Success Advice
5 Ways to Magnetize Your Audience

You’re putting yourself out there, which is brave. However, like many business owners, executives, and speakers, you may be struggling with this one question running on repeat — “How do I get them to…” (fill in the blank). That could be anything from, “buy my course”, to “pay attention to me”, to “listen to what I have to say”, and so many more. Regardless of what makes you nervous speaking to your audience, you’re not alone.
Here are 5 powerful ways to magnetize your audience so you can get and keep your audience’s attention:
1. Know Your Audience
First, you have to create your content for the audience you’re talking to. The presentation you give to your team should not be the same exact presentation you give to your investors. They have different interests, values, and concerns. If you tried to speak to those two different audiences in the same way, you’d leave everyone confused.
It’d be like trying to speak to computer programmers and makeup artists at the same time. They might both understand what you’re saying, but you’re not likely to get either audience to buy into your perspective without direct, focused attention on their issues, their values, and their unique solutions.
That’s why every time you speak, your signature talks must be tweaked to the demographic you are addressing. Business owners often show up looking for actionable advice and lean into stories that will help them shift their mindset to reach their goals. Executives, on the other hand, are looking for data-driven processes that will help them grow, while facing the unique challenges that come with a corporate setting.
2. Storytelling
There is one skill that will always keep your audience wanting more, that translates across every communication medium there is — storytelling. When you’re talking facts and figures, people usually tune out. Storytelling helps your audience connect and engage with the information you’re sharing.
Plus, storytelling actually helps your audience remember what you shared with them. All of a sudden, the ten tin shingles Ben got engraved with ten powerful memories for his 10th wedding anniversary for his spouse just became a much more powerful visual than the simple fact of “10th wedding anniversaries are represented by tin”. When you tell stories, you make memories.
“I’ll tell you a secret. Old storytellers never die. They disappear into their own story.” – Vera Nazarian
3. Look The Part
Seven seconds…that’s all the time you have to make a lasting impression on the audience you’re speaking to. This means that your outfit better be on point and fit the occasion. There are few things worse for a first impression than wearing something inappropriate or poorly put together.
You’ve got to remember that your clothes reflect your personality, awareness level, and authority. That means when people look at you, they’re subconsciously assessing if they can depend on your or not — if you can be trusted.
To avoid potentially negative on-sight first impressions, make sure your outfit is properly fitted and flatters your figure. You want to be comfortable so you can move with confidence. If you want to take it up a notch and truly command the space, choose the right color so no matter where you are in the room, eyes gravitate toward you.
Most importantly, you must look and feel like you—even when your look needs to be elevated. For example, if you wear jeans and a t-shirt most days but need to be suited up, find a suit you love. Otherwise you may feel restricted or inauthentic which will be apparent to everyone watching you. In fact, 55 percent of your presentation will be your body language so if you don’t feel confident in your attire, it will show in how you walk, stand, and move.
4. Create An Emotional Bond
Whether you are presenting to five people or 5,000 people, you must connect with your audience. Here are just a few ways to up your emotional bond game and magnetize your people.
- Start with a story instead of a “this is who I am” introduction. For example, walk them through how you have failed miserably with the first business you launched and then found success. Tie that back to what you’re going to teach them.
- Use silence for impact. Just a few seconds of pause after a key point or shocking statistic is essential. It’s also the perfect place for a visually engaging slide.
- Look into people’s eyes while you speak, especially if it looks like what you are saying is resonating with them. Keep individual eye contact between three to five seconds.
- Ask connection questions like “Has anyone here ever…”, then raise your hand to encourage the audience to do the same. This will increase inclusion and create authority.
- After asking the audience a question, ask someone to share. This will require you to respond on the fly so you must be ready.
- Tell a joke. Don’t worry if you aren’t the funniest person in the world. What is important is that the audience gets the reference. Inside jokes are often the best because they connect with the audience. For example, if you are presenting to video game designers, you could reference Cheetos and D&D and they would get it.
“There’s always room for a story that can transport people to another place.” – J.K. Rowling
5. End With A Bang
Your audience will always remember how your speech ended and how it made them feel. You’re either going to end with a bang, creating a surge of people who want to work with you, or you are going to end with crickets.
It’s all about a compelling ending. This might be a climax you’ve been building up to. A challenge or call to action. A final inspirational story. One last laugh. Whatever it is, make sure it’s scripted. It’s the final take away, the lasting impression, and you don’t want to leave it to chance.
Do you like to do public speaking? What’s your best piece of advice for someone who’s scared to speak in public? Share with us below!
Success Advice
Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)
The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

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The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025
Struggling to keep your team engaged? Here’s how leaders can turn frustrated employees into loyal advocates.

In workplaces around the world, there’s a growing gap between employers and employees and between superiors and their teams. It’s a common refrain: “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.”
While there are, of course, cases where management could do better, this isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. The relationship between leaders and employees is complex. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore practical solutions to build stronger, healthier workplaces where everyone thrives.
Why This Gap Exists
Every workplace needs someone to guide, supervise, and provide feedback. That’s essential for productivity and performance. But because there are usually far more employees than managers, dissatisfaction, fair or not, spreads quickly.
What if, instead of focusing on blame, we focused on building trust, empathy, and communication? This is where modern leadership and human-centered management can make a difference.
Tools and Techniques to Bridge the Gap
Here are proven strategies leaders and employees can use to foster stronger relationships and create a workplace where people actually want to stay.
1. Practice Mutual Empathy
Both managers and employees need to recognize they are ultimately on the same team. Leaders have to balance people and performance, and often face intense pressure to hit targets. Employees who understand this reality are more likely to cooperate and problem-solve collaboratively.
2. Maintain Professional Boundaries
Superiors should separate personal issues from professional decision-making. Consistency, fairness, and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation of a motivated team.
3. Follow the Golden Rule
Treat people how you would like to be treated. This simple principle encourages compassion and respect, two qualities every effective leader must demonstrate.
4. Avoid Micromanagement
Micromanaging stifles creativity and damages morale. Great leaders see themselves as partners, not just bosses, and treat their teams as collaborators working toward a shared goal.
5. Empower Employees to Grow
Empowerment means giving employees responsibility that matches their capacity, and then trusting them to deliver. Encourage them to take calculated risks, learn from mistakes, and problem-solve independently. If something goes wrong, turn it into a learning opportunity, not a reprimand.
6. Communicate in All Directions
Communication shouldn’t just be top-down. Invite feedback, create open channels for suggestions, and genuinely listen to what your people have to say. Healthy upward communication closes gaps before they become conflicts.
7. Overcome Insecurities
Many leaders secretly fear being outshone by younger, more tech-savvy employees. Instead of resisting, embrace the chance to learn from them. Humility earns respect and helps the team innovate faster.
8. Invest in Coaching and Mentorship
True leaders grow other leaders. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and stretch opportunities so employees can develop new skills. Leadership is learned through experience, but guided experience is even more powerful.
9. Eliminate Favoritism
Avoid cliques and office politics. Decisions should be based on facts and fairness, not gossip. Objective, transparent decision-making builds credibility.
10. Recognize Efforts Promptly
Recognition often matters more than rewards. Publicly appreciate employees’ contributions and do so consistently and fairly. A timely “thank you” can be more motivating than a quarterly bonus.
11. Conduct Thoughtful Exit Interviews
When employees leave, treat it as an opportunity to learn. Keep interviews confidential and use the insights to improve management practices and culture.
12. Provide Leadership Development
Train managers to lead, not just supervise. Leadership development programs help shift mindsets from “command and control” to “coach and empower.” This transformation has a direct impact on morale and retention.
13. Adopt Soft Leadership Principles
Today’s workforce, largely millennials and Gen Z, value collaboration over hierarchy. Soft leadership focuses on partnership, mutual respect, and shared purpose, rather than rigid top-down control.
The Bigger Picture: HR’s Role
Mercer’s global research highlights five key priorities for organizations:
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Build diverse talent pipelines
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Embrace flexible work models
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Design compelling career paths
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Simplify HR processes
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Redefine the value HR brings
The challenge? Employers and employees often view these priorities differently. Bridging that perception gap is just as important as bridging the relational gap between leaders and staff.
Treat Employees Like Associates, Not Just Staff
When you treat employees like partners, they bring their best selves to work. HR leaders must develop strategies to keep talent engaged, empowered, and prepared for the future.
Organizational success starts with people, always. Build the relationship with your team first, and the results will follow.
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