You Have Less Than a Second to Influence How People See You

When people talk about public speaking, they picture the stage. The lights. The slides. The performance. But your reputation is built long before any presentation begins. Most impressions are formed before your first word. In the way you enter a room. In how you make eye contact. In the steadiness of your breathing as a conversation begins. Your audience’s brain makes a trust decision in under one second. That moment is where leadership truly shows up. And it happens everywhere. On camera. In meeting rooms. In elevators. Even in silence. High performing leaders understand that communication is constant. Your presence is your message. Here are the strategies I teach leaders to win that first second.

1. PPPP: Purpose, People, Point, Payoff

The biggest reason communication fails is not delivery. It is confusion. If you cannot clearly articulate:

Why you are speaking
Who you are speaking to
What the one key message is
What must happen because of it

Then the audience cannot follow you.

Clarity is your authority. When you know your message, you deliver it with certainty.

2. Record Yourself and Watch Without Sound

The camera reveals the signals you do not notice:

A nervous shift of weight
Eyes that dart instead of connect
A smile that fades when you listen
Shoulders that say uncertainty even while your words say confidence

Watch yourself on mute and ask: Would I trust this person? Would I be persuaded by them? Your body speaks faster than you do. Make sure it speaks the truth.

3. Perfect Your Entrance and Exit

People remember beginnings and endings more than anything in between. Entrance:

Breathe before you move
Establish eye contact with calm confidence
Own the space before you speak Exit:
Close with intent
Pause and hold your ground
Leave them with a clear emotional conclusion

This is not performance. This is discipline. Your entrance creates the first impression. Your exit becomes your reputation.

4. Rehearse Presence Everywhere

Your stage is expanding. Hybrid workplaces, digital communication and fast decisions mean that presence matters in more moments than ever before. Every interaction is a moment of influence:

Boardroom updates
One to one discussions
First introductions
WhatsApp voice messages
Interview panels
Fundraising pitches
Feedback conversations

Practice your tone where it matters most. Your leadership is judged in micro moments.

5. Control the First Breath

Many leaders underestimate the power of breathing. Your first breath is your first impression. A rushed breath signals stress. A grounded breath signals control. Take one full breath before you speak. That pause tells the audience you are ready. And it reminds your nervous system that you are in charge.

6. Speak With Alignment

Your message is only as strong as your alignment. When your voice, body and intent agree, people listen. To show alignment:

Hold steady posture
Match your tone to your message
Pause where meaning matters
Speak with conviction that feels earned

Presence communicates credibility. People follow the leaders who feel sure of themselves.

Leadership Lives in the Smallest Seconds

You have less than a second to show what kind of leader you are. Not because people are impatient. But because the brain is efficient. That is not pressure. That is opportunity. Mastering presence is mastering influence. When your communication is intentional, your leadership becomes undeniable. Your voice has power. Make sure the first second proves it.

For Leaders Ready to Strengthen Their Presence

If you want to elevate how people see you and respond to you in every room you enter, I work privately with senior leaders through my Executive Presence Coaching Program.

We focus on: