Episode #247: Presenting In A Post Covid World

Why does the return to live presentations matter for leaders and sales professionals in Tokyo?

As Covid restrictions ease and vaccinations increase, executives and managers in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (multinational companies) in 東京 (Tokyo) are moving back from Zoom rooms to physical meeting spaces and conference stages. The question is no longer “When will Covid end?” but “How quickly can I get my in-person presentation skills back to a high level?”

During the pandemic, leaders adapted to a world of tiny on-screen boxes, muted reactions, and camera-only communication. Now, your clients, teams, and stakeholders expect you to project confidence, credibility, and warmth on a real stage again—especially in プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training), 営業研修 (sales training), and リーダーシップ研修 (leadership training) contexts.

Mini-summary: The shift from online to live is already happening. Leaders who quickly rebuild their in-person presence will stand out in Japanese and multinational business environments in Tokyo.

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What were the limitations of online-only presentations for executives?

Online talks are, by design, impersonal. The audience appears as miniature tiles on the screen—often with cameras off—so you receive almost no visual feedback. You talk to a camera instead of with human beings. Your eyes are fixed on a lens 10 cm above the grid of faces, making it nearly impossible to read subtle reactions or adjust your message in real time.

Most speakers also stopped using body language. Gestures got “cut off” by the camera frame or disappeared in virtual backgrounds. As a result, nearly 99% of presenters spoke with their voices only, losing the energy and impact that come from full-body communication.

Mini-summary: Online-only presentations trained many leaders out of using body language and real-time audience feedback, weakening their overall executive presence.

Back in a physical room, you regain your most powerful tool: your full body. Instead of hiding behind a podium or laptop, step forward so your entire body becomes part of the message. When speakers stay glued behind a lectern, they waste energy that could be transmitted directly to the audience through posture, stance, and movement.

Key shifts for live プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training):

• Step away from the podium. Place your laptop where you can still glance at it, but keep your body open to the audience.

• Use purposeful gestures. Keep your hands within the visible zone—from upper shoulders to around ear height—so the audience can clearly see your emphasis.

• Engage your face. Facial expression is a key element of influence in leadership and 営業研修 (sales training), especially when you want to show conviction, curiosity, or empathy.

Mini-summary: In-person speaking allows you to use your entire body—stance, gestures, and expressions—to amplify your authority and emotional connection.

One powerful way to use the stage is the “three distances” technique, which links your physical position to the size of your message:

1. Macro point (big, strategic idea).

   • Move slightly back from the audience.

   • Lift your chin a little.

   • Use large, expansive gestures.
     This communicates a broad, visionary perspective—ideal for leadership messages, DEI研修 (DEI training) insights, or company-wide initiatives.

2. Neutral point (standard information).

   • Stand mid-stage.

   • Keep your chin level.

   • Use normal, relaxed gestures.
     This suits explanations, data, and regular business updates.

3. Micro point (personal, sensitive, or critical detail).

   • Move closer to the audience.

   • Drop your chin ever so slightly.

   • Use smaller, more contained gestures.
     This makes the message feel intimate and important—effective in エグゼクティブ・コーチング (executive coaching) contexts or when asking for commitment.

Mini-summary: By adjusting your distance, chin angle, and gesture size, you visually signal whether a point is big, neutral, or intimate—helping audiences instantly understand the weight of your message.

In big venues—common for national sales meetings, leadership conferences, and product launches—stage movement is essential, but it must be intentional.

• Avoid talking while walking.
  When you speak and walk at the same time, your movement competes with your message. Pause your speech as you move, then speak when you are still.

• Cover left and right sides of the stage.
  Walk naturally to the left or right stage apron so you are physically close to that segment of the audience. This shows them you want to be with them, not just in front of them.

• Use movement as a bridge.
  Move when you transition between major sections of your talk—strategy, results, next steps—so your movement anchors the structure in audience memory.

Mini-summary: Movement on stage should be purposeful and linked to message transitions, not random pacing that distracts from your content.

In live venues, you can finally use “eye power” again. Instead of staring at a webcam, you can connect with real faces:

• Hold individual eye contact for about six seconds.
  This is long enough to feel personal, but not confrontational. Rotate your gaze across different people and sections of the room to create inclusive engagement—especially important for DEI研修 (DEI training) and cross-cultural audiences.

• Manage the lighting to keep connection visible.
  If someone dims the house lights during your slide deck, you lose visibility of audience reactions. When that happens:

  1. Stop speaking.

  2. Pause to create a moment of tension.

  3. Ask clearly for the lights to be brought back up.
     This reinforces that you value relationship and two-way connection over pure slide visibility.

Mini-summary: Consistent, calm eye contact and properly lit rooms help leaders build credibility and psychological safety in both Japanese and multinational audiences.

Many presenters grew to love the chat window: instant reactions, quick polls, and silent feedback from dozens of people. In a live room, you do not have a chat function—but you do have other tools.

• Use simple hand-raise questions.
  Ask the audience to raise their hands to agree or disagree with a statement. This gives you a fast, visual read of the room.

• Avoid overusing “everyone speak at once” activities.
  Constant calls for group shouting or simultaneous answers quickly become chaos and reduce perceived professionalism.

• Leverage structured Q&A.
  Reserve time for live questions. This replaces the “chat scroll” with direct, human interaction and helps clarify key points in leadership, sales, and presentation contexts.

Mini-summary: You can replace online chat with structured hand-raises and well-managed Q&A that preserve clarity and control in the room.

Moving from a laptop camera to a full stage can feel like jumping from a small practice gym to a full arena. It takes adjustment:

• Rehearse with full-body movement. Practice your talk standing up, using gestures, stage positions, and eye contact—just as you will on the day.

• Rebuild your “stage stamina.” Presenting live requires more physical energy and presence than sitting at a desk. Warm up your voice, posture, and body movement before key events.

• Align your message with your brand. Every live presentation is a branding moment—for you, your department, and your company. Use the opportunity to reinforce your leadership style and your firm’s values.

For leaders in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (multinational companies) in 東京 (Tokyo), this transition is also a strategic moment. Strong, in-person presentation skills differentiate your personal and professional brand in a hybrid world where many still rely on slides and scripts alone.

Mini-summary: Treat the return to live speaking as a chance to upgrade—not just “restore”—your executive presence and stage impact.

• Online habits are not enough. To influence stakeholders in person, you must re-engage full-body communication: posture, gestures, movement, and facial expression.

• Stage position sends a message. Use the three distances—macro, neutral, micro—to visually match the importance of each point.

• Movement, eye contact, and lighting drive connection. Purposeful movement, 6-second eye contact, and well-managed room lighting dramatically increase audience trust and focus.

• Live interaction replaces chat. Hand-raises, structured questions, and clear Q&A give you real-time feedback without losing control of the room.

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.