Hall Of Fame Experts Share How To Master Your Presence At Work

Forbes

16-05-2025

Your personal brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room. It's your reputation, your promise, the perception people carry over time. But your presence is what they feel when you are in the room. It's the way you hold attention and how you make people feel. A strong brand gets people in the door. A strong presence keeps them listening and commands attention. It's what makes people remember what was said and how they felt hearing it. I've had conversations with more than a dozen Hall of Fame speakers who have spent years mastering this skill through experience, repetition, and connection. Why listen to them about how to master your presence at work? To be inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame, you must consistently deliver unforgettable presentations, demonstrate measurable impact, and be recognized by your peers as one of the top speakers in the world. I'm always humbled by how much I learn from them and the depth they bring to every conversation. I want to share with you what they told me about preparation, humor, clarity, listening, follow-through, and more to help you strengthen your presence at work.
Every expert I spoke to shared the value of preparation. Those who connect the most powerfully in a room often do much more work before they walk in. Those with a strong presence take the time to understand who they're speaking to, clarify their message, and think about how to follow up.
When I was younger, some of the biggest names in speaking were Zig Ziglar and Tom Hopkins. Tom, a sales training legend known for teaching millions how to close deals, told me he prepared for every event like it was the most important one of his life. He also followed up to seal the deal. He laughed and said, 'I followed up until they bought or died.' That kind of presence was reliable, and it made people feel special.
Sometimes people just need to hear a message in a unique way. Joe Calloway, known for helping leaders drive performance through focus, is another master at making people feel special. After one of his keynotes, a CEO pulled him aside and said, 'You said the same thing I've been telling them for years. But this time, they actually listened.' Joe is a master of the kind of presence that makes people pay attention. I can remember how he created a video sharing his experience with me interviewing him. Going above and beyond gave him a strong presence.
Humor and personality are often the most relatable ways to connect with people. The best speakers use both to help others drop their guard and listen. Using stories and moments that people can relate to helps break down barriers. Many of these speakers told me they make notes about stories that they make funnier or more relatable later. At work, that can be an effective way to share success stories and build a reputation as someone who is not only funny, but generous in sharing what worked.
Known for showing how small acts can have a big impact, if you've ever seen Mark Sanborn speak, you know he's funny, but that wasn't always the case. He told me that early on, he focused too much on content and forgot the importance of connection. People probably won't remember every slide, but they will remember how you made them feel.
Mikki Williams, known for her bold presence and theatrical delivery, said something I'll never forget: 'You're either memorable or you're forgettable. There is no in-between.' She is certainly memorable. She leans into who she was, big hair, bold clothes, strong voice, and uses humor that came from real life. She called it 'reliving, not retelling.' Her presence is undeniably dramatic, which makes her unforgettable.
Willie Jolley's story makes people laugh when he shares how he was working as a nightclub singer and got replaced by a karaoke machine. That was the moment he decided to pivot. He said, 'A setback is a setup for a comeback.' His humor helped him reframe failure into one of the biggest careers in speaking.
Larry Winget, known as the 'Pitbull of Personal Development,' was very clear that he wasn't trying to be liked. He focused on being consistent and candid. He told me, 'I love my time on stage, but I don't love everything it takes to get there.' What stood out most was how unapologetically himself he was, whether in cowboy boots or calling out workplace nonsense. He told a story about someone thanking him for sharing his passion, and he responded, 'That wasn't passion. That was excellence. I'm just good at my job.' That kind of confidence, delivered with humor and blunt honesty, is part of what makes him unforgettable.
Confidence and clarity often go hand in hand. You don't need more words to sound credible. You need to mean what you say and say it clearly. Many of the experts I spoke with said their presence improved once they stopped trying to be impressive and focused instead on being clear.
Ford Saeks, a business growth expert who helps leaders increase influence, said one of the biggest things that gets in the way of presence is overthinking. People try so hard to be perfect that they miss the moment. 'Done is more profitable than perfect,' he told me. And he's right. He also reminded me that presence goes beyond the stage. It shows up in your digital footprint. 'What people see when they Google you is part of your presence.'
Phil M. Jones, a master of word choice and persuasion, said the best communicators study the way words work. They pick their phrasing on purpose, so people feel understood.
There are moments when presence reveals itself in the reactions and behaviors of those around us. It might be how individuals respond in unexpected moments or in times of pressure.
Scott McKain, a branding expert and storyteller who focuses on how to create distinction, shared a moment where he was speaking at the White House and noticed Arnold Schwarzenegger sitting in the front row, fully engaged, taking notes. Even the best speakers can feel pressure to do well, and to see someone so famous hanging on his every word made a big impact on him.
Jay Baer, a marketing strategist who focuses on responsiveness, reminded me that presence shows up in how you respond under pressure. He talked about the importance of being useful in the moment. People remember leaders who are available, responsive, and real, especially when things go wrong.
Presence often comes down to noticing what others might miss. Several speakers talked about the power of listening, recognizing effort, and showing that people matter. These small, intentional moments reflect real engagement.
Randy Pennington, known for helping organizations build cultures of trust, explained that presence is about noticing. It means pausing to say thank you and giving recognition before someone leaves your team. If you wait too long, the moment passes. Presence is paying attention to how you respond now and not waiting until it's convenient.
Bob Burg, known for his deep belief in listening as a superpower, said the people who listen better than anyone else in the room are the ones others remember. He explained the value of offering your full attention. That level of focus is rare and often more powerful than anything you say.
Presence grows through deliberate practice, awareness, and consistency. The most influential speakers I talked to emphasized that presence is developed over time. It's how you show up when things are going well and how you respond when it's not.
Stacey Hanke, an expert who teaches how to stay influential in every interaction, said presence is a 'Monday to Monday' habit. You can't be great in a presentation and then disconnected in meetings. People notice the gaps. She has leaders record themselves, ask for honest feedback, and then work on showing up with the same level of influence in every setting.
Marilyn Sherman, who helps people stop settling, said people spend too much time sitting in the balcony when they belong in the front row. She told me that courage isn't always loud. Sometimes it's just showing up and saying, 'This matters.' She helps people spot where they've been holding back and take steps to change it.
Common Mistakes That Weaken Your Presence At Work
getty
Some of the most common ways people weaken their presence include:
Presence is not about being perfect. It's about being intentional and paying attention to what people need in the moment.
Tips To Improve Your Presence At Work
getty
Whether you give presentations or not, presence matters. It shows up in meetings, emails, interviews, and hallway conversations. Some of the best advice I heard from these experts included:
Your Presence At Work Is A Trainable Advantage
getty
I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn great insights from some of the best orators in the world. Their advice has helped me tremendously and can help you improve your presence at work if you focus on preparation, humor, clarity, listening, and follow-through. Every speaker I talked to shared examples of how presence was built through practice, paying attention, and remaining consistent. That's what made them stand out. You can do the same by listening more closely, preparing more intentionally, and following through. The people who do this well will leave an impression that lasts. That kind of presence earns trust, builds connection, and respect.