“Champions don’t do extraordinary things. They do ordinary things better than everyone else.” – Tony Dungy, former NFL player and coach, best known for leading the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl win

Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers football team, on taking over as head coach of the Packers, said, “I am not going to change anything. We will use the same players, the same plays and the same training system. But we will concentrate on becoming brilliant on the basics.”

Becoming brilliant at the basics of public speaking has always been and will always be the foundation of any excellent presentation.

Below are three essential skills every public speaker must master to become brilliant in the basics:

Clarity and Articulation

The ability to express ideas clearly and pronounce words distinctly so the audience easily understands your message is essential to your success as a speaker

Clear articulation helps your audience comprehend your message without confusion or guesswork.

When you speak clearly, you minimize the risk of misinterpretation and ensure that your ideas, facts, and emotions are received as intended. This is especially crucial in business presentations, speeches, or educational talks, where precision matters.

If you give instructions or share essential data and your words are slurred or jumbled, your audience may misunderstand or miss key points, leading to mistakes or disengagement.

You become more confident, knowledgeable, and professional when you articulate your thoughts clearly.

Audiences are likelier to trust and respect a speaker who communicates with poise and precision. This boosts your credibility and increases the impact of your message.

Think of a job interview or a public debate—speaking with clarity conveys your ideas better and signals that you’re well-prepared and confident in your stance.

Clear and articulate speakers are more straightforward to listen to, which naturally helps hold the audience’s attention. When people don’t have to strain to understand you, they’re more likely to stay engaged and absorb what you’re saying. This is key to making your message stick and sparking meaningful interaction.

A motivational speaker who speaks with clarity and energy will inspire and move an audience far more than someone who mumbles or rambles, no matter how significant the content is.

No matter how powerful your message is, it will fall flat if people can’t follow your words.

Clear presentations build trust and ensure your audience absorbs your points.

How to develop it:

• Practice enunciation drills (e.g., tongue twisters)

• Record yourself and listen for mumbling or filler words

• Slow down and pause to emphasize key points

So, clarity and articulation are absolute basic skills every public speaker must master.

Another is confidence.

Confidence

Projecting self-assurance and comfort while speaking, even if nervous, is an essential skill for a public speaker. When you speak confidently, your audience is likelier to believe in what you’re saying.

Confidence sends the message that you know your topic, are comfortable sharing it, and believe in your message. This builds trust and boosts your credibility as a speaker.

A confident speaker naturally earns more respect before the content is fully delivered. Even the most well-researched content can lose its impact if you appear unsure.

In a pitch meeting or job interview, confidence in your tone and posture makes you look capable and convincing — which can decide between a “yes” and a “no.”

Public speaking often causes anxiety, but confidence acts as a buffer. When you believe in yourself and your preparation, you’re better able to control nerves, think clearly, and recover from mistakes without losing momentum.

Confident speakers handle unexpected situations more smoothly, whether they involve a tricky question, a tech glitch, or a momentary blackout. Confidence keeps you grounded and in control, which is crucial under pressure.

If you lose your train of thought but remain calm and composed, your audience may not notice — and you can transition smoothly back on track.

People are drawn to confident energy. A confident speaker is likelier to capture attention, hold interest, and inspire action. Your delivery becomes more dynamic, and your enthusiasm becomes contagious.

Audiences tend to mirror the speaker’s energy. If you’re enthusiastic and self-assured, your listeners are more likely to respond positively.

Confidence enhances your voice projection, eye contact, and body language — all of which keep people engaged.

A motivational speaker who speaks with certainty and energy will inspire and move the audience far more than someone who sounds unsure, even with similar content.

Confidence helps establish credibility. Audiences are likelier to trust and engage with a speaker who appears comfortable and in control.

How to build it:

• Rehearse thoroughly and know your material.

• Use power poses and breathing techniques before speaking.

• Start with small audiences and build up.

So, clarity, articulation, and confidence are essential skills every public speaker must master.

A third skill public speakers should master is structure and organization.

Structure and Organization

Organize your presentation with a clear beginning, middle, and end to guide the audience through your message.

A well-structured presentation gives your audience a clear path to follow, making it easier for them to grasp your main points, remember key ideas, and stay engaged throughout.

Organized content creates a logical flow, so the audience isn’t left confused or trying to piece things together.

Using signposts like “first,” “next,” and “finally” helps guide listeners and reinforces the overall message.

A speaker introducing a three-step process with a clear beginning, middle, and end will help the audience track each step, leading to better understanding and recall. You feel more confident and prepared when your ideas are structured and organized. You’re less likely to lose your place, ramble, or repeat yourself.

A solid structure acts like a roadmap, giving you a clear direction and helps you manage time effectively. Knowing what comes next in your presentation keeps your delivery smooth and minimizes filler words or hesitation.

If you give a business pitch and outline your key points (problem, solution, benefits), you’ll naturally feel more focused and less nervous.

A structured presentation builds your argument step by step, making your message more compelling and persuasive. It allows you to build momentum and leave a lasting impression.

An organized presentation can highlight a problem’s urgency, support it with evidence, and finish with a powerful call to action. Even great ideas can get lost in the noise or seem unconvincing without structure.

In persuasive speaking, clearly outlining the problem, supporting it with facts, and leading to a strong solution gives your audience a reason to care — and act.

Why it matters:

A well-structured presentation keeps the audience oriented, enhances retention, and reinforces your main message.

Basic structure:

• Introduction – Hook + purpose

• Body – 2 to 3 key points with examples

• Conclusion – Summary + strong closing line

Clarity, articulation, confidence, structure, and organization are basic skills every public speaker must master.

Becoming brilliant in the basics of public speaking will make you a speaking success.

Call to Action

• Clearly articulate to help your audience comprehend your message without the confusion of guesswork

• Speak with confidence to your audience. They will be more likely to believe you

• Pay particular attention to your presentation’s structure to give your audience a clear path to follow and make it easier for them to grasp your main points, remember key ideas, and stay engaged throughout.

References

• Lucas, S. E. (2014). The Art of Public Speaking (12th ed.). McGraw-Hill.

• Mayer, R. E. (2009). Multimedia Learning. Cambridge University Press./p>

Cuddy, A., Kohut, M., & Neffinger, J. (2013). Connect, Then Lead. Harvard Business Review./p>

Kennedy, G. A. (2007). On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse. Oxford University Press./p>

Mehrabian, A. (1971). Silent Messages. Wadsworth./p>

Gilbert, G. M. (2010). The Psychology of Communication. Allyn & Bacon./p>

Being a confident, engaging, and effective technical speaker is a vital personal and professional asset. With more than 40 years of engineering experience and more than 30 years of award-winning public speaking experience, I can help you reduce your presentation preparatory time by 50%, overcome your fear of public speaking and be completely at ease, deliver your presentations effectively, develop your personal presence with your audience; and apply an innovative way to handle audience questions deftly.

Working closely with you, I provide a customized protocol employing the critical skills and tools you need to create, practice, and deliver excellent technical speeches and presentations. Let’s connect and explore how I can help you become the exceptional speaker you were meant to be. Please reach out to me at frank@speakleadandsucceed.com or 703-509-4424 for a complimentary consultation. Schedule a meeting with me at calendly.com/frankdibartolomeospeaks