Speaking well today means more than sounding confident. It’s about building trust, holding attention, and giving your audience something they can carry with them.
The world of communication is changing. We are no longer impressed by flashy words or clever tricks. Listeners want to hear something real. They want to learn something useful. They want to feel like the speaker understands them.
This is where presentation skills training comes in. It helps you shift from delivering information to making a real impact. It gives you the tools to avoid common mistakes and speak in a way that feels clear, honest, and human.
In this blog, we explore 7 habits that can hold modern speakers back — and offer simple ways to fix them.
1. Speaking Without a Story
People connect through stories, not facts
Many speakers jump into facts, steps, or numbers. But facts alone don’t stick. People remember stories. Stories help us see your message, not just hear it.
Think about a time you heard a speaker and remembered their point days later. Chances are, it was because of a story — not a chart.
Good stories:
- Feel real
- Show struggle or change
- Have people, places, and feelings
Even short stories work. For example, if you’re giving a talk about leadership, start with a moment when you had to make a tough choice.
Storytelling is a key part of many strong presentation skills training programmes because it turns information into emotion.
2. Using Jargon and Buzzwords
Clear words show clear thinking
It’s easy to fall into corporate language. Words like “synergy”, “stakeholder alignment” or “value-add” sound professional — but often confuse people.
If someone needs to pause and decode your sentence, your message is already lost.
Use words people say in everyday life. Talk the way you would if you were explaining your idea to a friend or colleague. If you need to use a term, explain it first with a simple example.
Example:
Instead of “We must leverage cross-functional assets,”
Try “Let’s bring people from different teams together to work on this.”
Clear speaking earns trust. A good public speaking coach will always push you to simplify your language.
3. Saying Too Much Without a Clear Point
Speaking more doesn’t mean saying more
Sometimes, speakers believe they must fill every minute. They try to pack their talk with everything they know. But that often leads to confusion.
Here’s the problem: The more you say, the harder it is to remember what you said.
Your job is not to cover everything. Your job is to leave your audience with a clear message they can recall.
Start by asking:
- What is the one idea I want people to remember?
- What should they do after hearing me?
Once you have this, build around it. Everything else is support, not filler.
Tip: Use pauses. A short silence between points lets your message land. It also makes you sound calm and in control.
4. Not Reading the Room
Your audience shapes your message
Some speakers prepare one talk and deliver it the same way every time. But not all audiences are the same. What works in a boardroom may fall flat in a classroom.
Before you speak, learn about your audience:
- What are their goals?
- What problems do they face?
- What kind of language do they use?
During your talk, watch their faces. Are they nodding? Are they bored? If the energy drops, change your pace. Ask a question. Tell a story. Bring them back in.
A modern speaker must be responsive — not robotic.
This audience-first approach is a key part of high-impact presentation skills training. Your message must feel tailored, not rehearsed.
5. Depending Too Much on Slides
Slides should guide, not dominate
Slides are useful. But they’re often overused. Many speakers put full sentences or bullet points on slides and then read from them. This weakens their impact.
Think of slides as visual support. They should highlight — not repeat — what you’re saying.
Use slides for:
- Images
- Short quotes
- Simple charts
If your audience can understand your slides without you, you’re not needed.
Example: Instead of a slide that says “Here are the five benefits of teamwork,” show a photo of a team solving a problem together. Speak the benefits. Let the image support your point.
6. Skipping Practice
Rehearsing gives you control and calm
Great speaking looks natural. But it never happens by chance. Behind every strong talk is practice.
Practice helps you:
- Spot weak points
- Improve your flow
- Get comfortable with timing
- Sound more like yourself
Don’t memorise word for word. Instead, learn your key points, and speak around them. This keeps you natural and flexible.
Try recording yourself and watching it back. You’ll catch habits you don’t notice otherwise — like filler words, rushed pacing, or flat tone.
Even ten minutes of practice a day can transform your delivery. Every good public speaking coach will tell you that practice is where the real work happens.
7. Hiding Behind a Persona
Be real, not perfect
Many speakers try to sound polished and professional. But in the process, they lose their real voice. This can create a wall between you and your listeners.
Modern audiences value honesty. They want to hear your voice — not a version of what you think a speaker should sound like.
Don’t be afraid to show your personality. Let your natural tone come through. Speak how you would in a high-stakes conversation — clear, respectful, but still yourself.
If something goes wrong — a forgotten word, a broken slide — stay calm and carry on. These moments often make you more likeable, not less.
Let’s Recap the 7 Habits to Avoid
| Habit | What Happens |
| No story | Listeners forget your message |
| Too much jargon | People get confused |
| Talking too much | Message becomes unclear |
| Ignoring audience | You lose connection |
| Overusing slides | Audience disengages |
| Skipping practice | Confidence drops |
| Hiding your voice | You sound stiff or fake |
What Should You Do Instead?
To grow as a speaker:
- Start with one clear idea
- Support it with real stories
- Use language that’s simple and natural
- Tailor your message to your audience
- Let your slides help, not lead
- Rehearse with purpose
- Speak like yourself, not a script
These are not tricks. They are habits that take time to build — but they work.
This is the kind of growth-focused mindset you’ll find in strong presentation skills training sessions. And it’s what the best public speaking coach will focus on with you.
Conclusion
Speaking well is not about perfection. It’s about purpose.
At Think Story Speak, we help you bring purpose into every word. Our coaching and training sessions are built to help real people tell real stories — with clarity, calm, and confidence.
We work with teams, leaders, and individuals who want more than just skills. They want results that last.
Whether you’re leading a meeting, pitching an idea, or sharing your vision, we’ll help you make your words count.
Let’s build a new way to speak — one that’s clear, human, and made to last.