If you had told me back in my early days as an entrepreneur that public speaking would become one of my most valuable tools, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. I grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota, playing sports, boxing, and focusing on performance in the gym—not on stage. But over time, I learned something powerful: your ability to speak clearly and confidently in front of others can directly impact your ability to lead, sell, and scale.

At Pinnacle Health Group, I’ve had to pitch investors, speak to rooms full of potential clients, and rally my team with clear, purposeful communication. I’ve seen firsthand how the art of public speaking is really the art of connection, and that connection can make or break your business.

Here’s what I’ve learned about mastering public speaking—not as a polished performer, but as a modern founder who’s had to grow into the role.

Speaking Is Selling

Whether you’re pitching a product, a vision, or yourself, public speaking is selling. And selling isn’t just about closing a deal—it’s about inspiring belief. That starts with clarity.

Too many people try to sound impressive instead of being clear. I’ve done it too. Early on, I’d overcomplicate things, thinking that more words made me sound more credible. But I quickly realized that people don’t buy complexity—they buy confidence. And confidence comes from clarity.

If you’re pitching, know your offer inside and out. Explain it like you would to a friend over coffee. Get to the “why it matters” fast. Don’t dance around the value—say it straight.

Whether I’m in a one-on-one sales meeting or standing in front of a crowd, my focus is always the same: how can I make this message land with impact?

Practice Like an Athlete

Just like in boxing or rugby, the best performances come from consistent practice. Public speaking isn’t something you’re either “good at” or “bad at”—it’s a skill you build through repetition.

Before any big pitch or presentation, I run through my points multiple times out loud. I record myself, listen back, and refine the flow. I ask myself: Where do I lose energy? Where does the message get muddy? What can I cut?

Repetition builds rhythm. When you speak with rhythm and structure, you sound confident—even if your heart is pounding. You don’t need to memorize every word. You just need to know your story well enough to deliver it like it’s second nature.

Connect First, Impress Second

When you’re pitching, especially in leadership or sales, people are looking for two things: can I trust this person, and do they understand me? If you jump straight into features or strategy without making that human connection, you’ll lose people fast.

One of the most powerful things I’ve learned is to open with something real. A story. A moment of honesty. A question that invites them in. Something that makes the audience say, “Okay, this person gets it.”

The more I’ve focused on connection over perfection, the more effective I’ve become. People remember how you made them feel. They remember your energy, your intention, and your confidence more than your slides.

Speak to One, Not to Many

This hack has changed the game for me: when speaking to a group, picture one person in that room who needs to hear your message. Speak directly to them.

When you try to please the whole room, your message gets watered down. But when you focus on one person—the investor who’s skeptical, the team member who’s unsure, the customer who’s been burned before—you speak with purpose and empathy.

It personalizes your tone. It simplifies your message. And it helps your audience feel like you’re not just talking, you’re talking to them.

Use Silence as a Tool

Here’s something I didn’t understand early on: silence is powerful. When we’re nervous, we tend to fill every space with words. But the best speakers know how to pause.

A well-timed pause gives your audience space to process what you just said. It builds tension. It creates rhythm. And it shows confidence.

When I give pitches now, I intentionally pause after key points. I let things land. I watch the room. That space helps people absorb and remember.

Learn from Every Rep

Every pitch is practice. Every presentation is feedback. Early in my career, I’d overanalyze every mistake—every stutter, every awkward transition. Now, I just focus on getting a little better each time.

After each speaking opportunity, I ask:

• What worked?
  
• Where did I lose them?
  
• What can I do differently next time?
  

You grow by staying curious. By reviewing your performance like game film. Speaking is just like sport: review, refine, and repeat.

Leadership Is Communication

If you want to lead well, you have to speak well. Not just with charisma, but with clarity and purpose. Your team doesn’t need motivational speeches every day, but they do need consistent, honest, and inspiring communication.

I’ve found that the more clearly I speak, the more clearly my team thinks. When people understand the “why,” they move with more ownership. When they hear vision with passion, they rise to it.

Speaking well isn’t about being loud or dramatic, it’s about being understood.

Final Thoughts

Mastering public speaking isn’t about becoming the next TED Talk sensation. It’s about learning how to show up, share your vision, and move people to action—whether that’s your team, your clients, or an investor across the table.

If you’re a founder, don’t put off this skill. Invest in it. Practice it. Learn how to make your words count. Because at the end of the day, your ability to communicate with confidence might just be the thing that sets your business apart.

It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being powerful. And powerful communication always starts with knowing what you stand for and saying it with heart.