How to Sound More Positive and Authoritative When Presenting

By Sarah Khaled

How you sound when presenting shapes how others perceive your confidence and credibility. Your tone influences attention, engagement, and trust. Below are techniques used by expert speakers to sound more positive and more authoritative—without overacting or trying to sound like someone else.

These techniques are adapted and expanded from Mary Spillane’s Branding Yourself and refined by our editorial team based on real-life presentation coaching sessions.

To Sound More Positive

• Inject pace where needed: If you tend to speak slowly, increase your pace slightly to convey energy and urgency. But pause often so key points can land.
• Use vocal expression: Avoid flat delivery. Vary your tone to emphasize enthusiasm and clarity.
• Visualize success: Think of your desired outcome while speaking. Your tone will naturally lift and feel more engaging.
• Use gestures: Natural gestures can boost your presence and energy. They activate your voice as well as your body.

To Sound More Authoritative

• Slow down at critical points: A slower pace allows listeners to absorb important messages.
• Pause strategically: A well-placed pause before and after a strong statement can make it more memorable.
• Emphasize key words: Put weight on important terms or questions to grab attention.
• Lower your volume for contrast: Quiet, deliberate speech can draw the audience in—especially after louder sections.
• Cut out filler words: Avoid “um,” “er,” “actually,” and “you know.” Silence is better than verbal clutter.

“During a recent training session with new team leaders, one participant reported feeling more composed and heard simply by adding intentional pauses. The shift in perception from hesitant to confident was immediate.”

Reviewed and fact-checked by Sarah Khaled for the TrainingCourseMaterial.com editorial team on August 6, 2025. Originally published September 2021. About our editorial standards