What Makes a Good Public Speaker? 6 Qualities Great Speakers Share
- Dec 15, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 29
by Stephanie Bickel
What makes a good public speaker?
Many people assume it's charisma. Others think it's confidence or the ability to command a stage.
While those qualities can certainly help, they aren't what people remember most.
The best public speakers communicate ideas that are clear, meaningful, and memorable. They know how to connect with an audience, simplify complex information, and inspire people to think differently or take action.
After more than 25 years of coaching executives and studying some of the world's most effective communicators, I've noticed the same qualities appear again and again. Every great speaker has a different personality and style, but these six habits consistently set them apart.
1. They Provide High Value Per Minute
Great speakers respect their audience's time.
Every story has a purpose. Every example supports the message. Every minute feels worthwhile.
One of the quickest ways to lose an audience is to over-explain or wander away from the point. Strong communicators know how to say more with fewer words. They pause instead of filling silence with "um" or "you know," and they remove details that don't help the audience understand or remember the message.
People rarely leave a presentation wishing it had been longer. They leave remembering how valuable it was.
2. They Simplify Complex Ideas
One of the greatest communication skills a leader can develop is the ability to make complicated ideas easy to understand.
Whether you're explaining a new strategy, sharing financial results, or introducing change, your audience is looking for clarity.
The strongest communicators don't overwhelm people with information. They organize their thinking before they speak.
A simple structure often works best:
Start with your main recommendation or key idea.
Support it with two or three important points.
Finish with what you want your audience to remember or do next.
When your thinking is organized, your audience doesn't have to work as hard to follow you.
3. They're Comfortable Being Themselves
I don't coach leaders to sound like someone else. If you're naturally quiet, I don't want to turn you into a motivational speaker. I want you to become the strongest version of yourself.
Some are energetic. Others are calm and thoughtful. Some use humor naturally, while others build trust through quiet confidence.
The goal isn't to sound like someone else. It's to become the strongest version of yourself.
Audiences notice when someone is trying too hard to impress them. They also notice when a speaker is comfortable enough to let their personality come through naturally.
Confidence doesn't mean knowing everything. It means trusting your experience, believing your message matters, and communicating it with sincerity.
4. They Communicate When It Matters Most
Leadership becomes most visible during uncertainty.
When teams are facing change, challenges, or difficult decisions, people look to leaders for direction.
The strongest communicators don't disappear during these moments. They communicate early, honestly, and often.
They acknowledge what they know.
They admit what they don't know.
They explain what's happening.
And they provide a clear path forward whenever possible.
People don't expect leaders to have every answer. They do expect them to communicate with transparency and confidence.
5. They Turn Ideas Into Action
Having a great idea isn't enough.
The ability to communicate that idea in a way that inspires action is what separates good speakers from influential ones.
Whether you're presenting to your executive team, pitching a client, or leading your department, your audience should understand:
Why this matters.
Why it matters now.
What should happen next.
Ideas create value only when people understand them, believe them, and act on them.
That's why communication is one of the most important leadership skills you can develop.
6. They Believe Deeply in Their Message
Some speakers simply have a presence that's difficult to explain.
They speak with conviction.
They care about the audience.
They believe the message they're sharing is important.
As a coach, I've found that this kind of confidence usually comes from four beliefs:
They believe they are qualified to speak on the topic.
They genuinely care about helping their audience.
They communicate with purpose and urgency.
They believe their ideas can make a difference.
You can see it in their posture.
You can hear it in their voice.
And your audience can feel it.
When speakers truly believe in what they're saying, others begin to believe it too.
Becoming a Better Public Speaker
So what makes a good public speaker?
After studying great communicators and coaching leaders for more than 25 years, I don't believe there's one secret. The speakers people remember are the ones who respect their audience, organize their thoughts, communicate with conviction, and genuinely care about the message they're sharing.
The encouraging part is that every one of those qualities can be developed.
Watch speakers you admire. Notice what they do well. Then look for opportunities to practice those same habits in your own meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations.
That's how better communicators are made.
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Continue Improving Your Leadership Communication
Becoming a stronger public speaker doesn't happen after reading one article. It happens through practice, feedback, and a commitment to improving over time.
If you're ready to continue developing your communication, here are a few resources to help.
Listen to the Speak by Design Podcast
Get practical leadership communication strategies, real executive coaching examples, and tools you can apply in your next meeting, presentation, or conversation.
Read the Speak by Design Book
Learn the communication frameworks leaders use to organize their thinking, earn trust, and communicate with greater clarity and confidence.
Ready to accelerate your communication growth?
If you're looking for personalized coaching and ongoing practice, Speak by Design University combines private coaching, live workshops, and on-demand training to help you become a more confident and effective communicator.
