How leaders improve presentations

Record your practice presentations and ask for high-quality feedback

After a presentation, people ask “How was that?”

And they hear: “It was good. Maybe slow down a bit.”

That is not feedback. That is reassurance.

The issue is timing and specificity.

If you ask for feedback after the presentation your audience has not been primed to analyse anything properly. They are relying on memory, not observation. They default to generalities because it feels safer.

As a result, nothing meaningful changes.

The shift: treat feedback as part of preparation, not reflection

Serious presenters do not wait until the end.

They build feedback into the development process.

Before the real presentation, they rehearse in conditions that allow for analysis, not just delivery. They tell reviewers exactly what to look for. They gather evidence. They refine. Then they repeat.

This is the difference between hoping you will perform well and engineering a strong performance.

If you want a broader view on what separates average presentations from truly memorable ones, this is explored in “What makes a memorable leadership presentation?”

The Speak and Present Feedback Form

What high-quality feedback actually looks like

I have given structured feedback to over 1,000 speakers using a framework I have refined over the last fifteen years.

Across conference stages, leadership teams, and speaking competitions, the same pattern holds.

The feedback that creates change is specific, observable and actionable.

For example:

Weak feedback: “Your eye contact could improve”

Useful feedback: “You gave the left side of the room about 20% of your attention. If you stand slightly left of centre during the ‘future opportunities’ section, you will naturally include them more.”

Weak feedback: “That point was unclear”

Useful feedback: “At 5min 30s, you said “our biggest problem is customer retention” but rushed it. Add a pause before and after the phrase to make it land.”

One can be ignored. The other can be implemented immediately.

The most powerful tool you are probably not using

The single most effective development tool I use with clients is simple:

Record yourself. Then analyse it properly.

Not casually. Systematically.

Watch your recording three times:

1. Audio only (don’t look at the screen) - Focus entirely on your voice. Pitch, pace, power, pause and filler words.

   
   

2. Visuals only (no sound) - Focus on body language. Movement. Eye contact. Stage presence.

   
   

3. Full playback. Assess how voice and visuals work together

   
   

Most people never do this… but it’s what the pros do.

I request feedback like this for every major presentation I give. Including global speaking competitions. After my last competition speech, I recorded it and sent it to five expert speakers I trust. I will not reach a point where I stop doing this. There is always room to improve.

How to get valuable feedback (step-by-step)

If you have a high-stakes presentation in the next 1–2 weeks, do this:

1. Run a full rehearsal and film it. Treat it like the real thing. Stand up. Deliver it properly.

2. Analyse it yourself (properly). Use the three-pass method:• Audio only• Visual only• Full delivery

This alone will highlight issues most people never notice.

3. Send it to the right people. Not just anyone.

Choose people who are strong presenters themselves. Ideally people who speak regularly at a high level, understand audience dynamics and are comfortable giving direct feedback. If you don't know people who can do that, Speak and Present can help improve your presentation.

4. Brief them properly. Do not ask: “What do you think?”

Ask for specific feedback on:

• Your use of voice

• Your body language and use of space

• The clarity and impact of your visuals

• Whether your structure is logical and easy to follow

• How clear and powerful your message is

• On a scale of 1–10 how much does your presentation make them care

And be explicit: “I’m not looking for reassurance. I need honest, specific feedback that will help me improve.”

5. Prime them to observe. Ask them to make notes as they watch, not afterwards.

This is critical. It shifts feedback from memory to evidence.

The mistake even experienced presenters make

Even strong presenters fall into this trap:

They seek validation instead of improvement.

They show their presentation when it is already “good enough” and hope to hear confirmation...That is the fastest way to plateau.

If you want to improve quickly, you have to invite discomfort. You have to ask for precision and you have to choose people who are capable of giving valuable feedback.

This is not a one-off fix

This process works.

But only if you repeat it.

You cannot do this once and become the perfect presenter.

This is training.

Each cycle: You identify weaknesses, you make targeted improvements, you test again.

Over time, the gains compound.

Like going to the gym, consistency builds strength.

What happens when you do this properly

If you apply this approach consistently: Your message becomes clearer and more memorable, your delivery becomes more controlled and deliberate, weak habits like filler words reduce quickly, your audience engages more and responds more thoughtfully, you are taken more seriously at a senior level

And most importantly... You stop guessing whether your presentation is effective. You know it is!

If you want to accelerate this process and get expert, structured feedback on your presentations, you can find more about training and coaching here.

If you are also interested in the thinking behind this approach and what makes senior-level presentations truly land, read more here.