Your metrics are solid. Your hiring managers love you. Your team thinks you’re great.
You’ve checked all the boxes on the path to becoming a next-level leader!
But the promotion hasn’t come yet.
So you sit there – frustrated – in a middle management (or lower) position wondering what the heck you need to do to level up.
Then one day, you finally get up enough nerve to ask your boss what’s holding you back and they can’t seem to articulate the problem.
But I will.
While there could be a variety of things keeping you down, I believe the answer has very little to do with your performance.
Sure, you have to be good at your job but the REAL reason you haven’t advanced is because the people ABOVE your boss haven’t blessed it yet.
So your job from this point forward should be to focus your attention on impressing THEM.
And the best way to do that is by “speaking”.
But not just any speaking…
Public speaking. (GASP!)
Why Public Speaking Is The Key To Your Next Promotion
Early in my career, I thought being an expert would get me promoted. I watched people less qualified leap-frog me because they were comfortable leading conversations and speaking in front of groups.
Most of the time they didn’t even know what they were talking about! But it didn’t matter.
The truth is, your executives feel most comfortable with leaders who can command a room, tell a compelling story, and inspire confidence.
When YOU look good THEY look good.
It wasn’t until I realized this and got out from behind my computer screenthat my career started to take off.
But it didn’t happen overnight. I had to build the skill one step at a time. Here’s how I did it and how you can too!
How To Get Your “Reps” In
It’s well known that public speaking is one of the most terrifying things a human can do. And there are a million resources out there that can help you learn the tactics. I recommend you dive into those resources – but this article isn’t about learning how to speak.
It’s about getting in your “reps”.
In order to become a clear and confident speaker, you have to practice. So below, I’m sharing what I like to call the “speaking ladder”. It’s 10 ways you can start practicing this week.
The key is to start in small familiar groups, climbing a new rung of the ladder along the way.
Here Are Ten Examples That Illustrate Increasing Levels Of Exposure When Building Your Brand In Front Of Company Leaders:
Rung 1: Team Meetings. This is your safest space. Volunteer to lead every meeting you can. Practice articulating your points clearly and try out new speaking techniques.
Rung 2: Department Updates. This is a step higher than your immediate team. Maybe it’s your broader team (like all of talent acquisition) OR maybe it’s your entire HR department.
Rung 3: Run a project. I’ve found projects to be one of the most difficult speaking engagements because you have to command the room, keep people motivated, and think on your feet.
Rung 4: Cross-Functional Updates. If there’s an update to be given to another team, raise your hand to present it. It’s a great way to build your brand with a different audience and field questions that you weren’t expecting.
Rung 5: Leadership Team Meetings. The clients you support have monthly leadership team meetings. So instead of sending your next quarterly recruiting update via email, ask for 10-15 minutes on their leadership team agenda. It’s usually a bigger audience with bigger titles in the room.
Rung 6: Large Internal Meetings. Find out when bigger meetings are happening. All-hands meetings, multi-department meetings, executive off-sites, etc. These bigger rooms are a great way to get in front of larger groups of tens or even hundreds of people.
Rung 7: Internal Videos. Are you filming a recruiting video for social media? A commercial? Or a training video? Be the person who volunteers. Speaking in front of a camera is a different skill set that transfers well to in-person speaking.
Rung 8: Podcasts & Webinars. When you’re comfortable speaking internally, consider some external speaking opportunities. Podcasts and webinars are a great way to show your executive team that you’re a thought leader outside the company.
Rung 9: Industry Panels. Find some smaller, industry conferences and reach out to the organizer. They’re always looking for speakers. To start, share the stage on a panel or offer to do a break out session. These are both low pressure ways to speak in front of your peers.
Rung 10: Conference Presentation. When you’re ready, you’ll want to develop your own branded presentation and look to own the stage with a unique message. This becomes what you’re known for in your industry. For example, I often speak on the topic of “Recruiting Operations” at conferences.
Getting Started Isn’t Easy.
Most people think you need to speak at a conference in order to build your public speaking skills. But I think that’s the wrong way to think about it.
I shared 7 or 8 ways you can build this skill without needing to leave the comfort of your own headquarters!
Speaking in front of leaders in your own company is not easy, but it’s easier than speaking in front of people you don’t know.
And getting these opportunities in front of your own leaders is the best way to signal to your boss (and your boss's boss) that you’re ready for the next level.
When you can speak clearly and confidently in front of groups, people naturally see you as a leader and you will find yourself on the short list for the next promotion.
So, don’t let your career be defined by the great work you do in silence. Raise your hand and start building your career on center stage.
The best day to start doing that is today.
// Supporting Resources
Here is a list of high-value assets based on the article.
Books to Read…
Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds by Carmine Gallo: A brilliant breakdown of what makes the best presentations so effective. It’s a practical, evidence-based guide to crafting and delivering memorable talks. Link Here
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers: An outstanding book for tackling the root psychological barriers that cause public speaking anxiety. It provides powerful tools to build confidence from the inside out. Link Here
Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences by Nancy Duarte: A deep dive into the structure of great presentations, showing how to connect with an audience emotionally. This is for the leader ready to move from simply informing to truly persuading. Link Here
Podcasts to listen to…
HBR IdeaCast: "The Look & Sound of Leadership": This episode explores how the sound of your voice—your pace, pitch, and volume—impacts your executive presence and credibility. Listen Here
Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast: "Speaking Up Without Freaking Out: How to Tackle Communication Anxiety": Host Matt Abrahams from Stanford GSB provides science-backed techniques to manage speaking anxiety and reframe it as excitement. Listen Here
Articles and Blog Posts to Read…
"To Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking, Stop Thinking About Yourself" by Sarah Gershman: This article offers practical advice on preparation, practice, and mindset shifts to build genuine confidence before you even step on stage. Read Here
"Mastering Communication with PREP framework" by Priya Chaney: A fantastic, in-depth blog post that breaks down the PREP framework with clear examples. It's a go-to resource for mastering impromptu speaking. Read Here
"How to Give a Killer Presentation" by Chris Anderson: A data-driven look at what senior leaders actually want to see in a business presentation, emphasizing clarity and brevity over complexity. Read Here
Videos to Watch…
Julian Treasure: "How to speak so that people want to listen" (TED Talk): A brilliant talk on the "how" of speaking—the vocal toolbox of pace, pitch, timbre, and volume—and why it matters for engagement. Watch Here
Dananjaya Hettiarachchi: "I See Something in You" (Toastmasters World Champion Speech): An incredible example of storytelling, vocal variety, and stage presence. It's a masterclass in what a well-delivered speech looks and feels like. Watch Here
Social Media Posts…
LinkedIn Post by an executive coach on Executive Presence: This post breaks down executive presence into three components: gravitas, communication, and appearance, providing a clear model for aspiring leaders. See Post Here
Twitter Thread by Sahil Bloom on the Pyramid Principle: A fantastic thread explaining the "Pyramid Principle" (starting with the reasoning first), a favorite communication strategy in consulting and executive circles. See Thread Here
Instagram Post by @VanessaVanEdwards on conversation starters: A visually engaging carousel that provides tips for starting conversations, a foundational skill for networking and feeling comfortable speaking to new people before a presentation. See Post Here