Giving feedback on image and presence requires tact. Here’s a constructive way to open the conversation: 

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"Your expertise already carries weight, but small tweaks in how we present ourselves can enhance credibility. Have you ever thought about how your image influences first impressions?" 

"Since you’re increasingly engaging at senior levels, I wonder if elevating your presentation could reinforce the authority you already bring to the table." 

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This approach keeps the message constructive and aligned with their goals. 

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Suggested Role-Play: Review the Making Your Image Count module, then discuss what they like/dislike about the insights and what changes they’d consider implementing. 

If you want to be an influential leader or role model, being uplifting brings energy and positivity into the room. Being uplifting isn’t just about politeness—it makes people feel valued and motivated, reinforcing your leadership presence.  

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The way you greet people sets the tone for how they perceive you. 

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• Make Eye Contact & Smile – Confidence and warmth create an instant connection. 

• Use Their Name – Personalizes the interaction and builds rapport. 

• Offer a Firm, Confident Handshake – If appropriate, show assurance without overpowering. 

• Match Your Energy to the Setting – Be warm and engaging but adapt to the context. 

• Start with a Thoughtful Opener – Go beyond “How are you?” with something engaging: 

“Great to see you—how’s your week going?” 

“I hear you’ve been working on [project]—how’s it going?” 

• Project Energy & Presence – Your posture, tone, and enthusiasm shape the atmosphere. 

 

Suggested Approach: Either role-play this the person or have them practice it in private. 

It’s a skill many Gen Z, Millennials, shy or introverted people lack. Back-to-back, intensive fast-paced zoom-based meetings have exacerbated a common shortcoming - a failure to establish a rapport, a failure to make a connection with people and a failure to build the basis of a relationship and understanding.  

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Jumping straight into business makes conversations feel transactional. Small talk isn’t just filler—it builds trust, rapport, and engagement. 

Many Gen Z and Millennials struggle with this skill, focusing only on work topics. Encourage non-business conversation first (e.g., current events, location, shared interests) before transitioning into business discussions. 

Balance is key—2–4 minutes is ideal; 5–10 minutes if the connection is strong.

 

Suggested Approach: A talk through one. Ask how they would build rapport before a meeting. 

Suggestion 1: An Exercise  Ask them to introduce themselves in a high stakes meeting while projecting confidence through body language and voice control. 

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Suggestion 2: An Exercise Have them speak on a personal interest or hobby, structuring their speech with a clear beginning, middle, and end. They should adjust: 

✔ Pronunciation 
✔ Volume & Projection 
✔ Pitch & Tone 
✔ Pace & Pauses 

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Suggestion 3: Learn from Experts: Observing skilled newsreaders helps improve articulation, pacing, and delivery. 

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Suggestion 4: For Non-Native Speakers. Struggling with pronunciation? These YouTube channels offer excellent guidance: 

https://www.youtube.com/@EnglishwithLucy https://www.youtube.com/@mmmEnglish_Emma https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakEnglishWithVanessa 

Explaining a Complex Idea Simply Clear communication follows a structure. Encourage the KUBA framework to ensure their audience: 

 

• Knows what’s being discussed 

• Understands it clearly 

• Believes in its value 

• Acts because the case is compelling 

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Suggestion A Practical Exercise: Have them explain a complex topic in two minutes using KUBA principles. 

Persuasion requires more than logic—it needs to be relevant, substantiated, be seen to be worthwhile and communicated with impact. Requiring facts that are significant, and how they can be made most meaningful, for example by looking at multi-year implications vs single year ones and the consequences of action vs. inaction, such as risks or the cost of being left behind. 

Encourage the person to build meaningful reason why what they're proposing is worthwhile and communicate with impact, and structure, and applying the KUBA principle:

 

• Knows what you’re talking about 

• Understands it clearly 

• Believes in its impact 

• Acts because the case is compelling 

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Suggested Exercise: Ask them to pitch a proposal, making it clear, persuasive, and actionable. 

Some professionals make great points—then keep talking and dilute their impact. Help your team land their message, then pause. 

If your team has serial over-talkers, try a role play or talk-through exercise to help them make a strong point, pause, and move forward. 

​Leaders and role models have an ability to command the room.

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Whilst some people with charisma may appear to do this well it's a quality that others who may be high in IQ, analytically minded or simply more fact than people focused, who can command the room too!

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The following points will help them master such skills.

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• Open with Impact – Start strong with a compelling question, statistic, or bold statement to grab attention. Example: “Did you know 70% of decisions are influenced by first impressions?” 

• Establish Relevance – Quickly explain why your message matters to your audience—connect it to their goals, challenges, or pain points. 

• Structure with Clarity – Follow a clear, logical flow: Problem → Solution → Proof → Action to keep engagement high. 

• Substantiate with Evidence – Use data, examples, or stories to add credibility and make your points more memorable. 

• Vary Speaking Pace & Tone – Speak slowly and deliberately when making key points, pause for emphasis, and increase volume slightly to highlight critical insights. 

• Use Body Language – Lean in slightly, make purposeful gestures, and maintain eye contact to reinforce your conviction. 

• Build to a Peak – When approaching your key message, slow down, pause just before, and then deliver it with confidence and energy. 

• Close with a Clear Call to Action – Summarize the key takeaway and make it actionable. Example: “Based on this, the next step is…” 

• Otherwise Engage with a Question – End with an open-ended question to invite discussion and keep the conversation going. 

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Role-Play / Talk Through: Ask the person to think of a real scenario where they need to persuade or influence—whether a sales pitch, leadership presentation, or stakeholder meeting. Have them structure their message using Problem → Solution → Proof → Action and practice delivering it. 

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During the talk-through, focus on opening impact, pacing, pausing, vocal variety, and body language to enhance their presence. Encourage self-reflection: What worked well? What could be stronger? 

Key strategies: 

✔ Get to the point fast – Senior leaders are time-poor. Open with the key issue. 
✔ Be structured & concise – Use What, Why, Impact, Next Steps frameworks. 
✔ Know your facts – Expect tough questions. Anticipate objections. 
✔ Speak with confidence – Avoid hedging words like “I think” or “Maybe”. 
✔ Tie everything to business impact – Why does this matter at their level? 

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Role-Play: Simulate a 5-minute executive pitch where the participant presents a proposal to a C-level leader. The other person should challenge them with direct, high-level questions to test their clarity and confidence. 

The top methods: 

Practice – Repetition builds certainty. This works incredibly well. They may wish to do so, in private or in a role play with you or others.
Positive Self-Affirmations. Giving themselves a PEP talk. This is a proven technique. Rewires their inner voice. 
Body Language & Presence . This is a quick win. Look good, feel better, project confidence. 

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It's not uncommon for individuals in senior or high-impact specialist roles to lack confidence. If this is a challenge for someone on your team, ask them what techniques work best for them and how they can apply those strategies effectively. 

Pushing Back on Unrealistic Deadlines. A senior leader asks for something impossible. How do you push back with confidence while maintaining credibility? 

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Suggested Role-Play: Simulate a deadline negotiation where the participant must diplomatically push back while offering a workable alternative. 

Put on the spot with a tough question? How can they stay composed and respond with clarity. One of the best ways to handle such a situation, is firstly to clarify it, what the situation is, what the potential implications are, including timelines and what the possible options are, and the merits of these or otherwise. In other words clarify first, gather the appropriate facts, and in doing so, it buys time, and equips you to respond in a stronger manner.

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Possible Role-Play: Ask them an unexpected question and have them practice answering under pressure. 

Presenting to an audience differs from presenting in a meeting. 

✔ Seminars or events – Requires strong presence, storytelling, and audience engagement. 
✔ Meetings – More conversational, interactive, and decision-driven. 

Possible Suggestion Talk Through: Ask them to explain the difference and practice a presentation intro. 

The Point of View (POV) Approach is critical when influencing high-stakes decisions. 

Effective in: 

✔ Executive discussions – Leaders expect clear stances, not just data. 
✔ Challenging the status quo – Helps drive new thinking. 
✔ Sales & consulting – Positions you as a trusted advisor. 

 

Role-Play: Ask them to present a clear, compelling POV on a business decision.