How to Land the Plane in Public Speaking—Without Rambling

Have you ever listened to someone speak and thought, Where is this going?

Or worse—have you ever been that speaker? You wrap up a strong point, but instead of stopping, you keep talking… and talking… until your audience starts shifting in their seats, unsure if they should clap or wait for more.

This is what I call “failing to land the plane.”

When you don’t end with confidence, your message loses impact. Instead of leaving your audience with a powerful takeaway, you leave them confused—or worse, checked out.

I saw this firsthand with a client who was an incredible storyteller but struggled to wrap things up. She would deliver a compelling message, but instead of stopping at the peak, she’d add “just one more thing,” circle back, and eventually lose the power of her point. It wasn’t her content that needed work—it was her exit strategy.

So how do you avoid this? You need a plan.

Three Ways to “Pull the Parachute Cord” and Land Smoothly

Public speaking is like flying a plane—you can take off strong, soar through your points, but if you don’t know how to land, the whole experience crashes. Here’s how to close with clarity and confidence:

?? 1. The Hard Stop: "So that’s why I’m really excited to talk with you today."

This is the drop-the-mic approach. No filler, no extra explanations—just a clean stop. It signals to your audience, That’s it. We’re done here.

?? 2. The Key Message: "And what I really want you to take away is…"

This one is great for driving home your point. It makes sure your audience remembers exactly what you want them to. No fluff, just impact.

?? 3. The Big Headline: "The big headline here is…"

Perfect for media interviews or high-stakes meetings. If people remember one thing from your talk, it should be this. Deliver it, then stop talking.

Why This Matters

I once worked with a CEO who kept losing his audience at the end of every speech. His content was great, but his endings? A mess. He’d finish a strong point, then double back, add another anecdote, and keep talking until his message got buried.

When we worked on landing the plane—giving his audience a clear ending they could feel—everything changed. His presentations became sharper, his confidence grew, and his audience actually remembered what he said.

The truth is, your audience craves clarity. They want to know when you’re done so they can absorb your message. When you ramble, they tune out.

In past newsletters, we’ve talked about the power of simplicity in communication. Whether it’s trimming down your message, sticking to a clear purpose, or mastering the 3-to-30 rule, less is always more.

And when it comes to public speaking? How you end is just as important as how you start.

Your Challenge This Week

Next time you speak—whether it’s a presentation, a meeting, or even a casual conversation—practice landing the plane.

? Choose one of the three techniques above. ? Deliver your final point with confidence. ? Stop talking. Let the silence do its job.

Because the best communicators don’t just know what to say—they know when to stop. If you want clearer, more impactful communication for yourself and your team, contact us.?

Tip of the Week: If you ramble, people won’t remember what you said—only that you rambled.