Episode #222: Breaking The Rules By Choice, When Presenting

Why Do Many Professionals in Japan Struggle to See Their Own Presentation Weaknesses?

In many 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (global companies), presenters unknowingly fall into habits that weaken their message. These “blind spots,” similar to the Johari Window concept, form when people never receive direct feedback. Over time, these unchallenged habits harden, making sub-standard performance feel normal.

The danger is simple: you cannot correct what you do not know. Yet understanding the rules—and then breaking them intentionally—can dramatically differentiate a presenter in a corporate environment where presentations are often predictable and unengaging.

Mini-summary: Most presenters break rules by accident. True power comes from breaking them deliberately and strategically.

Executives often see the “berserker stage fiend”—the presenter who marches left and right nonstop, driven by nerves and low self-awareness. The nonstop pacing distracts audiences and weakens message clarity. Movement without intention dilutes executive presence.

However, when used purposefully, dynamic movement can heighten the emotional impact of a critical story. For example, while recounting a leadership team’s panic during a 90% revenue drop in the Covid-19 lockdowns, temporarily pacing intensely can dramatize fear, uncertainty, and urgency. The key is controlled, short-duration exaggeration—not constant chaos.

Mini-summary: Thoughtless pacing destroys credibility, but controlled, high-intensity movement can reinforce emotional storytelling.

Another extreme is the “galactic black hole” presenter—the speaker who drains all energy from the room. They avoid eye contact, stare downwards, shrink physically, and speak in a fragile whisper. Normally, this destroys engagement.

But when recounting moments of despair—such as corporate crisis, failed strategies, or leadership exhaustion—this dramatic collapse can amplify emotional authenticity. It should be brief, intentional, and supported by a microphone to maintain audibility.

Mini-summary: Controlled low-energy delivery can powerfully express hopelessness when used sparingly and deliberately.

In today’s “Age of Distraction,” audiences easily drift into the gravitational pull of their smartphones. Sometimes the presenter must “shock” attention back into the room. The “whoop and holler” technique—used occasionally by comedians—involves a sudden micro-rant, explosive reaction, or dramatized yelling to recreate a critical moment of crisis.

For example, reenacting a client meltdown or leadership explosion can create a memorable contrast. The technique must be fully set up, peak quickly, and then return to normal energy.

Mini-summary: High-volume intensity can highlight key moments, but only when used with precision, timing, and narrative justification.

Techniques like frantic pacing, dramatic despair, or explosive vocal delivery all break traditional presentation norms. But they allow presenters—from new managers to senior executives—to pierce through attention barriers and drive messages deep into memory.

Their effectiveness depends on:

• Audience type (日本企業 / Japanese corporations vs. 外資系企業 / multinational firms)

• Context of the topic

• Event formality

• Emotional objective of the message

Dale Carnegie Training, with over 100 years globally and 60+ years in Tokyo, teaches leaders how to master foundational presentation rules—and then break them strategically to amplify influence.

Mini-summary: Break presentation rules only when purpose, audience, and message align. Strategy makes the difference between power and chaos.

• Most presenters break rules accidentally; experts break them intentionally for impact.

• Movement, energy collapse, or sudden intensity can dramatize key leadership moments.

• Context, audience, and timing determine whether rule-breaking enhances or harms credibility.

• Dale Carnegie Tokyo helps leaders master both classical presentation skills and advanced emotional-impact techniques.

Founded in the U.S. in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has supported individuals and companies worldwide for over a century in leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI. Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, has been empowering both Japanese and multinational corporate clients ever since.