Why Presenting Matters: How to Gain Recognition and Build Your Professional Reputation

When was the last time you were asked to present? Did you step up—or shrink back?

A client once told me her biggest takeaway from working on a presentation was simple: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” That’s my advice to you, too. Because when you step up and speak well, people see you as a leader—and being seen as a leader is what propels your career forward.

My passion for public speaking led to a series of conversations with Jeffrey Goldsmith (former writer at Wired), which eventually turned into a book. I’m excited to share insights from those conversations with you in this blog series.

Here, you'll discover practical strategies to present with confidence, gain recognition, and advance in your career.

What is presenting??

Presenting is more than just speaking in front of an audience—it's about taking a chance on connection. It’s about being willing to share something that's inside with the outside world and with others. Think of it this way: I am over here, you're over there, and there's this thing I want to use as a vehicle for connection. That, to me, is the essence of presenting.

I firmly believe that connection is the goal of presenting—whether that means connecting in a personal or professional context. Some might disagree, but consider the classic thought experiment: If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? Similarly, if you have ideas, experiences, and insights but never present them, are they truly making an impact?

However, many people avoid presenting due to nerves, fear of ridicule, or the discomfort of stepping outside their comfort zone. But here’s the truth: avoiding presentations means missing out on career-defining opportunities. When you become the person willing to present, you position yourself as a thought leader, a credible voice, and someone others look up to. Being the "go-to" person to represent your company at conferences or meetings can accelerate your career in ways you might not expect.

Why Presenting Matters for Your Career

Presenting offers a unique opportunity for professional growth and visibility. It allows you to demonstrate your expertise, build your reputation, and showcase your leadership potential. When you put yourself forward to speak, you gain:

• Increased visibility: Leadership notices those who step up, and presenting can open doors to promotions and exciting opportunities.
• Stronger credibility: Speaking with authority on your subject matter helps establish you as an expert in your field.
• Networking opportunities: Presenting puts you in front of industry peers, potential mentors, and collaborators who can influence your career.
• Enhanced communication skills: Public speaking forces you to clarify your thoughts and articulate your ideas persuasively, a crucial skill in any profession.

On a broader scale, presenting is deeply ingrained in our human experience. Think about the earliest forms of communication, like cave paintings. They were a way for our ancestors to present their thoughts, their experiences, and their knowledge. Imagine a prehistoric person illustrating a bison falling off a cliff—this, too, was a presentation. It was a way to share something important, to connect with others, and to ensure the survival of knowledge.

Why Presenting Matters Beyond Your Career

Why do we present? Because keeping things inside can be lonely. It’s isolating, but beyond that, it’s unproductive. When we don't share our ideas, we miss out on opportunities to engage, to inspire, and to evolve collectively. Presenting is an act of courage. It’s about stepping forward, being seen, and creating meaning through connection.

So, the next time you feel hesitant about presenting, remember this: it’s your opportunity to connect. You're offering a piece of yourself to the world and inviting others to engage with it. And that, in itself, is a beautiful, necessary part of being human—and of building a thriving career.

Ultimately, presenting is not just about delivering information; it’s about fostering relationships, igniting curiosity, and sparking transformation. It’s a reminder that we are not alone, that our ideas matter, and that our voice has the power to inspire change.

I’m curious—what does presenting mean to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Want to take your presentation skills further? Grab a copy of my book, Presenting Presenting: The Art of Public Speaking and How to Do It Better, and start turning every speaking opportunity into a career-defining moment.

Prefer to watch? Catch the full interview here.

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