How to Speak With Confidence: 4 Proven Steps to Boost Your Public Speaking Skills at Work

Over the last month, I’ve spoken live on radio, joined TV panels, and given multiple media interviews.

Whenever I share behind-the-scenes moments from these experiences, I get the same question:

“Angel, how do you look so confident when you speak?”

The truth is, I wasn’t always this way.

When I started public speaking, I was so nervous I could barely say my own name. My palms would sweat, my heart would race, and my voice would tremble.

That still happens sometimes, but the difference now is that I’ve learned how to manage it.

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build. And every time you speak, you have the chance to get 1% better.

If you want to speak with confidence and boost your visibility at work, here are four steps that helped me close the gap.

1. Ask for Specific, Real-Time Feedback

Don’t wait for a performance review or end-of-year feedback.

When you present or facilitate meetings, ask for immediate feedback from people you trust, right after the session while the experience is still fresh.

Here’s what to ask:

• “What resonated most with the audience?” (so you know what to repeat)
• “What could I have gone deeper on?” (so you know where to expand next time)

This kind of live, specific feedback helps you grow faster because you’re learning from the exact context where your skills are being applied.

2. Get Comfortable Watching Yourself

I used to avoid watching replays of my talks and interviews because it made me cringe.

But here’s the truth: you can’t improve what you can’t see.

Watching your recordings, whether it’s a town hall, a virtual presentation, or a client pitch, gives you insight that others can’t always articulate. Notice things like:

• How often you maintain eye contact
• The pace and tone of your delivery
• How your body language reinforces or distracts from your message

Public speaking is a service to your audience. Seeing yourself as they see you is one of the fastest ways to elevate your communication.

3. Build a Bank of Powerful Stories

When I first started presenting, I relied heavily on data and research to establish credibility.

But I learned something important: people don’t remember data. They remember stories.

Stories create emotion, connection, and trust. They’re how your audience experiences your authenticity.

Start a simple “Story Bank.” Jot down short anecdotes from your career — moments of challenge, growth, or impact. Then, when you’re preparing a talk, draw from those stories.

Pro tip: Frame stories around your audience’s needs. Instead of saying,
“I lost my voice and had to find it again,”
try saying,
“Losing my voice made me realise how many of us stay quiet when it matters most. Here’s how I learned to speak up again.”

That subtle shift turns your personal story into a mirror for your audience’s journey.

4. Commit to Continuous Learning

The most valuable leadership skill you can develop is communication.

And the best communicators never stop learning.

I constantly study how others show up, from facilitators to news anchors, to see what lands well. I also ask for coaching, join workshops, and take notes on what makes great speakers great.

Every talk, meeting, or presentation is your mini-lab for improvement.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress.

Final Thoughts

Confidence in public speaking doesn’t come from memorising a script. It comes from practice, reflection, and iteration.

Each time you speak, you’re not just delivering information. You’re shaping how others see your leadership, your credibility, and your potential.

That’s exactly what I teach my community of accelerators, to be seen, heard, and valued as top talent.

If you want more tools and frameworks to grow your visibility and influence at work, join the waitlist for the Career Accelerator here.

Over to You

What’s one public speaking hack that helps you feel more confident at work? Share it below — I’d love to hear it.
 

Rooting for you,
Angel Kilian
Founder | Career InFocus