Presentational Speaking: The Skill Every Graduate Should Have (But Most Don’t)

Welcome back, colleagues. I’m George Sloane, Dean of Myford University—your go-to source for practical, no-fluff education that helps you think, speak, and lead better—without wasting years or mountains of money.

Today we’re digging into a skill that every college graduate, MBA, and PhD holder should have mastered—but many haven’t:

Presentational speaking.

Also known as public speaking. Business presenting. Executive communication.
Call it what you want—it’s all about one thing:

Standing in front of a group and clearly, confidently, and effectively delivering a message that lands.

Now here’s the wild part:
Many studies show people fear public speaking more than death.
Let that sink in.

More people would rather be in the coffin than giving the eulogy.

That’s nuts. And it doesn’t have to be that way.

Because here’s the truth:

Speaking before a group isn’t that complicated.
But the ability to do it well?
It’s one of the most valuable skills you can develop—personally, professionally, and financially.

And the best part?

You can get good at it. Fast.

You don’t need to be a “natural.” You don’t need perfect grammar, a TED stage, or a booming voice.

You just need a little practice and a few secrets—which I’m going to give you now.

Why Presentational Speaking Matters (A Lot)

Let’s start with why this matters:

• Clarity creates confidence. When you speak well, people trust you more—even if your message is simple.
• Visibility creates opportunity. The one who presents is often the one who gets promoted, funded, or followed.
• Influence scales through communication. If you want to lead, teach, sell, or grow—at some point, you need to speak in front of others.

Whether you're pitching a client, running a team meeting, teaching a concept, or delivering a eulogy—you’re presenting.

And doing it well makes a difference.

Why Most People Struggle

Let’s call out the usual suspects:

• “I hate being the center of attention.”
• “I’m afraid I’ll forget what to say.”
• “I get nervous. My hands shake. My voice cracks.”
• “What if people judge me?”
• “What if I bomb?”

Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth: None of those are actual problems.
They’re symptoms of not having a plan.

Once you understand the framework and practice just a little, the fear fades and the confidence shows up.

The 8 Secrets to Presenting Like a Pro

Ready to level up? Here’s what I teach (and personally use) to nail presentations.

1. Know Your Audience

“Speak to the people in the room—not the version of you that’s nervous in your head.”

Before you ever open PowerPoint, ask:

• Who are they?
• What do they care about?
• What do they want or need?
• What are they struggling with?
• What do they already know—and what do they think they know?

If you don’t know your audience, you’re just guessing.

Talk to them, not at them. Make your message about them, not you.

2. Know Your Material (Without Slides)

“If the power goes out and your notes vanish—can you still deliver?”

You should be able to give the entire talk without slides, without notes, without handouts.

That doesn’t mean you memorize every word. It means you know your key points, structure, and flow cold.

Use slides as support, not as a crutch.

When you own the material, your delivery becomes relaxed, confident, and credible.

3. Make It a Friendly Conversation

“Don’t lecture. Don’t perform. Just talk to people.”

The best speakers don’t sound like actors.
They sound like friends sharing something important.

Be warm. Be conversational. Use stories. Ask questions.
Engage the audience. Involve them.

Try phrases like:

• “Raise your hand if this sounds familiar…”
• “Anyone else ever feel like this?”
• “Here’s something I wish someone had told me earlier…”

People engage when they feel included.

4. Be Personable. Don’t Just Read.

Reading slides or a script word-for-word is a guaranteed way to lose the room.

“If I wanted to be read to, I’d open a book.”

Instead:

• Look people in the eyes.
• Move a little (don’t pace like a caged animal).
• Smile when it makes sense.
• Be human.

Speak like you care. Because if you don’t, why should they?

5. Give Them the Gift of Time

“No one ever complains that a presentation ended early.”

If you’ve got 30 minutes, aim for 24.
If you’ve got 15, shoot for 12.

Always leave time for questions—and make it known that you’re giving them time back. It builds goodwill.

Try this:

“I’ll keep this brief and give you a few minutes back. That way, you leave with value and time to spare.”

That makes you a pro—and someone they’ll want to listen to again.

6. Keep Your Slides Simple

“Your slides are there to support you, not to compete with you.”

A common sin? The Eye Test Chart Slide—full of text, bullet points, data, and maybe a random photo or two.

Don’t do that.

Use slides to highlight key points, not to dump your script.
Use fewer words. More visuals. Less noise.

Your audience should be listening to you, not reading ahead.

7. Use Structure: The “Tell ’Em” Model

Here’s an old-school method that works:

Tell ’em what you’re going to tell ’em.
Tell ’em.
Tell ’em what you told ’em.

This creates rhythm, clarity, and retention.

For example:

• "Today I’m going to share 3 secrets to delivering a better presentation…"
• Then you share them.
• Then you summarize: “So to recap: know your audience, simplify your slides, and leave them with value.”

It feels organized and polished—even if you’re new at this.

8. Practice In Front of People

“You don’t get better in your head. You get better out loud.”

Find low-stakes ways to speak:

• Team meetings
• Local groups or clubs
• Community events
• Toastmasters
• Speaking to a mirror (yes, really)

And get feedback. Ask:

• What made sense?
• What felt too long or too fast?
• What stuck with you?

Every time you speak, you’re improving. It adds up fast.

Bonus Tip: Start with a Story, Not a Joke

“Don’t open with a joke. Start with something real.”

Everyone tells you to start with a joke. But unless you’re a seasoned comic, that can fall flat fast.

Instead, share a relatable story from your own life—a challenge, a mistake, a breakthrough, a moment of clarity. Nothing fancy. Just real.

Stories build connection. They make you human. And they immediately draw people in.

Even better? Telling a story helps calm your nerves. It’s familiar territory—and it grounds you before you dive into your main points.

So instead of:

“Knock knock…”

Try:

“Let me tell you about the first time I completely bombed a presentation…”

You’ll have them hooked—and you’ll feel in control.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Just to keep you honest, here are some traps to dodge:

• Overstuffing – Too many ideas, not enough clarity.
• Talking too fast – Slow down. Breathe. Pause. Let it land.
• Forgetting to rehearse – Don’t wing it. Practice shows.
• Overusing filler words – “Um,” “like,” “you know” dilute your impact.
• Apologizing or self-deprecating – Own your message. No need to undercut yourself.

Final Takeaway

Presentational speaking isn’t magic. It’s a muscle.
The more you flex it, the stronger it gets.

And here's the best part:

You’re already more capable than you think.

You’ve had conversations. Told stories. Explained things to others. You’re halfway there.

Now all you need is a structure, a few reps, and a little nerve.

So start where you are.
Say yes to the next speaking opportunity.
Don’t try to be perfect—just try to be present and clear.

We’ll keep building this skill together, right here at Myford University.

Until then—

Get clear. Get confident. Get heard.

See you next time.