Episode #399: Anything We Can Learn About Presenting From Kamala Harris?

Why Do Some Leaders Command the Stage Effortlessly?

Executives and politicians alike rely on powerful delivery to persuade and inspire. In Japan’s business culture, where clarity and poise matter deeply, even seasoned leaders can struggle with nervousness or overreliance on scripts. What can professionals learn from top communicators like Kamala Harris — or from their own early speaking missteps?

Many leaders, from U.S. Presidents to Japanese CEOs, use teleprompters to stay on message. Yet overdependence can break audience connection. One executive I coached in Tokyo read from a single teleprompter placed to his left — giving love only to one side of the room.
Lesson: Eye contact and balanced audience engagement matter more than reading perfectly.

Mini-Summary: Don’t let tools control your delivery. Keep your message human.

Kamala Harris demonstrates excellent control of cadence — she pauses to emphasize key ideas and manage energy. When nervous, many speakers rush through their content. I once gave my first Japanese speech in Tokyo and sped through a 25-minute talk in just eight minutes!
Lesson: Strategic pauses help audiences absorb meaning and help you regain composure.

Mini-Summary: Slow down, breathe, and let silence work for you.

Harris often slows her speech right before key points, creating anticipation. Business presenters can do the same. By pacing your words and letting your audience “predict” your message, you transform a talk into an experience.
Mini-Summary: Create momentum by guiding your audience’s curiosity.

Confidence convinces. When leaders look relaxed, the audience feels comfortable. Yet in Japan, many executives still appear overly formal or tense during speeches. “Fake it until you make it” is good advice — because appearing calm helps build real confidence.
Mini-Summary: Poise, presence, and authenticity make your words believable.

• Use eye contact, not just technology, to connect with audiences.

• Control your cadence through well-placed pauses.

• Build anticipation by slowing down before key points.

• Project confidence — relaxed speakers are persuasive speakers.

Founded in the United States in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has been empowering global leaders for more than a century in leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI.
Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, continues to help both Japanese and international companies achieve world-class excellence in communication.