The higher up the ladder you go, the more your perspective matters, and the more confident you need to be of your convictions as you present them to your team. In today’s post, Dean explores a particular emotion that can fuel your confidence and inspire your audiences.
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Sometimes you just have to get mad. As presenters, we’re expected to be leaders—people who are strong, confident, and worth following. But the truth is, confidence isn’t always constant. Things rattle us, shake us, and throw us off our game—and the higher the stakes, the more likely that inner rattle will show up.
At SagePresence, we teach the power of direct eye contact—really looking at the person you’re talking to so they can feel your attention and presence. That’s a great way to project confidence. But here’s the catch: when you’re rattled, that same eye contact can actually transmit your fear, because whatever you’re feeling tends to cross that connection.
So here’s a back-pocket trick for when you feel unsteady: get mad. Not angry—anger is directed at someone. Mad energy is about conviction, seriousness, and importance. When you channel that energy, you communicate strength. For example, saying, “This has to happen. We need to do this because it matters,” carries heat and certainty. That energy fuels your focus and makes your eye contact land with purpose rather than fear.
So the next time you feel shaky or unsure, don’t get angry—but do get mad. Use that energy to show conviction, clarity, and strength. It will not only steady you, it will make your audience feel your confidence too.
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