The secret is...not letting your nerves take over your authority. Most leaders think they’re doing a great job when they’re in front of their audience, but they’re making one " Big Invisible" mistake...

I have facilitated and observed more than 400 sessions with different speakers, trainers, and facilitators, and I see the same mistakes over and over.

You know your business/job inside and out. But the second you step in front of your audience, your body language starts telling a completely different story than your words.

This "Presence Gap" is a silent career killer. If you don't fix these habits, you’re not just giving a boring speech—you’re losing the trust of your audience and your team.

So, let me help you out.

Here are the 4 mistakes that are secretly killing your credibility.

Let’s dive in.

Mistake #1: You start with a "polite" throat-clear instead of a hook. 

Most leaders/communicators waste the first 30 seconds—the most important part of their presentation is the first 30 seconds because this is where the communicator builds the first layer of credibility— They waste it by saying "Thanks for having me" or "Can everyone see my slides?" It’s a total energy killer and your audience thinks, “Oh, this is going to be boring”.

So, instead of doing that...

Do this:

·       Open with a bold statement that makes people look up from their phones.

·       Drop a statistic that actually impacts their daily lives or the company's bottom line.

·       Lead with a 15- to 30-second story that explains exactly why this meeting matters.

·       Ask a question that forces the audience to think and engage with you.

Your goal is to be memorable. Worry about being polite and looking good later.

Mistake #2: You treat your slides like a teleprompter. 

Nothing kills your authority faster than turning your back to the room to read bullet points. If your audience can read the slide, they don't need you there.

Speak to the slide NOT from the slide.

Remember... You are the movie, your slides are the subtitles.

Keep the text minimal so that you remain the primary source of truth and leadership in the room.

I do a lot of technical training, and a lot of PowerPoint presentations are very wordy. If this is the case, pick the core message of the slide and speak on that message. Do not read the slide word by word.

Mistake #3: You’re terrified of a little bit of silence. 

We use fillers like – "um," "uh," "so," and “right” because we’re scared of the gap between thoughts. But that verbal annoying noise makes you sound unsure of yourself. It kills your confidence and credibility fast.

So here’s a little action plan for you...

·       Record your next speech to see which "filler" words you use.

·       Try the "Power Pause"—literally just close your mouth when you finish a point.

·       Keep your sentences short so you don't get caught in an "and-uh" loop.

·       Take a breath. It gives the audience a second to actually digest what you said.

I was observing a presenter one time, and the guy used the filler “Right” more than 100 times in one hour. He lost his audience, including me, in the first 10 minutes. It was painful./

Silence isn't awkward, it helps you build authority.

Mistake #4: You’re "sprinkling" your eyes across the room. 

A lot of communicators do the "lighthouse" move— They constantly scan the room without actually seeing anyone. It looks weird, and it can make people uncomfortable. Instead, try to finish a full sentence while looking at one specific person before moving your sight to a different spot.

It turns a massive presentation into a series of 1-on-1 conversations, which feels way more natural for everyone in the room.

When you fix these small but big habits, you’ll stop being a " Just a Presenter" and you’ll be seen as an authority in your field.

That’s it for this week!

Be on the lookout for next week’s reading, it’s going to be great!

Before you go: This is how I can help you…

Read more letters here: www.nextlevel39.beehiiv.com

Interesting Fact…