Crystal's Notes 26 April

We’ve entered the general election season and with that comes a masterclass in public communication.

I wrote about how a few female candidates had brought focus to their appearance here. Doing that might sound harmless, but would a man ever start a professional pitch by commenting on his face? Probably not.

What makes someone sound credible, charismatic and influential?

Let’s look at some real-life examples.

In one clip I analysed, a new candidate, Goh Hanyan, delivered a sharp, grounded introduction without a script. She made confident eye contact, used active verbs like “transforming” and “negotiating,” and structured her speech using the classic Logos–Ethos–Pathos structure.

She began with logic (what she’s done), signalled credibility (by sharing her background), and landed with emotional resonance (as a mother and daughter).

The result was gravitas with warmth, and authority without ego.

She did not apologise for how she looked, over-explain her worth, or dilute her opening with self-deprecating disclaimers.

Harpreet Singh also impressed with his great body language, expressive delivery, and strategic storytelling. He communicated with structure and clarity by using the rule of threes to organise his thoughts while maintaining strong, intelligent eye contact to underscore key points, before moving fluidly to a more casual mode of eye contact to establish a relatable vibe.

He also kept his language in the sweet spot of simple but sophisticated enough, so the listener did not feel talked down to, and distilled anecdotes to their essence, without rambling or melodrama.

I am not doing a political critique here. But there is much we can learn about owning our narrative and moving people with presence and precision.

Your voice is your power. Don’t clip your own wings.

Whether you’re speaking at a town hall, leading a workshop, or introducing yourself to the C-suite, what matters isn’t your appearance. It’s your clarity, conviction, and capacity to move people.

Here are a few practical shifts to consider:

• Start with a powerful insight or personal story, not a joke about your face, age or outfit

• Use action words to signal momentum and capability

• Structure your message intentionally with logos, pathos and ethos

• Let your tone and presence do the heavy lifting

Build Your Presence From Inside Out

Join us for our upcoming Deep Human workshops designed to help you lead with more influence, confidence, and authenticity.

Deep Human Confidence (28 & 29 May, Virtual Training): Learn to speak with clarity and presence, overcome imposter syndrome, and unlock authentic confidence in any room.

Deep Human Influence (31 May, Full-Day Masterclass): Master the art of navigating tough conversations, managing senior stakeholders, and building executive presence that lands.

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You don’t need permission to take up space. Speak with purpose, own your presence, and make it count.

Much love

Crystal