Give it some beans: why energy matters in public speaking
You’ve got to be generous with your energy on stage.
I’ve sat through a lot of presentations recently and, if I’m honest, I’ve found myself bored. Not because the content was dull — far from it — but because there was no energy in the room. Everything felt flat. It was as if the speaker was having a quiet one-to-one conversation, rather than dialling it up for an audience.
And that’s often the missing piece in public speaking.
Why energy is essential in presentations
Energy is what creates connection. You can have the most thoughtful, well-structured content in the world, but without energy it simply doesn’t land. It’s like turning the brightness down on a screen — the message is still there, but no one can quite see it clearly.
When you bring energy to your presentation skills, people don’t just hear you — they feel you.
Energy is contagious. Audiences pick it up instantly, often without even realising it. As a speaker, your role isn’t just to deliver information; it’s to help people care about it. That’s what turns a competent talk into an engaging one.
How to bring more energy to your speaking
Being an engaging speaker isn’t about being louder or more “performative.” It’s about being intentional with your energy and using it to connect.
To do that, you need something to give.
If you’ve been speaking for a while, you might be able to switch it on when needed. But the most effective speakers don’t rely on that. They prepare their energy in advance.
Simple ways to raise your energy before a presentation
Before you step on stage, take a few minutes to actively lift your energy levels:
Move your body — go for a walk, stretch, or do a quick burst of movement
Get some fresh air or step outside
Do a short vocal warm-up to bring your voice to life
Laugh, chat, or do something that lifts your mood
Sing (badly is absolutely fine)
These aren’t gimmicks. They help regulate your nervous system, focus your mind, and channel adrenaline in a useful way — all of which improve your confidence in public speaking.
Energy and audience engagement
When you step onto the stage, your job is to bring that energy into the room and share it.
This is where many speakers hold back. They pitch their delivery as if they’re speaking to one person, when in reality they’re speaking to many. A room needs more from you. It needs clarity, presence, and a level of energy that reaches the back row.
That doesn’t mean becoming someone you’re not. It means amplifying what’s already there so your message can actually land.
Because great audience engagement isn’t just about what you say — it’s about how you make people feel.
Final thought
This isn’t a one-to-one conversation.
It’s one-to-many.
And if you want your message to stick, you have to give it some beans.
