What It Really Takes to Own the Big Stage
- Stephanie Bickel
- Jun 20
- 2 min read
Why great speakers aren’t born, they’re built. And how you can develop the presence to own every room.
By: Stephanie Bickel
We tend to think of great speakers as naturally charismatic. We assume they were born with something we weren’t. But that’s a myth.
Owning the stage, whether it’s a global conference, boardroom, or Zoom window - is not about charisma. It’s about control. The most impactful speakers create presence through precision, preparation, and practice.
Here’s What it Takes to Own The Big Stage:
1. A Clear Message Anchored in Purpose
Your presence doesn’t start on stage, it starts with what you believe. Great speakers know the why behind their message, and they articulate it in one clear sentence.
“What do I want my audience to feel, believe, or do differently after this?”
This is your starting point. Without it, no technique will stick. Presence without purpose is just performance.
2. Vocal and Visual Intention
Voice and body language either reinforce or distract from your message. You have to train them to work for you.
Stillness signals confidence.
Movement should be intentional, walking with purpose, not pacing.
Vocal variation, volume, tone, and pacing should reflect your content, not your nerves.
“A whisper can command attention more than a shout, when used deliberately.”
Your body doesn’t lie. Make sure it aligns with what you mean to say.
3. Command of Time and Space
Leaders don’t just speak. They shape the room. They use silence, framing, and space as tools.
Silence creates weight.
Structure gives your audience a mental roadmap.
The stage is yours. Use it to emphasize transitions and hold attention.
“Every movement you make tells your audience how to feel about what’s coming next.”
Confidence comes from knowing your flow, not winging it.
4. The Ability to Read the Room - and Adapt
Owning the stage is a conversation, not a monologue. The best communicators know how to:
Read the audience’s energy
Adjust tone, pacing, or content midstream
Respond to body language without losing composure
“Stage presence isn’t rigidity—it’s responsiveness wrapped in authority.”
5. Practice, Feedback, and More Practice
Presence isn’t innate. It’s practiced. It’s reviewed. It’s coached. What looks effortless is almost always the result of hundreds of small improvements.
At Speak by Design University, we see this every week. Leaders of all levels come to refine their message, elevate their delivery, and own the stage with clarity and confidence.
Ready to Build Your Stage Presence?
These are the exact skills we practice weekly inside Speak by Design University. If you’re ready to step into your next stage with intention, confidence, and power - join us. The next cohort starts July 1st. The theme? Taking the Big Stage.
