7 min read 28th Feb 2025
Having delivered thousands of live weather forecasts for the BBC, often in front of millions, I know what it’s like to be under scrutiny. Every word, every gesture, and every pause is analysed, sometimes more than the message itself. It’s a constant reminder that how you communicate is just as important as what you say.
That’s why it’s fascinating to watch high-profile figures struggle with public speaking. Liz Truss delivering words with little energy or conviction, Keir Starmer reading his speech like a script he’s seeing for the first time or Boris Johnson losing his place and filling the silence with a Peppa Pig anecdote. With cameras rolling and millions watching, even the smallest slip-up can be magnified. These moments might make headlines, but they also highlight some of the most common presentation pitfalls.
The good news? These mistakes are avoidable. Here’s how not to present, and how you can make sure your own presentations land with impact.
The Scripted Snooze: Keir Starmer
A few weeks ago, Keir Starmer delivered a speech on the UK’s support for Ukraine, a moment to demonstrate strong leadership. Unfortunately, his reliance on a written script made him seem unprepared and disconnected, something which would be at odds with what he wanted to achieve. With minimal eye contact and little variation in tone, his speech felt more like a reading exercise than a persuasive address. Audiences want to feel that a speaker is engaged with them, not simply reciting words off a page.
Lesson #1: Speak to Your Audience, Not at Them
Using a script is fine, but don’t let it become a crutch. Instead of reading word-for-word, structure your speech using Aristotle’s pillars of rhetoric, Ethos, Pathos, and Logos.
Ethos establishes your authority; why should your audience trust you? Credibility isn’t just about your name and job title; it’s about demonstrating that you understand their needs and have a compelling reason for speaking. Connecting ethos to the ‘why’ behind your message, why this matters to you and why it should matter to them. It’s a powerful way to build trust.
Pathos connects with your audience emotionally. This isn’t about manipulating feelings but about making your message relevant. Storytelling, personal anecdotes, or vivid language help people see themselves in your message. If they feel heard, they are more likely to engage.
Logos ensures your argument is logical and well-structured. Organising your key points in groups of three makes them easier to remember. Think of famous advertising slogans like “Just Do It”, safety instructions like “See it, Say it, Sorted” or political messages like “Yes We Can.” This structure helps ideas stick in people’s minds.
The best speeches aren’t about what you want to say, but about what your audience needs to hear. Use bullet points or cue cards to guide you, rehearse enough that you can lift your eyes from the page, make eye contact, and speak naturally. Authenticity builds trust, and trust builds influence.
The Lacklustre Delivery: Liz Truss
Liz Truss’s 2022 Conservative Party Conference speech was meant to reinvigorate her party, but it did the opposite. Her delivery was stilted, her gestures overly rigid, and her tone flat. it didn’t help that Ms. Truss was already known for her awkward public appearances and was haunted by the now notorious “pork markets” speech at the Conservative Party conference in 2014, when she was Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. That moment, with its oddly exaggerated delivery and unnatural movements, became emblematic of her struggle to connect with audiences. As one MP who backed her for the leadership later put it: “Her biggest failure has been her inability to communicate her vision coherently.” A lack of vocal variety or enthusiasm can make even the most important message fall flat. If a speaker doesn’t seem invested in their own words, why should the audience be?
Lesson #2: Bring Energy and Presence
A great presentation isn’t just about words, it’s about delivery. Vary your tone, pace, and volume to keep your audience engaged. Use gestures with purpose, not as an afterthought. And most importantly, believe in what you’re saying. Passion is contagious, and audiences respond to speakers who bring energy to the room.
The Peppa Pig Detour: Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson’s 2021 CBI conference speech is now infamous. After losing his place in his notes, he scrambled for nearly 20 seconds before launching into a bizarre, off-topic anecdote about his visit to Peppa Pig World. Instead of demonstrating leadership, he became the subject of ridicule. While humour and personal stories can be powerful tools (and hey, Peppa Pig World is wonderful) they need to serve the message, not distract from it.
Lesson #3: Stay Focused and Be Prepared
Losing your place can happen to anyone, but a well-prepared speaker knows how to recover smoothly. Structure your speech so you always know where you are. However, over-rehearsing and memorising every word can backfire, if your mind wanders, it’s much harder to get back on track. That’s why using bullet points or key phrases instead of a full script can be more effective. This approach allows for flexibility while keeping you anchored in your message. If you do go off-script, ensure that what you say still ties back to your main point. A strong speech is one where every part reinforces the core idea without feeling rigid or robotic.
Be remembered for the right reasons
Starmer, Truss, and Johnson have all fallen victim to the perils of poor public speaking, proving that even the most powerful figures can get it spectacularly wrong in important moments. But their blunders are our gain, because we don’t have to make the same mistakes. By ditching the robotic script-reading, injecting some energy, and staying on message, we can do what they couldn’t: deliver a presentation that lands. Whether you’re pitching to clients, leading a team meeting, or stepping onto a conference stage, these lessons will help you hold attention, build credibility, and make sure your audience remembers you for the right reasons.
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