That Moment Before You Speak: The Presenting Technique Most People Overlook

Greetings, Optimists! Today, we're sharing an insight from Jerry ThompSon III, Master Trainer at Simon’s Optimism Company, who recently led a session teaching Simon’s principles on "The Art of Presenting" for a group of seasoned executives.?What he revealed might change how you approach your next opportunity to speak.

Picture this: You're standing in front of a room. Hearts racing. Palms sweating. Your carefully prepared slides are ready to go. But something doesn't feel right.

Sound familiar?

According to Jerry, most presenters focus on what they'll say and how they'll say it—but overlook a more fundamental question that changes everything: Why are you even presenting in the first place?

"If you can think about one person, or in some cases, an earlier version of yourself, who could have used a better presentation around your topic... that really helps anchor yourself," Jerry explained during his recent masterclass.

This simple mental shift—focusing on who you're helping rather than how you're performing—transforms both the experience of presenting and its impact.

The Anxiety Paradox

Here's where it gets interesting. Most presenting advice centers on managing your nerves: Stand like this. Breathe like that. Visualize success.

But Jerry suggests a counterintuitive approach: Instead of trying to eliminate nervousness (which rarely works anyway), channel it toward serving your audience.

"Nerves are going to happen, and I'm here to tell you that it's OK," Jerry reassured participants. The key is redirecting that energy toward your purpose.

When you shift from "How do I look?" to "How can I help these people?,” something remarkable happens. Your body language naturally becomes more open. Your voice finds its authentic tone. Your content organizes itself around what matters most.

Making It Practical

How do you implement this approach in your next presentation? Jerry suggests a simple pre-presentation ritual:

1. Identify Your Audience's Need: Before opening your slides or notes, take a moment to ask: "What specific challenge does my audience face that this information could help solve?"
2. Personalize It: Picture one person—either someone you know or an earlier version of yourself—who deeply needed this information. What would have made the biggest difference for them?
3. Create a Connection Bridge: Plan how you'll establish common ground in the first 30 seconds. This isn't about a clever opening line—it's about genuine acknowledgment of shared challenges or aspirations.

One participant shared how this approach transformed their quarterly reports: "I used to dread presenting our numbers. Now I think about the team members who need this information to make better decisions. It's not about my performance anymore—it's about their success."

Beyond the Slides

This audience-centered approach extends to every aspect of presenting:

• Visual Aids: "The audience does not need all the notes that you're supposed to learn as a speaker," Jerry pointed out. Keep slides simple and focused on what helps your audience, not what helps you remember your points.
• Practice: Rather than rehearsing in isolation, Jerry suggests practicing storytelling elements in everyday conversations. Notice what engages people naturally and brings them along your narrative journey.
• Feedback: "The number one way to improve at your presenting skills is to watch your recordings," Jerry advised. While we're naturally self-critical, recordings help us see what's working, not just what needs improvement.

The Deeper Why

At The Optimism Company, we believe effective presenting isn't just a professional skill—it's fundamentally human. As Jerry noted, "One of the things that makes us unique as animals is our ability to communicate in this way. This is what makes us social."

When we present with a clear purpose and genuine care for our audience, we're not just transferring information—we're creating connection. We're helping others see possibilities they couldn't see before.

And isn't that what great leadership is all about?

The next time you're preparing to present, try asking yourself: "Who am I really doing this for?" The answer might just transform both your experience and your impact.

Want to bring these insights to your team? Explore our corporate training at Optimism at Work. And if you're ready to take your own presentation skills to the next level, check out Simon's online course, The Art of Presenting. As a special bonus this month, you'll receive Find Your WHY (a $250 value) completely free with your purchase.