Want to connect with your audience? Take a step closer

Hope you've been enjoying your summer and all the things that go with it—ice cream, picnics, pool parties... and, of course, lemonade stands.

Well, I recently came across a lemonade stand on a whole new level.

It was a Children's Business Fair.

If you've never heard of one, don't worry—I'd never heard of one either.

Picture a community hockey rink transformed into a bustling expo. Rows of tables. Brightly coloured displays. Young entrepreneurs selling everything from lemonade to toys, aprons, and even self-authored books.

Children's faces have been intentionally blurred.

My daughter, Ayla, was there with her friends, proudly selling the jewellery and greeting cards they had made.

It was pretty inspiring to walk around and see what these kids had created.

But what fascinated me even more was watching how they interacted with customers.

The booths that drew me in all had the basics: a warm smile, a friendly greeting, an invitation to come over, and enthusiastic explanations about what they were selling. Even when I didn't buy anything, they thanked me graciously.

Good communication. Good sales skills.

But the children who really caught my attention did one extra thing:

They stood up.

And the most engaging of all stepped out from behind their table.

That one simple move made a remarkable difference.

More than once, I found myself walking over to a booth I had been planning to pass by. And once I got there, the conversation felt far more engaging because I was speaking with them, not across a table.

It reminded me of something I see all the time in presentations.

Many speakers instinctively hide behind a podium.

It feels comfortable. It feels safe.

But it also creates a barrier.

When people can see your full body language, your message becomes more engaging and more believable.

Your gestures, posture, and movement reinforce what you're saying, helping audiences understand and trust you more easily.

And this isn't just about speaking on a stage.

Whether you're presenting in a boardroom, facilitating a workshop, or pitching an idea across a conference table, moving closer can help you connect with your audience.

It reduces the physical distance between you, making the interaction feel more personal and conversational.

That sense of connection builds trust. And when people trust you, they're far more open to your ideas.

So the next time you're presenting, try this: 

• If there's a podium, stand beside it rather than behind it whenever you can.

  
  

• If you're on a stage, take a few steps towards your audience.

  
  

• If you're in a meeting room, don't stay rooted to one spot. Move with purpose. Even walking to the other side of the room or table can change the energy.

  
  

• If you're presenting from around a boardroom table, stand up and move to the front of the room if you can.

No need to get uncomfortably close!

Just close enough that your audience feels you're speaking with them, not at them.

Whether you're on a stage, in a boardroom, or standing beside a flipchart, take a step closer.

Every step you take towards your audience is a step towards earning their attention, their trust, and ultimately, their buy-in. 

🍋 Here's to more summer adventures...and maybe even some lemonade!