How to Be Engaging in Work Presentations

We’ve all sat through presentations where the speaker was technically “good” — clear voice, straightforward content, polished slides — but… our minds wandered anyway and we remembered nothing after!

Here’s the truth: Being clear is not the same as being compelling.

If you want your audience to lean in, not tune out, you need to go beyond just delivering information. You need to engage. Here’s how:

1. Interact with them, don’t speak at them

Make your audience feel like part of a conversation. Ask rhetorical questions. Reference shared experiences. Use “you” more than “I.”

Instead of:

“Our leadership program improved team collaboration across departments.”

Try:

“Quick show of hands — how many of you have ever led a project where one department just wasn’t on the same page? …Exactly. That’s what we set out to fix.”

2. Start with a hook!

They say that an audience decides within 7 seconds whether to listen to you or not. 

But how much can you actually say in 7 seconds? Not much! Audiences begin forming opinions about you the moment you step on stage — based on your posture, facial expression, eye contact, and tone of voice.

 What this means for speakers:

You don’t need to be perfect in 7 seconds — but you do need to:

• Project confidence (real eye contact, open posture)
• Show warmth or presence (smile!)
• and…
• Open with a hook: a story, a question, a surprising fact — anything that disrupts the pattern and grabs the audience’s attention.

Instead of:

“Let’s begin by reviewing the current trends in patient engagement.”

Try:

“One in three patients leaves their appointment confused about what to do next. That number hasn’t changed in a decade — despite advances in medicine and technology.” (this is the hook!) 

And then tell the audience why they should listen to you by on e ring the hook to your presentation:

 “So today, we’re going to explore why that gap persists — and what we can do to close it, both at the system level and in everyday conversations with patients.”

3. Vary your voice and pace

I always say that Monotony is the death of a presentation. Use vocal variety to emphasize key points, signal transitions, and be energetic and enthusiastic about what you’re saying! 

4. Tell stories, not just facts

People remember feelings, not bullet points. Stories make us feel and they provide real life proof of your argument! 

Wrap your message in a story or a case study — even a short one — to make it memorable and relatable.

5. Make eye contact — even on Zoom

Connection is made through real eye contact. If you’re in person, look at everyone in the room. Let your eyes connect with each audience member for 3-4 seconds before moving on to the next person. On video, look into the camera lens — not at the faces on your screen— so your audience feels like you’re speaking directly to them.

When you combine small, intentional habits like these — voice, stage presence, storytelling, and connection with the audience— you don’t just engage. You create credibility and trust. And that is what keeps people listening!

👉🏽 Want personalized feedback on your presentation style?

I help speakers turn good content into unforgettable delivery.

Email me HERE to book a free discovery call.