How to Speak With Presence as an Introvert
If you speak without shame, you can speak softly and be the most interesting person in the room.
It’s never about who’s the loudest. After all, strength is always inward first.
Here’s what to do.
Apply this old school lesson
You hate it when you have so much you want to say, then, “Dang, I lost my train of thought.”
Think before you speak.
A high school teacher of mine used to say, “Don’t be hooked on phonics” when drafting presentations.
This meant, don’t put every word you’ll say on the slides (to read verbatim), just the main points.
Get to the point. If there are multiple, cut them to 3–5.
Do this to maintain control
With any form or severity of anxiety, it’s easy to lose control over your body. Your head is pounding with excessive thoughts, your body enters fight-or-flight.
So take a few deep, intentional breaths.
This doesn’t require getting into a quiet place (if you’re out in public or in a room full of people), but if you must excuse yourself, do so.
