A great speaker acts like they deserve to be there.*

In some ways, this encapsulates everything we need to know about the nebulous terms “executive presence,” “confidence,” and “charisma.” When you know you’re going to say something worth hearing, a point of view worth sharing, that knowledge affects everything about how you show up.

A person we experience as being “a great speaker” makes us feel like listening to them is time well spent. We trust them with our attention because they behave as though they are worth our attention. The behaviors that comprise “deserves to be there” may not be the same from one person to another, but when we see them, we know it. 

Additionally, we sense when a speaker feels like they don’t deserve our attention. Those behaviors, too, are unmistakable. 

If you want to make an impact on your audience, if you want them to trust you with their time and focus, first you need to believe in yourself. When you truly, deeply know that you deserve to be there, others will think so, too.

*A small note: Not everyone who thinks they deserve to be there is automatically a great speaker, but you can’t be a great speaker without this behavior.