Episode #308: Why We Need Help With Presenting

Why do “good” presenters still struggle to be truly persuasive?

In many 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (foreign multinational companies), managers and executives already present regularly. Their self-introductions are clear, their structure is acceptable, and colleagues would probably rate them as “quite good.” Yet when these same people receive intensive プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation skills training) over one or two days, they often emerge as dramatically more confident, engaging, and persuasive.

The gap is not basic competence. The gap is impact. Without expert feedback, presenters rarely notice what is limiting their influence: a flat voice, predictable structure, weak openings and closings, or body language that undercuts their credibility. Coaching makes these invisible gaps visible, and that is where transformation begins.

Mini-summary: Even “good” presenters often lack the impact and influence senior leaders expect. Coaching exposes blind spots and rapidly upgrades how they are perceived by peers, bosses, and clients.

Executives today are not short of information. There are countless books on presentations, including titles like Japan Presentations Mastery. There are weekly or even daily videos on leadership, sales, and presenting—such as The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show for deeper insight and The Japan Business Mastery Show for busy professionals who want concise learning. There are also regular podcasts, like The Presentations Japan Series, dedicated entirely to presentation skills.

If you consistently watch, read, and listen, you will absolutely improve. You will pick up frameworks, stories, techniques, and examples that make your talks more professional. However, information alone rarely makes anyone great. Great presenters do more than “know what to do”; they execute under pressure, with real audiences, and adapt in real time. That leap usually requires feedback, practice, and accountability—things you cannot get from content alone.

Mini-summary: Books, videos, and podcasts are powerful resources, but on their own they usually create informed presenters, not outstanding ones. Greatness requires real-world practice plus expert feedback.

Presenting is a performance skill. Like any performance, it improves dramatically with repetition. Many top communicators—such as Tony Robbins—have deliberately maximized their speaking opportunities to accelerate their growth. The underlying logic is simple: the more you present, the faster you learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to adjust.

One example: after returning to 東京 (Tokyo) to work in 1992, a senior trainer deliberately seized every chance to speak publicly and has now delivered over 500+ presentations (not counting thousands of internal training sessions). Every talk became a laboratory—testing new techniques, refining stories, and observing audience reactions. A short, high-stakes format such as a 13-minute TED-style talk multiplies the pressure and the learning: you must be concise, global in outlook, and absolutely clear.

For leaders in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (foreign multinational companies), the principle is the same: the fastest way to mastery is frequent, intentional presentation opportunities, not occasional “big speeches” once or twice a year.

Mini-summary: Real progress in presenting comes from real stage time. Frequent, intentional presentations accelerate learning far more than occasional high-profile talks.

When you present, your focus is on the message, the slides, and the audience. You do not see yourself objectively—unless you actively video your talk, which is strongly recommended. A skilled coach, especially one experienced in リーダーシップ研修 (leadership training) and プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation skills training), sees patterns you are too busy to notice:

• Voice and pace: Are you using enough vocal variety and modulation? Are you rushing so fast that each new idea wipes out the last one in your audience’s memory?

• Gestures and movement: Are your gestures strong and purposeful, or small and hesitant? Should you move more, or would you benefit from standing still and projecting weight and authority?

• Eye contact and connection: Are you really connecting with individuals—holding their gaze and speaking to them—or just scanning the room mechanically?

• Pauses and structure: Do you give the audience time to digest key points? Strategic pauses slow the tempo, signal importance, and help your listeners stay with you.

• Facial expression and presence: Are you so concentrated that your face looks serious, aggressive, or even angry—when you actually intend to be open and approachable?

The coach translates all of this into specific, practical adjustments: “Pause here,” “Use a bigger gesture here,” “Look there and hold for two seconds.” Over time, these micro-changes accumulate into a powerful, confident executive presence that aligns with your professional brand.

Mini-summary: A coach sees what you cannot: the impact of your voice, body language, pace, and expression. Their job is to turn invisible habits into conscious, high-impact choices.

Most professionals in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (foreign multinational companies) stay within a very narrow comfort zone when presenting: safe gestures, predictable slides, and minimal emotion. This feels less risky, but it also limits impact.

A strong coach—often through エグゼクティブ・コーチング (executive coaching) or intensive プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation skills training)—will challenge you to stretch:

• Try a stronger opening than you are used to.

• Use a bigger gesture to highlight a key message.

• Increase your energy level slightly higher than feels “normal” for you.

• Experiment with storytelling or personal examples while staying within business relevancy.

These small risks feel uncomfortable at first, but they are often the gateway to a more compelling executive presence. With the right support, you expand your range while still maintaining the professionalism expected in high-level meetings and conferences.

Mini-summary: Growth lives just outside your comfort zone. Stretching your style—safely and strategically—can dramatically increase the power and memorability of your presentations.

For leaders in 東京 (Tokyo) and across Japan, the goal is not just “acceptable” presentations. It is to build a culture where every key speaker strengthens the organization’s trust, credibility, and brand—internally and externally.

A practical roadmap:

1. Absorb high-quality knowledge. Use books, curated videos, and podcasts to establish a solid conceptual foundation in presenting, leadership, and sales.

2. Create frequent speaking opportunities. Encourage managers and high-potential talent to present regularly—to clients, internal teams, and cross-functional forums.

3. Invest in expert coaching and training. Partner with specialists in リーダーシップ研修 (leadership training), 営業研修 (sales training), プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation skills training), エグゼクティブ・コーチング (executive coaching), and DEI研修 (DEI training) to provide targeted, high-level feedback.

4. Connect presentations to brand and trust. Remind presenters that every time they speak, they broadcast both their personal and corporate brand. Clarity, confidence, and respect build trust; weak delivery quietly erodes it.

Dale Carnegie Training, with its 100+ years of global experience and over 60 years serving the Tokyo market, has seen this “trifecta” repeatedly: knowledge + frequent practice + quality coaching. Together, they turn competent presenters into trusted, memorable business communicators.

Mini-summary: Organizations that combine learning, regular speaking opportunities, and expert coaching systematically upgrade how their leaders communicate—and how their brand is perceived.

• Information is not enough: Books, videos, and podcasts improve awareness, but greatness in presenting comes from real practice plus expert coaching.

• Stage time accelerates learning: Frequent, intentional presentations—internally and externally—build confidence and adaptability faster than occasional big speeches.

• Coaching reveals blind spots: A skilled coach sees what presenters miss—voice, pace, gestures, facial expression—and turns habits into deliberate, powerful choices.

• The winning formula: For 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (foreign multinational companies) in 東京 (Tokyo) and beyond, the most effective path is a combination of knowledge, frequent practice, and high-quality プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation skills training) and エグゼクティブ・コーチング (executive coaching).

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.