Most of us have sat through a business meeting that simply went wrong. The presenter didn’t grab attention early, they lost control halfway through, or the message landed with a dull thud and everyone mentally checked out.
The more uncomfortable question is this: have you ever been that presenter?
Have you ever walked out of a meeting feeling like you’d poured hours into preparation… only to watch your client leave “busting to get back to work,” with no intention of partnering with you? In the moment it feels like a waste of time for you, for them, and for the business. In 2026, it’s also a hidden career tax – because your ability to communicate is now seen as your ability to lead.
Presenting isn’t a stage thing anymore. It’s a career thing.
Back in 2010, many people treated presenting as something separate from life: a lectern, some slides, an audience. But in 2026, presenting is happening everywhere – on Teams, Zoom and Google Meet; in short hallway updates; in Slack huddles; in the two minutes you get with a busy stakeholder between meetings.
You present to clients, staff, suppliers, peers, and decision-makers every day. You are presenting yourself daily at work whether you realise it or not. And when you want to progress – more influence, more responsibility, more opportunity – presentation skills become your leverage.
The most successful leaders I meet have a common advantage. It’s not just intelligence or business acumen. It’s not only excellent products, services, or commitment. It’s that they know how to present their ideas in a compelling, influential and memorable way. They structure their thinking, connect quickly, and communicate so their message resonates. They inspire people to take action.
Because here’s the brutal truth that hasn’t changed since I started by business in 1999!
It doesn’t matter how good your message is if no one’s listening.
In 2026, the stakes are higher (and the attention span is shorter)
What’s changed is the environment. Your audience is time-poor and overstimulated. They’re comparing you to every brilliant communicator they’ve seen online, plus every polished internal presenter they’ve sat through this quarter.
You might think you’re “just running a team meeting,” but your team might be silently hoping it feels like a motivational reset – not another reason to browse LinkedIn job ads.
You might think you’re “just speaking to a prospective client,” but they’ve likely already spoken to three competitors and are searching for a clear reason to choose you.
You might think you’re “just the technical expert with the charts,” but a senior stakeholder is watching how you frame information because they’re deciding whether to trust you with bigger conversations.
You might think you’re “just answering an email enquiry,” but the person might be a high-value buyer and you’re being judged on clarity, confidence, and professionalism.
Presentation skills really do matter – because they shape what people believe about you: your competence, your credibility, your leadership, your value.
The “gravitas gap” is real – and so is the solution!
Many execs have battled the so-called “gravitas gap” – that irritating perception that they’re not as authoritative or commanding as their peers. Bias exists, absolutely. But the good news is that executive presence is teachable. It’s built through language choices, structure, stance, and the ability to lead a room (or a camera) with calm certainty.
In 2026, the leaders who rise are the ones who can communicate with confidence and connection – without overexplaining, apologising, or disappearing behind their slides.
A 2026 upgrade: Your presence must work in-person and on-camera
If you want to future-proof your career, you need “dual presence”: the ability to own the room and the ability to own the screen.
On video calls, high performers create the feeling that they can see you – even through a lens. They look into the camera most of the time. They sound like they know what they’re talking about because they do. They don’t appear welded to notes. Their set-up is intentional: good light, clean audio, steady frame. The result is trust.
That’s executive presence in 2026: clarity under pressure, confidence without arrogance, connection without chaos.
The 10 timeless tips
If you want a practical starting point, here are ten tips that still work – now with a 2026 edge:
- Analyse the audience before you write. What are they thinking, feeling, and doing – and what change do you want to create?
- Build rapport fast. Show you understand their world before you ask them to enter yours.
- Rehearse strategically. Not word-for-word memorisation – rehearse structure, transitions, and your opening and closing minutes.
- Warm up your voice. Vocal quality signals credibility. A richer, steadier voice helps people listen longer.
- Stay audience focused. Especially online – speak with people, not at content.
- Don’t read your slides. Slides are a visual aid, not the presentation.
- Use your body with intention. Purposeful gestures add meaning; nervous movement subtracts authority.
- “See” your audience. In-person with eye contact; online by looking into the camera like it’s a human.
- Pause and breathe. Pauses create power. They also create comprehension.
- Ask clearly for what you want. If you want action, name the action.
If you’re leading in 2026, presenting is not optional
In a noisy world, the person who can speak clearly wins trust faster. They get decisions made. They gain respect. They sell ideas without selling their soul. They become the person people want in the room – and the person others refer upward.
That’s why investing in your speaking is not a “nice-to-have.” It’s career strategy.
If you’re ready to build these skills quickly and practically, you might explore Presentation skills training Sydney or presentation training Sydney options that focus on real business impact. For teams, a high-energy Presentation skills workshop can create immediate lift and shared language. And if you’re looking for structured development, Presentation courses Sydney or a focused Presentation skills course can help you show up with the kind of clarity and confidence that changes careers.
Who is Michelle Bowden?
MICHELLE BOWDEN is an authority on persuasive presenting in business. She’s run her Persuasive Presentation Skills Masterclass over 1050 times for more than 13,500 people over the past 26 years and her name is a synonym for ‘presentation skills’ in Australia. She’s the best-selling internationally published author of How to Present: the ultimate guide to presenting live and online (Wiley). Visit www.michellebowden.com.au
