Public Speaking for Introverts Means Preparation Over Performance

A few years ago, before I had to speak at an HR conference, I started having this recurring thought: "Just say you're sick."

It wasn't about my material. I'd been working on that for months. And it wasn't lack of experience, I'd presented dozens of times before. But the thought of standing in front of 200 people, holding their attention for 30 minutes, felt like I was about to run a marathon in a suit made of concrete.

For years, I assumed this reaction meant I wasn't cut out for public speaking. The people who looked comfortable on stage seemed to feed off the audience. They improvised. They joked mid-sentence. They thrived in the spotlight. I didn't.

What I eventually learned is that I was trying to speak like an extrovert while running on an introvert's operating system. I kept draining my reserves trying to be spontaneous, energetic, and "on" in ways that didn't fit how I was wired.

Research backs this up. Introverts and extroverts approach speaking differently. Extroverts often draw energy from the audience, while introverts expend energy and need deliberate self management skills to navigate it.

The key isn't performing louder. It's preparing smarter, pacing energy, and designing talks around your strengths rather than someone else's playbook.

I wanted to focus this newsletter on building a public-speaking approach that works with your wiring, not against it.

The best speakers I know aren't always the loudest or most charismatic. Some of the most impactful talks I've heard came from quiet people who prepared meticulously, told one powerful story, and left the stage having said exactly what they meant to say.

Introverts bring different strengths to public speaking that don't always get recognised: deep preparation, thoughtful structure, and the ability to connect through substance rather than performance.

Quiet confidence speaks louder than stage charisma when your content is bulletproof. Introverts often excel at crafting clear narratives and practising until the content flows naturally, skills that matter far more than spontaneous wit.

Research shows that introverts' natural inclination toward reflection and self-awareness leads to more authentic, well-structured presentations. While extroverts might thrive on improvisation, introverted leaders often build stronger audience connections by preparing thoughtfully and speaking with genuine intention.

The problem isn't that introverts can't speak well. It's that most public speaking advice is written for people who recharge through performance, not people who spend energy delivering the talk.

Here are nine strategies I've used to design talks around my energy, not extroverted spontaneity. Think of this as leading by example for yourself first.

Craft a talk that flows well, peppered with stories, then videotape your practice sessions. The more prepared you are, the less energy you'll waste managing uncertainty.

Memorise the first and last 60 seconds. Locking in these bookends means you start and finish with quiet confidence, even if the middle gets loose.

Visual slides divert attention from you to your content. Use images rather than text-heavy slides to give yourself breathing room.

A 15-minute talk costs far less energy than a 45-minute one. Shorter presentations let you engage meaningfully rather than running out of fuel halfway through.

Protect 30–60 minutes of alone time before your talk and schedule recovery time immediately after. Avoid networking events right before presenting.

Rehearse in front of your partner, a colleague, or a small group. Practising with real listeners helps you spot weak points in a lower-stakes environment.

Instead of "addressing the room," make brief eye contact with individuals. Introverts excel at one-on-one connections. Speak to individuals, not a faceless crowd.

Audiences remember stories far more than bullet points. Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for engaging an audience without draining your reserves.

Take six deep breaths before you walk on stage: in for six counts, out for six counts. This "rule of 666" moves your brain out of fight-or-flight mode.

If you have a presentation coming up – or even just want to practise:

Why 'Just Push Through' Is Sabotaging Your Career.

The hidden cost of grinding when your battery is at zero, and what to do instead.

I'll never be the kind of speaker who thrives on improvisation or feeds off a crowd's energy. And I've stopped trying to be.

The talks that have gone best for me weren't the ones where I tried to "perform." They were the ones where I prepared deeply, told one honest story, protected my energy before and after, and left the stage knowing I'd said exactly what I came to say.

If public speaking drains you, nothing is wrong with you. You're just wired to do it differently. Lean into preparation. Build structure. Conserve energy. Tell stories. Give yourself permission to be a quiet speaker who says something worth hearing.

Thank you for reading, for trusting these strategies, and for staying part of this community where quiet professionals get to lead without performing. It means more than you know.
— Steven

P.S. If you know an introvert dreading their next presentation, forward this to them.

P.P.S. Speaking is one thing, networking after is another. Download my FREE Networking Scripts with LinkedIn templates, email outreach, and conversation starters built for introverts.