Most presenters feel a bit safer behind the lectern. It’s a handy spot to rest your notes, grip the edges, feel safe, and create a sense of control. But that comfort and safety come with a hidden cost – connection. The lectern may make you feel secure, but to your audience, it can look like a wall between you and them. If your goal is to truly connect, inspire, and engage, stepping out from behind the lectern is one of the simplest and boldest changes you can make.
The Lectern Problem
When you stay locked behind the lectern, you limit the very tools that make communication powerful.
- The audience sees less of you – your gestures, posture, and body language.
- You can’t move freely, so your presentation feels static.
- Your voice may sound more restricted or less dynamic.
- You risk seeming less open or authentic, as if you’re hiding just a little.
The lectern might feel like a shield, but it also signals distance. And in public speaking, distance weakens impact.
Why Stepping Forward Works
Yes, stepping out front can feel intimidating. But that’s exactly why it works; it shows courage and confidence. When you step away from the lectern and stand where everyone can see you, something changes. Your message becomes more personal. People see your expressions, your movement, and your energy. They sense that you’re speaking with them, not at them.
Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s choosing to be real, even when it feels uncomfortable. Audiences recognise and respect that. They respond to authenticity far more than perfection.
The Power of Presence and Movement
Leaving the lectern doesn’t mean wandering the stage aimlessly. It’s about using your full space confidently and purposefully.
- Eye contact makes listeners feel seen and included.
- Gestures bring energy and clarity to your message.
- Movement adds life, variety, and visual interest.
- Your voice naturally becomes more expressive when you can breathe and move freely.
Together, these elements turn a speech into a conversation, an exchange of ideas rather than a download of information.
Real Connection Comes from Courage
Great speakers know that communication isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.
Every time you step out from behind the lectern, you send a subtle yet powerful message:
- I’m here with you.
- I’m open.
- I want to connect.
That’s when audiences truly listen.
So next time you’re tempted to stay hidden behind that wooden box, take a breath, step forward, and stand in your message.
Because influence doesn’t come from hiding , it comes from having the courage to be seen.