8 Rules for a Powerful Speech

After dozens of keynotes, team meetings, and investor calls,
I realized it’s not about being loud or “natural.”

It’s about being intentional.

Here are 8 rules that instantly upgrade how you speak:
(whether you’re on stage, in a pitch, or leading your team)

1/ Enter with intention

Walk in calmly. Take your space.
People mirror your energy.

2/ Let your hands talk

Loose, open gestures show confidence.
Fidgeting or hiding hands sends the opposite signal.

3/ Hook them early

Open with a surprise, a question, or a story.
You have 10 seconds to earn attention.

4/ Keep slides clean and clear

No novels. No bullet-point dumps.
One message per slide, max 10 words.

5/ Have a backup plan

Tech issues happen. What matters is how you handle them.
A calm tone and one good line go further than perfect slides.
6/ Turn numbers into meaning

“75% conversion rate” means little.
“3 out of 4 users took action” means everything.

7/ Pause with purpose

When you make your key point — stop.
Silence makes ideas stick.

8/ Handle questions with clarity

Answer simply. No filler words.
And never fake it. Honesty builds more trust than guessing.

The best speakers don’t try to impress.
They aim to connect.

And the more you simplify,
the more people will listen.