PResenting with purpose newsletter

Presenting with Purpose: The art of “Communication”

Presenting is more than just sharing ideas—it’s about creating impact, building connections, and shaping perceptions. Over the years, my journey as a speaker has taken me from global boardrooms to the stage of Norwich Cathedral, where every word has the power to inspire and influence. This month, I’m excited to dive deep into the art of effective presentations. Whether you’re a seasoned leader, a budding entrepreneur, or someone simply looking to refine their communication skills, this newsletter will equip you with insights, tools, and reflections to help you present with confidence and clarity.

Since COVID-19, the world of presenting has dramatically evolved. With the rise of virtual meetings, Zoom fatigue, and hybrid workspaces, we’ve had to rethink how we connect with audiences. We’re no longer just presenting in person—now, it’s about balancing digital and physical spaces to create engagement, authenticity, and impact. This new landscape offers both challenges and opportunities, and it’s reshaping the way we communicate.

From celebrating my 14 years of sharing my voice on social media to the nuances of preparing for high-stakes presentations, we’ll explore how presentation skills extend beyond the stage and into every facet of leadership. Because when you present well, you don’t just deliver a message—you leave a lasting mark. So let’s dive in and discover how we can all present with greater purpose and passion.

In case you missed it, I recently had the honour of speaking at the magnificent Norwich Cathedral as part of the Norfolk Cambridge Society Public Lecture series. The event was not just an opportunity to reflect on my career but also a testament to how far I’ve come as a presenter. From boardrooms to cathedrals, presenting is about finding your voice and conveying your message with authenticity and purpose. Take a look at my full talk, where I discuss everything from leadership to AI and share my personal insights on what it takes to succeed in today’s ever-evolving business landscape. I invite you to watch it as a guide to understanding my presenting style and how you can refine yours. Watch it here!

Overcoming anxiety and fear of presenting is a challenge many people face, but it’s also an opportunity for growth and transformation. Presenting can evoke a strong physiological response—our heart rates quicken, palms get sweaty, and sometimes, our minds go blank. It’s perfectly natural, but it doesn’t have to be debilitating. Here are some ways to overcome this common challenge and approach presentations with more confidence:

1. Shift Your Mindset:
Often, the fear of presenting comes from a fear of judgment or making mistakes. One powerful way to overcome this is to reframe the experience. Instead of viewing a presentation as a performance where you must be perfect, see it as a conversation with your audience. You're sharing information, insights, and your unique perspective—not striving for flawlessness.

2. Preparation is Key:
One of the biggest causes of anxiety is feeling unprepared. The more you rehearse and know your material, the more confident you’ll feel. Practice out loud, preferably in front of others, and even record yourself to refine your delivery. Familiarity with your material turns it into second nature and decreases your anxiety.

3. Embrace Physical Techniques:
Nervousness manifests physically, and managing your body can help calm your mind. Deep breathing exercises can lower your heart rate, while progressive muscle relaxation can ease tension. Simple grounding exercises, such as focusing on your breath or planting your feet firmly on the floor, can keep you centered in the moment.

4. Visualisation:
Before you go on stage or present online, take a few moments to visualise success. Imagine yourself delivering a confident, engaging presentation. Visualisation helps your brain create a mental map of a positive outcome, which can lower anxiety and improve performance.

5. Start Small, Build Confidence:
If you're new to presenting or particularly anxious, start with smaller audiences. Build up your confidence in low-stakes environments before tackling larger groups. Each small victory builds momentum, helping you gain confidence over time.

6. Focus on Your Audience, Not Yourself:
Shifting your focus from how you’re being perceived to how you’re serving your audience can make a world of difference. Remind yourself that the presentation is about sharing knowledge and creating value for your listeners. By focusing on their needs, you’ll feel less self-conscious and more in tune with your purpose.

7. Accept Imperfection:
It’s okay to make mistakes—everyone does. In fact, a small stumble can humanise you and make your presentation feel more authentic. The key is to acknowledge it, remain composed, and move forward. The audience is typically more forgiving than we give them credit for.

8. Reframe the Physical Sensations:
Often, the symptoms of anxiety—such as an increased heart rate or adrenaline rush—are similar to those of excitement. Reframe the nervousness as excitement for the opportunity to share, and you’ll find the experience less intimidating.

Overcoming anxiety and fear of presenting is about practice, patience, and self-compassion. With each presentation, you’ll grow more comfortable, and what once felt terrifying can become an empowering opportunity to connect and influence others. If you’re facing this challenge, know that you’re not alone—and that with time and effort, it’s something you can conquer.

What has helped you overcome your presentation fears? I’d love to hear your tips and experiences

15 Years on Social Media and Counting

Social media has become one of the most powerful platforms for sharing your voice, thoughts, and ideas. Over the last 15 years, I’ve seen how platforms like LinkedIn have transformed how we communicate with the world. Posting daily isn’t just a way to stay relevant; it’s a discipline—just like presenting on stage. Crafting your message, understanding your audience, and knowing the value of consistency are key components to mastering the art of presenting online. Social media is a brilliant way to express your views, and you’ve got to work at it. Take a look at my latest post where I reflect on my 14-year social media journey and how I’ve honed my voice over time. If you’re looking to build your presence online, remember: consistency is key.

Creating an Effective Presentation: Tips for Impactful Communication

Creating an effective presentation is more than just compiling slides—it's about telling a compelling story that engages your audience and drives your message home. The art of presentation lies in how well you can communicate your ideas with clarity, simplicity, and impact.

Here are some key strategies to keep in mind:

⭐️Start with a Clear Structure: Your presentation should have a logical flow. Begin with a strong introduction that sets the stage, followed by the main content organised into key points, and end with a powerful conclusion. Think of it like a story with a beginning, middle, and end.

⭐️Keep It Simple: Avoid overcrowding your slides with too much text or too many visuals. Focus on the key messages you want to convey and use concise language. The simpler your slides, the easier it is for your audience to follow along and retain the information.

⭐️Use Visuals Wisely: Visual aids can enhance your message, but only if used effectively. Use high-quality images, graphs, and charts that support your points and help to explain complex information more clearly. Remember, visuals should complement your narrative, not overshadow it.

⭐️Engage Your Audience: Ask questions, use anecdotes, or include interactive elements to keep your audience engaged. The more you can involve them, the more memorable your presentation will be.

⭐️Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse your presentation multiple times to get comfortable with the content and the flow. This will help you deliver your message more confidently and allow you to focus on engaging with your audience rather than worrying about what comes next.

⭐️Connecting When Presenting Online: In the virtual world, connection is just as important as in-person. Become familiar with the technology so that both you and your presentation appear on screen. This ensures that your audience can see your expressions and gestures, which are crucial for conveying enthusiasm and engagement. Practice switching between your presentation and direct engagement with the camera, so you can maintain a strong connection with your audience throughout.

Creating an effective presentation is about more than just the slides; it’s about how you connect with your audience and make your message stick. Whether you're pitching a new idea, sharing research, or leading a training session, following these tips can help ensure your presentation is both impactful and memorable.

My Why…

I'm deeply passionate about inspiring the next generation of women to embrace leadership roles—especially because I see so many young girls shy away from them. My work with schools and through various speaking engagements is rooted in one key belief: if you can see it, you can be it.

The truth is, many girls don’t see themselves as future leaders because they don’t have enough female role models to look up to. Leadership has historically been portrayed as a male-dominated arena, and the lack of visibility of women in top positions perpetuates this belief. But I’m here to change that narrative.

Through my presenting work and my Speakers in Schools program, I’m committed to showing young women what’s possible. By being present and sharing my story, I want to challenge those outdated perceptions and show them that leadership is not only attainable but can be incredibly rewarding. Girls deserve to see that they can be CEOs, thought leaders, and decision-makers—they just need to be shown the path.

I’m here to make sure they not only see it, but that they believe it’s a future that belongs to them too. The work we do today lays the foundation for a new generation of women leaders who will change the world.

If we want to inspire the next generation of women to see themselves as leaders, we have to show them what's possible. The belief that "girls don’t want to be leaders" stems from a lack of representation, not capability. That’s why my Speakers in Schools program and presentations are so crucial. These initiatives allow young women to see real-life examples of leadership and realize that it’s within their reach.

I’ve been fortunate to connect with young minds, and as part of my Women in Leadership campaign, I’ve shared important messages about the value of female leadership. Check out these two posts, where I dive deeper into inspiring girls to embrace leadership:

• Leadership Is For All: Empowering girls to see themselves as leaders is the first step toward making leadership more inclusive.

• International Day of the Girl: Highlighting the importance of breaking barriers and inspiring girls to believe in their leadership potential.

These posts continue the conversation on why visibility matters and how we can collectively uplift the next generation of female leaders. Let’s keep pushing the boundaries and challenging old perceptions—because when girls can see it, they can be it.

The Evolution of Presenting: From Rooms to Screens

The pandemic forced a seismic shift in how we present and engage with audiences. Presenting online, once an occasional option, became the norm almost overnight. Suddenly, the energy of a room, the non-verbal cues, and the ability to build rapport through direct eye contact were replaced with a sea of muted microphones and blank video screens. This has changed the essence of presenting in profound ways, and for me personally, it’s been a journey of adaptation and growth.

Zoom fatigue became a very real phenomenon—something many of us struggled with. The endless stream of back-to-back virtual meetings and presentations drained energy in ways that traditional presenting never did. The nuances of engagement—reading the room, pacing, and connecting on a personal level—became harder to achieve. Presenting online demanded a new set of skills: the ability to convey enthusiasm and energy through a camera, keeping people engaged without the benefit of their physical presence, and learning to build momentum with limited feedback.

For me, this transition was both challenging and insightful. I found that presenting in this new virtual world required more intentionality in communication. It taught me to be more concise, more direct, and to use every opportunity to engage my audience despite the physical distance. It also made me appreciate the power of the pause, of asking the right questions, and of inviting participation in ways that went beyond the traditional presentation format.

What’s fascinating is how these online presenting skills have continued to shape how we present today. Even as we return to in-person events, the influence of virtual communication is undeniable. The ability to switch between digital and physical platforms fluidly, to engage across different mediums, is now a critical skill for any presenter.

In a sense, the pandemic democratized presentations, giving more people the opportunity to participate from anywhere in the world. However, it also taught us to be more empathetic presenters—aware of the challenges our audiences might face in these new formats.

Masterclass in Strategy: Why Michael Porter Sets the Standard for Presenting

When it comes to presenting complex ideas with clarity and precision, few have achieved the level of mastery that Michael Porter has. Considered one of the greatest presenters in the world of business and strategy, Porter has a unique ability to break down intricate frameworks into compelling, understandable concepts.

His work on competitive strategy, most notably the "Five Forces" framework, revolutionised how we think about competition, industry analysis, and strategy. But what makes him an even more remarkable presenter is his knack for storytelling. Porter doesn’t just present; he draws you in with a narrative that is both intellectually stimulating and deeply relevant to the modern business landscape.

For me, his balance of authority and approachability sets him apart. Watching Michael Porter present, you’re not just learning; you’re being guided through an intellectual journey. His ability to engage audiences while delivering incredibly technical content makes him an unparalleled figure in the world of business thought leadership.

Has Michael Porter's work had an impact on you or your business strategy? Let’s discuss how his insights continue to shape our approach to leadership and strategy.

For more on why I consider Michael Porter one of the best presenters ever, you can check out this post from earlier: Strategy Salute to Michael Porter.

Lightening the Mood: The Power of Jokes in Presentations

Telling jokes during presentations can be a powerful tool to connect with the audience and lighten the mood, but it requires balance and finesse. When I did my Norwich Cathedral talk, one piece of feedback was that I needed to inject more humour into my speech. And it got me thinking about the delicate art of mixing humour with serious content.

Incorporating humour isn't just about getting a laugh—it's about making the audience feel comfortable and engaged. Done well, humour can break down barriers, humanise the presenter, and make difficult topics more accessible. But it can also be tricky, especially in professional settings where humour needs to complement the message rather than detract from it.

Reflecting on my own experience, I realised that humour doesn't need to be forced or overly comedic. It's about being relatable, sharing light moments, and even poking a bit of fun at yourself. In my Norwich talk, I included a light-hearted Kamala Harris ear piece joke that brought a smile to the audience, and I could see how it helped to build rapport.

However, it's important to gauge the audience's mood and know where to draw the line. Overdoing it can risk undermining the serious points of your presentation. The key is subtlety—adding a bit of levity without losing the core message.

For my future talks, I'm more mindful of weaving in humour, ensuring it feels natural and aligned with the topic at hand. After all, a little laughter can go a long way in keeping an audience engaged and making a lasting impact. How do you approach humour in presentations? Have you found a balance that works for you?

Closing out the newsletter, I want to share why I love presenting—it comes from my deep passion for theatre. There’s something magical about standing in front of an audience, whether in a boardroom, classroom, or on stage. Presenting, much like theatre, is all about creating connections, telling stories, and stirring emotions. It’s not just about sharing information; it’s about creating an experience that leaves an impression.

Every presentation feels like an opening night to me, where I’m committed to delivering something memorable. The joy of presenting lies in putting heart and energy into every word, ensuring that it resonates with the audience. It’s this love for theatre and storytelling that drives my passion for presenting, allowing me to bring a unique blend of performance and purpose to each talk.

And remember, the great thing about presenting is that you can practise anytime, anywhere—in front of your bathroom mirror, in your bedroom—just start! Every rehearsal builds confidence, and every presentation can become a powerful performance.

Thank you for joining me on this journey into the art of presenting. Keep pushing your boundaries, refining your voice, and engaging with your audience—because the power of presentation truly is transformative.

Warmest 

Harriet