Geiger is a Public Speaking Coach and Presentation Expert. Paul is the Senior Communication Coach for the Speaking With Excellence Program. He has consulted with individuals and teams from top companies like Viacom, Google, Citi, Twitter, Bloomberg, NBC News, and Nasdaq. 

In a business world where time is money, speaking clarity and confidence are the true gold standards.