Why Great Communicators Get Heard (and Promoted)

Being a great leader isn’t just about what you know or how well you deliver—it’s about how effectively you communicate that expertise, and how clearly others see your leadership potential.

That’s where visibility and influence come in.

In this three-part series, we’re exploring what truly drives influence in technical leadership roles:

• Expertise – not just having it, but actively demonstrating it.
  
  
• Communication and public speaking – articulating ideas with clarity, confidence, and impact.
  
  
• Networks and relationships – building trust and influence beyond your immediate team.
  
  

In Part 2, we’ll dive into communication and public speaking, how tech leaders can shape perception, inspire teams, and grow their influence through clear, intentional communication.

Speaking to be heard

Great ideas don’t speak for themselves, and often they get lost. In tech, where brilliant thinking can often get buried under jargon or overlooked in meetings, or crushed by the loudest in the room, your ability to communicate clearly is what makes your influence real.

Effective communication is about more than just being articulate. It’s about expressing ideas in a way that resonates with your audience; whether that’s your team, your manager, the executive table, or a room of 300 at a tech conference. When you communicate well, you’re not just heard; you’re believed, trusted, and followed.

Want to boost your influence fast? 

Sharpen your communication style. The same communication tricks apply to individual conversations as to public speaking.

These three categories represent different aspects of public speaking that contribute to making a presentation effective, engaging, and memorable.

1. Delivery & Presentation:
   This is about how you physically and verbally present your message. It's the execution of your speech or presentation and includes:
   
   
   
   • First Impressions: When people first see you, are you smiling?
   • Voice control: Modulation of pitch, volume, and pace.
     Body language: Posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact all have a big impact.
   • Clarity: Clear articulation and smooth pacing.
   • Visuals: Using slides or props to enhance understanding.
     Presence: Confidence, authority, and overall appearance. Delivery ensures your message is received clearly and with impact.
     
     
2. Audience Engagement:
   This category focuses on connecting with your audience and ensuring they stay engaged and interested throughout your presentation. It includes:
   
   
   
   • Interaction: Asking questions, inviting audience feedback, or encouraging participation.
   • Adaptability: Reading the room and adjusting your delivery based on audience reactions.
   • Relatability: Using stories, examples, or humor that resonate with the audience's interests and concerns.
   • Active listening: Paying attention to audience cues, feedback, and adjusting your message accordingly.
   • Building rapport: Creating trust and a sense of connection with the audience.
     
     
3. Magic:
   This is the intangible spark that makes your presentation stand out. It's the combination of emotional connection, energy, and authenticity that leaves a lasting impression. While the first two categories are about the how and what of speaking, "Magic" is about the feeling you create during your presentation. It involves:
   
   
   
   • Passion and enthusiasm: Conveying genuine excitement and belief in your topic.
   • Storytelling: Engaging the audience with compelling, relatable narratives that evoke emotion.
     
     
   • Charisma: Drawing the audience in with your energy, authenticity, and presence.
     Inspiration: Motivating the audience to act or think differently after your presentation.
     
     

In essence, Delivery & Presentation ensures your message is clear, Audience Engagement keeps your listeners invested, and Magic creates a memorable, impactful experience that resonates long after you’ve finished speaking.

Public speaking is a great way to level up this skill quickly. It forces you to master clarity, body language, and message structure. But even within your day-to-day work, every email, meeting, or 1:1 is a chance to practice.

When you’re a strong communicator, you shape how others see you, and how far your ideas can travel.

Ready to grow your influence as a tech leader?

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‍Explore Kaleida’s technical leadership training programs—we share the tips and tricks about when to rub your hands together on stage, when to roll up your sleeves, how long to pause for… how to be heard.
Learn more about our courses

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