Presentation Skills Have a Bigger Impact Than You Expect

I’ve shared a lot about presentation skills in education and training, but now I want to explore their impact in another crucial area—business.

Improving presentation skills is a game-changer for anyone in business. There are some obvious reasons as to why you should advance your skills - engaging your audience, or getting your messages across better. But, the benefits of presentation skills are so much more far reaching than that. Great presenters don’t just share information—they inspire, persuade, and drive action.

Whether you're pitching an idea, leading a team, or persuading stakeholders, strong communication makes a huge difference. In this blog, I’m going to dive deeper into some of these.

1. Winning Buy-In and Influence

Persuasion is an art—and if you’ve ever struggled to convince someone simply because you couldn’t find the right words, you know how frustrating it can be. Strong presentation skills allow you to convey your expertise with confidence and impact. Too often, highly skilled professionals fail to showcase their knowledge and competence, not because they lack ability, but because their presentation falls flat.

Success in business often comes down to how well you can sell your ideas. A compelling presentation doesn’t just inform—it persuades. Whether you’re seeking stakeholder approval, pitching to investors, or rallying your team behind a new initiative, your ability to communicate with clarity and confidence builds trust and credibility.

Engaging, well-structured communication strengthens connections and supports collaboration, making it easier to gain support for your vision.

2. Accelerating Career Growth

Communicating with authority and confidence often sets you apart, being seen as capable and influential, and ultimately, a leader. Think about preparing for a job interview—you want to appear confident, knowledgeable, and articulate. Well, strong presentation skills follow the same principles: confidence, expertise, and engagement to aid in opening opportunities and fast-tracking career advancement.

Beyond that, professionals who excel in public speaking naturally draw the attention of senior leadership. This visibility significantly boosts their chances of earning promotions and securing high-profile opportunities.

I’ve witnessed this firsthand—not only in my own career but also in others. In fact, we’ve seen it happen with our own workshop participants. Take Courtney Scales, for example—her career transformed once she mastered her presentation skills. Check out our case study and podcast with Courtney to see how powerful this transformation can be.

3. Boosting Confidence and Reducing Stress

Public speaking anxiety is common, I hear it so often. But, the more you refine your skills, the more confident you become. And this confidence doesn’t just stay within the realm of presenting - it spills over into other aspects of your business life, and can make things like negotiations, networking, and leadership interactions much smoother. Even seasoned business professionals are adopting techniques from comedians and storytellers to enhance their confidence in leadership presence and connect with audiences more effectively.

When working on presentation skills - something that plays a massive role is improving your vocal skills, your body language, the way you move, and understanding how to work with your breath. These play a huge part in creating a presence. These skills aren’t only beneficial for when you’re presenting - they can be used in so many different parts of your life.?

This confidence has a significant impact on reducing stress – when we feel more confident in what we are doing at work and in business, you’re generally more equipped to deal with stressors and challenges. Improving confidence is a win-win situation.

4. Strengthening Client Relations

An engaging presentation can quite literally be the difference between closing a deal and missing an opportunity. If we stop and think about that for a second, that’s huge. By honing your presentation skills, you’re not just improving how you speak—you’re enhancing your ability to captivate clients and investors, build trust, and make them want to work with you. You’re making a good first impression, and have the skills to continue this relationship further.

If you’re in sales, marketing, or leadership, your ability to connect with clients and investors isn’t just important—it’s essential.

5. Standing Out in a Competitive Market

It’s fairly well known that the business landscape is becoming more competitive, and standing out can be difficult. Presentation skills help differentiate you and your company from the competition. Public speaking engagements, webinars, and conferences are all powerful platforms to showcase your expertise, enhance your personal brand, and position yourself as an industry leader.

Think back to a large event you’ve attended—perhaps the London Vet Show or BVA Live. Among the many speakers on stage, did any capture your attention? Ones who stepped up with confidence, immediately drawing you in and making everything else fade away? The presenters who take you on a journey, leaving a lasting impact - those are the professionals who stand out. With the right skills, you can be one of them.

6. Final thoughts

Improving your presentation skills isn’t just about delivering a great speech—it’s about elevating your entire professional presence. The ability to present with clarity, confidence, and impact transforms not only the way others perceive you but also the opportunities that come your way, and gives you a powerful edge.

And the best part? These skills are learnable. With practice, refinement, and the right techniques, anyone can become a compelling and influential speaker. Investing in your presentation skills could be one of the most valuable career moves you make.

Source list:

Matt Abrahams, How to Sound Smarter When You Communicate, Time. https://time.com/7225574/sound-smarter-communicate/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Marlen Dannoritzer, “Contrary to what many believe, it’s not about talent” – What distinguishes excellent speakers, Welt. https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/karriere/bildung/plus253820850/Vortraege-halten-Es-geht-nicht-um-Talent-Worauf-es-fuer-einen-gelungenen-Auftritt-ankommt.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

‘You need people skills’: comedians give staff confidence a boost, The Times. https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/you-need-people-skills-comedians-give-staff-confidence-a-boost-hr9w6v6wj?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Esther Addley, ‘Embrace the pause’: vocal coaches on the tips they give politicians, The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/07/vocal-coaches-on-the-tips-they-give-politicians?utm_source=chatgpt.com