What Kamala Harris Can Teach Business Leaders About Timing, Pauses, and Executive Presence

As a non-American, I take no political stance and always aim for neutrality—becoming the “Switzerland” of presentation analysis. Previously I have examined Biden and Trump purely through the lens of プレゼンテーション研修, not politics. Now, with Kamala Harris stepping in as the Democratic candidate for President, her communication techniques provide powerful lessons for executives in 日本企業 and 外資系企業.

Republican pundits claim she is only effective when reading from a teleprompter; critics say Trump struggles with teleprompters and therefore prefers speaking extemporaneously. Regardless of political narratives, the reality is this: teleprompters can either enhance or destroy a presentation depending on how they are used.

For businesspeople in Tokyo—most of whom will never use a teleprompter—there are still valuable lessons in how Harris controls timing, cadence, pauses, and presence.

Mini-Summary:
Harris’s delivery offers non-political lessons on timing, anticipation, and confidence—skills essential for business leaders in Japan.

Teleprompters can be a blessing or a curse. I once coached a senior German executive leading a major Japanese manufacturer. His PR team provided one teleprompter placed on the left. It acted like a magnet:

• The left side of the audience received all his eye contact.

• The center and right side were effectively ignored.

• Audience connection collapsed.

We removed the teleprompter and switched to simple notes. His engagement instantly improved.

Teleprompters can also create logistical nightmares. Former President Barack Obama once discovered, mid-speech, that an essential page had been omitted. He had to improvise until the error was corrected—proof that even the most polished systems can fail.

Lesson:
Only you know what you plan to say. If needed, you can improvise.
But always check your materials before stepping onto the stage.

Mini-Summary:
Teleprompters can narrow your focus and break engagement; simpler tools often lead to more natural communication.

Kamala Harris excels at controlling pace. Even when using a teleprompter, she avoids the most common trap: speeding up due to nervousness.

Most presenters—especially in Japan—accelerate unconsciously under pressure. This happened during my own first speech in Tokyo:

• I read every word off the page

• Never made eye contact

• Sweated through my suit

• Delivered a 25-minute talk in eight minutes

• And completely lost the audience

Harris avoids this by:

• Using strategic pauses

• Injecting space between key ideas

• Allowing each message to land

• Preventing herself from rushing

• Matching delivery with content

For business speakers, pauses create clarity and allow the audience to digest what has just been said—critical in complex or high-stakes business communication.

Mini-Summary:
Pauses slow the pace, increase clarity, support composure, and help prevent nervous acceleration.

A powerful technique Harris uses is slowing down just before a key idea.
This builds anticipation.
The audience begins to predict where she’s heading—and they mentally meet her there before she delivers the line.

In a political rally, this often generates applause. In business, it generates agreement.

Business audiences may not clap, but they will:

• Lean in

• Follow along

• Prepare to accept your conclusion

By deliberately slowing the tempo at key moments, speakers make their strongest ideas more memorable.

Mini-Summary:
Anticipation turns passive listeners into active participants and makes key points more persuasive.

Harris often appears relaxed, smiling, and enjoying the moment. This is rare among Japanese CEOs, many of whom minimize live speaking by relying on pre-recorded videos to reduce stress.

The challenge:
When a presenter looks nervous, the audience becomes nervous.

Confidence is contagious.
So is insecurity.

Relaxation communicates:

• credibility

• warmth

• trustworthiness

• executive presence

Most presenters cannot instantly “feel” relaxed—but they can look relaxed. This is where “fake it until you make it” becomes functional, not deceptive.

Practical techniques include:

• Relaxing facial muscles

• Using open, natural gestures

• Avoiding repetitive, frozen gestures (a common nervous habit)

• Keeping posture calm and grounded

• Smiling gently

• Speaking with vocal variety instead of tension

Mini-Summary:
A relaxed presence builds trust and makes audiences far more receptive to your message.

1. Use deliberate pauses

Embed pauses into your script or notes. Use them after key ideas, transitions, or emphasis moments.

2. Build anticipation

Slow your pace before important conclusions. Let the audience catch up and align mentally.

3. Appear relaxed—even if nervous

Relax your face and gestures; avoid robotic or tense posture.

4. Engage the whole room

Avoid relying on one side, one screen, or one set of notes.

5. Embrace flexibility

If notes fail, your confidence should not. Only you know the content.

Mini-Summary:
Harris’s techniques translate directly to business: pauses, anticipation, relaxation, and controlled delivery dramatically increase executive presence.

• Teleprompters can hinder engagement unless used carefully.

• Pauses correct nervous speed and create message clarity.

• Anticipation amplifies your strongest points.

• Relaxation—real or projected—boosts credibility and trust.

• Executive presence is developed through practice, not personality.

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.