If You’re Just Trying to “Get Through It,” You’re Playing Too Small

I hear this all the time from smart, capable professionals when preparing for a presentation—especially women who are absolute powerhouses in every other area of their work:

“I just want to get through it.”

The presentation.

The leadership meeting.

The Board reports.

The moment everyone gets quiet and focuses their attention on the speaker.

It’s understandable. When the pressure’s on, the goal quietly shifts from connection and clarity to simply surviving without stumbling. Sure, you survive—but your message? It never even gets a chance to shine. Because here’s the truth:

Presentations delivered in survival mode rarely make an impact.

You end up rushing. You over-explain. You shrink. You second guess. You walk away thinking, “Ugh, I am glad it is over.”

Let me introduce you to Stan (not his real name). Stan is a seasoned sales rep. He was preparing for a high-stakes presentation to a potential client. He knew his product inside and out. He had answers to every possible question. He felt prepared… on paper.

But when we ran through the presentation together, his delivery felt crammed and chaotic. His slides were bursting with text. He wasn’t communicating—he was defending. His goal?

“I just want to get through it and make sure I don’t forget anything important.”

And that goal was holding him back.

So we flipped the script. Instead of focusing on getting through it, we leaned into:

• Letting go of the pressure to prove himself with every word

• Attending to the client and their needs—what they actually cared about

• Bringing intention and presence into how he showed up in the room

By the time he delivered the pitch, Stan didn’t just survive the presentation. He connected. He adapted. He captured the client’s attention. And yes—he won the business.

So what changed?

He stopped asking: “How do I not mess this up?” And started asking: “How can I utilize this moment to build trust and truly connect?”

That shift to the audience and their needs changed everything. It’s not about being more knowledgeable. Or perfect. Or proving your expertise. It’s about being intentional—about your audience’s desires, how you show up,  and the experience you create for others when you speak.

If you or your team are brilliant behind the scenes but underwhelming when the spotlight hits, let’s change that. This isn’t about just getting through it—it’s about making sure they get you.

#communication #publicspeaking #confidence #presentationskills #executivepresence #leadershipdevelopment #womensleadership #keynotespeaker #trainer #presentationskillscoach