Command the Room: How Great Leaders Tell Great Stories

When it comes to public speaking, most people fall into one of three camps. 

There are those who love it. They thrive on stage, feel at ease in front of a crowd, and seem naturally charismatic. 

Then there are those who do it because it’s part of their job. They’re comfortable enough — it may not be their favourite thing, but they can deliver confidently and effectively. 

And finally, there are those who dread it. Who would rather do almost anything else than step in front of an audience. 

Here’s the reality: as a leader, you can’t escape it. Public speaking isn’t just about standing on a stage delivering a keynote. It’s speaking publicly, period. One-on-one. Leading a meeting. Internal presentations. Media interviews. Aligning your team and bringing people together. 

While it can feel daunting, the good news is that public speaking is a skill — one you can learn, strengthen, and continuously improve. It’s also one of the most requested areas of training I support leaders with, and for good reason. Communicating clearly, effectively, and with impact isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a core leadership skill. At the end of the day, if people can’t understand your vision, they can’t follow it.  

I was thrilled to sit down with Anthony MacLean, master storyteller, Fortune 500 keynote speaker, and a dear old friend. He shared his top tips for mastering “the talk” and making an impact in any setting. 

What makes a great storyteller?  

For me, it all comes down to three things: curiosity, stakes, and empathy.  

First, curiosity. A great storyteller makes you wonder how things are going to end. They paint themselves into a corner where there seems to be no way out, and you're hooked because you need to know what happens next. If your audience isn't leaning in, wondering where this is going, you're not really telling a story. 

Second, stakes. Something has to matter. There has to be something on the line. Whether it's a career-defining moment, a relationship, or a decision that changes everything, the audience needs to feel that weight. Without stakes, a story is just a series of events. 

Third, empathy. The best storytellers put you in their shoes. They don't just tell you what happened—they make you feel it. "Imagine this: I'm running half an hour late for the most important meeting of my life." That's the power of perspective. Stories are vehicles for empathy, and when you can transport someone into your experience, that's when real connection happens. 

So if you want to be a great storyteller, ask yourself: Am I creating curiosity? Are the stakes clear? And have I put my audience in my shoes?  

What's one mindset shift that has helped you communicate with greater confidence and influence?  

I stopped trying to sound like anyone else. 

Early on, I'd watch a great speaker and think, "They're amazing, and they're nothing like me, so if I want to be good, I need to be more like them." Every time I tried that, it fell flat. It didn't feel right, and the audience could sense it. 

The shift happened when I realized I had to embrace who I actually am. That means using a little slang in my talks because that's how I talk. It means leaning into humour, playing funny videos that make me laugh, and taking time to be spontaneous in the middle of a presentation. It means sharing real stories about my kids, my wife, the messy and human parts of life. 

For a while, I was trying so hard to be professional that I was leaving my humanity on the side of the stage. But as soon as I gave myself permission to just be me, everything changed. The feedback got better. The connection got stronger. And honestly, I started enjoying it more. You can't borrow someone else's voice and expect it to land with the same power.

Your authenticity is your advantage. The moment you stop performing and start showing up as yourself, that's when people really start to listen.  

What's a common mistake you see presenters make?  

I see two extremes, and both kill connection. 

On one end, you have people who are too stiff and perfect. They've over-rehearsed to the point where every "um" and "uh" is removed, and they sound robotic. It usually comes from memorizing word for word, and while it might feel polished, it doesn't feel human. The audience can tell you're performing, not connecting. 

On the other end, you have people who don't prepare at all. They just read from a sheet of paper on the podium, delivering previously approved remarks like they're narrating a legal document. And honestly? That's the most boring thing in the world. Talk to me. Don't talk to your notes. 

Here's the thing: we're living in the age of AI. Information is everywhere. If I wanted something to read me an answer, I could just turn on audio mode and ask ChatGPT a question. But when I show up to hear a speaker, I'm not there for information. I'm there for humanity. I want to see how you talk, how you interact with the crowd, how you think on your feet. I want to feel like I'm part of something happening in the moment, not watching something that was canned three weeks ago. 

So the mistake? Forgetting that your job isn't to be flawless. It's to be real.  

Is there a formula for delivering a powerful and memorable presentation? What are some of your top tips?  

There's no formula, but there are a few things I always come back to. 

First, tell stories. Stories are little empathy machines. They help people see themselves in your message and make abstract ideas tangible. If you're not using stories, you're missing one of the most powerful tools you have. 

Second, use humour where it fits. Laughter breaks down walls and keeps energy up. But read the room. If they're laughing, lean into it. If they're not, pivot and give them what they need instead. 

Third, anticipate the intelligent rebuttal. If you're making a strong argument, think through what a smart person who disagrees with you would say. Acknowledge the nuance, address the other side, and then make your case even stronger. That's how you build credibility. 

Fourth, ask a question the audience can't immediately answer. Present a conundrum and stay with them in that tension for a moment. That's what makes people lean forward. Then, when you deliver the answer, it lands with more weight because they've been sitting with the problem. 

Fifth, appeal to different learning styles and feel the room in real time. Some people need statistics and data. Make sure you have some. Some people are visual learners. What are you giving them so your message sticks? Some people need to feel something for your message to land. Where are you giving them that emotional connection? When you're intentional about reaching people in different ways, your impact grows. And pay attention as you go. If the room wants depth, drill deeper. If they want energy, bring it.

A great presentation isn't rigid. It's responsive. 

And finally, respect the time. If you say you're going to speak for 15 minutes, don't go over. Staying within your allotted time shows you value people's attention, and that alone builds trust.  

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For more information on Anthony or to book him for your next corporate event, visit https://anthonymclean.org/  

Anthony's book All Fired Up is available on Amazon, Indigo and at various retailers: https://anthonymclean.org/book

If you’re interested in learning more about my effective leadership communication training, visit my coaching page or email me at hello@rapconsulting.ca