Presence Is More Powerful Than Perfection
When it comes to speaking, so many people obsess over getting everything “just right.” The perfectly polished script. The flawless delivery. The absence of “ums” and “ahs.”
And I get it. Perfection feels safe. If we can deliver every word exactly as we rehearsed, maybe people won’t see our nerves. Maybe they’ll think we’re smarter, sharper, more professional.
The problem is, perfection doesn’t connect. Presence does.
Why perfection falls flat
Perfection builds a wall. It creates distance between you and your audience. Instead of being with you, they’re watching you.
And when people are watching for mistakes, they’re not connecting with your message.
What presence looks like
Presence is the opposite of perfection. It’s not about never stumbling. It’s about being fully there — with your audience, in the moment.
Presence sounds like this:
- Pausing to let your words land.
- Making eye contact instead of staring at your notes.
- Allowing your natural personality to come through, even if that means laughing at yourself.
It’s not about flawless delivery. It’s about authentic connection.
My turning point
I learned one of the most valuable lessons of my career from a brilliant director named Kevin Baddiley. He completely shifted the way I thought about speaking and performance.
Kevin taught me that rehearsal isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about embedding the foundations of your performance into your muscle memory, so that when the moment comes, you’re free. Free to connect. Free to create. Free to be fully present.
That foundation becomes the springboard for artistry. Some people call it “flow state.” I call it presence.
And presence, at its highest level, is co-presence. It’s you and your audience sharing a moment together. You’re not reciting lines or delivering at people — you’re with them. You’re the vessel for inspiration, motivation, and transformation, and you’re holding space for what emerges between you.
That’s where the magic happens. That’s where a presentation becomes something more — not just memorable, and meaningful.
Why presence matters
Presence invites trust. It makes people feel like they’re part of something, not just watching it. It’s what turns a speech into a shared experience.
And here’s the truth: people don’t connect to perfect. They connect to human.
How to cultivate presence
- Breathe – Before you start speaking, take a breath. Arrive in the moment.
- Pause – Give space between your ideas. Silence builds more power than you think.
- Connect – Look at your audience. Notice their reactions. Speak to them, not at them.
The takeaway
If you’re chasing perfection, you’ll miss the moment. If you choose presence, you’ll create something unforgettable.
Because presence is what makes people lean in. Presence is what builds trust. Presence is what changes the room.
Perfection impresses. Presence connects. And connection is what people will always remember.
