If you think you're not being effective JUST stop!

It happens. You've done your homework, rehearsed countless times—alone, with family, and with colleagues. Your presentation is polished, your slides are flawless, and you feel calm and confident.

Yet, as you start presenting, something feels off. You’re not nervous, but you sense you’re not being as effective as you’d hoped. The audience seems disengaged, and it feels like your message isn’t landing.

Despite all your preparation, sometimes things just don’t go as planned. You can sense it through the audience’s expressions, their lack of focus, or simply that gut feeling—your sixth sense telling you that something is amiss.

So, what do you do when this happens?

You could continue to the end, leave the room, and wonder if your message really got through. Or, you can take a bold step: pause.

Stop for a moment and check in with your audience: "I’m trying to convey [insert your presentation’s key message], but I feel like I might not be hitting the mark. Am I right? Is my feeling correct?"

These few simple words offer a valuable opportunity. They reinforce your purpose, ensure that your message is being understood, and give you the chance to course-correct if needed.

There’s nothing wrong with pausing to assess your effectiveness. In fact, it shows remarkable professionalism and confidence. Many presenters shy away from this because they fear it might appear as a sign of weakness or ineffectiveness.

But by stopping to engage with your audience, you’re signaling something important: "You matter to me, and it’s important that you fully grasp my message." 

It’s a subtle yet powerful communication strategy that demonstrates deep respect for your audience, making them feel valued and involved.