Confidence in communication is not just about what you say—it is about how you organize your thoughts, how you move, and how you guide your audience through your message.

 

In this conversation with Dianna Booher, we explore why many professionals feel ignored in meetings—even when they have good ideas.

One of the key insights is surprisingly simple: people often lose the floor because they fail to structure their message. When you speak without signaling your intent, you invite interruption. Booher suggests a practical approach: preview your points. Say, “I’d like to mention three reasons…” and suddenly, people listen differently. You sound organized. You sound deliberate.

And when interruptions happen? Use language that reclaims your space:
“Pardon me, let me finish.”

Confidence is also visible before you speak. Your body language communicates immediately. Nervous movements—fidgeting, pacing, repetitive gestures—signal uncertainty. On the other hand, standing on the balls of your feet, using intentional gestures, and taking up space communicate energy and authority.

Another powerful idea is to model your natural, relaxed state. Think about how you behave when telling a story to friends. Your posture is open. Your gestures are natural. Booher challenges you to bring that same presence into formal settings.

Structure plays a critical role throughout. Without transitions, audiences get lost. With clear phrases like “let me give you an example” or “number two,” you guide listeners through your thinking. As Booher puts it, structure is essential to clarity.

Even experienced speakers face moments of uncertainty—like losing their train of thought. The difference is how they respond. Instead of freezing, Booher suggests acknowledging it, even involving the audience. That moment of authenticity can build rapport rather than diminish credibility.

Finally, for leaders, confidence is not just personal—it is cultural. If you interrupt, dismiss ideas, or dominate conversations, your team will hold back. But if you listen, invite input, and facilitate discussion, you create an environment where others grow more confident.

The message is clear: confidence is not a personality trait. It is a set of behaviors—structured thinking, intentional language, and deliberate presence.

And those behaviors can be learned, practiced, and mastered.

Listen to the full interview with Dianna Booher here.

 

Key Lessons from this conversation with Dianna Booher:

  • structure your message to hold the floor and avoid being interrupted
    “they don’t set themselves up to hold the floor… they set themselves up to be interrupted”
  • signal organization early by previewing your key points
    “before we go on, I’d like to mention three reasons…”
  • use clear phrases to regain control when interrupted
    “pardon me, let me finish”
  • body language communicates confidence before you speak
    “your body language communicates… from the moment you stand up”
  • avoid nervous movements and repetitive gestures
    “that’s nervous movement… they’re not confident about what they’re about to say”
  • model relaxed body language from natural settings
    “be aware of what your normal body language is when you are relaxed”
  • stand on the balls of your feet to project energy
    “you will look much more energetic”
  • use intentional gestures that match your message
    “make it intentional… lift it from my shoulder”
  • take up space deliberately to signal confidence
    “that person… they’re taking up space, that is confidence”
  • use pauses and reflection to convey thoughtfulness
    “I’m going to be very intentional… not just filling space with words”
  • memorize your opening and closing to anchor confidence
    “have it down cold”
  • use transition phrases to guide your audience
    “let me give you a concrete example… number two…”
  • structure creates clarity
    “structure is paramount to clarity”
  • handle memory lapses calmly
    “I just lost my train of thought… tell me what point did I just make?”
  • leaders build confidence by listening and facilitating
    “first thing is listen to them”

 

Listen to the podcast, Your Intended Message to sharpen your communication skills.

George Torok is the host of Your Intended Message podcast and the Speech Coach for Executives. Read to boost your presentation confidence and success?

Visit SpeechCoachforExecutives.com