Early in my career, I froze during a presentation. I was standing in front of a group of employees at a client company, doing my best to deliver the content I’d prepared. Then I noticed it—snickering in the back of the room. A couple of people whispering, laughing quietly, not even trying to hide it. My focus slipped. My words got tangled. I felt every ounce of confidence drain away.

The HR manager hosting the meeting finally stepped in and asked them to stop, but the damage was done. Later, my boss—who had been observing me—said something I’ll never forget:

“You had every right to take back control. You could’ve looked at them and said, ‘Would you like to share that with everyone?’”

That simple sentence reshaped how I think about presence.

The Moment Every Speaker Dreads

Even the most competent professionals, especially those who lead with their expertise, can be thrown off when the audience shifts. It might be a side conversation, a pair of whispering colleagues, or an eye roll caught in the corner of your vision. In that instant, your brain leaves your message and heads straight for the story:
They’re not listening. They don’t respect me. I’ve lost them.

It’s not weakness. It’s wiring. Your brain perceives that behavior as a social threat, and your focus moves from connection to self-protection. For technical leaders like Lucy—people who value clarity, logic, and competence—it can feel especially jarring. You came to deliver value, not manage behavior. Yet leadership presence means doing both.

Reclaiming the Room with S.T.E.P.S.™

These moments aren’t about handling “hecklers.” They’re about regaining ownership of your presence. Here’s how I’d coach a client through it, using parts of my 5 S.T.E.P.S.™ method.

S – Summon Your Inner Champion

Before you react, breathe. Remember you belong at the front of that room. You’re the expert in this space. Summoning your inner champion doesn’t mean puffing up your ego, it means returning to calm authority.

A quick internal cue like, “I’ve got this,” keeps your voice and posture steady.

T – Tackle Obstacles Early

If the distraction is small, like quiet chatter, pause. Silence often does more than words. Most people will self-correct. If it continues, use calm, clear language: “Let’s pause for a moment, sounds like there’s another discussion happening. I’d love to have one conversation at a time.” You’re not scolding; you’re resetting the tone.

E – Energize & Engage

Sometimes disengagement signals confusion or disagreement. Instead of guessing, invite participation: “It sounds like there are a few thoughts in the room. Would someone like to share a different perspective?” This move turns tension into dialogue and shows confidence without defensiveness.

P – Prime Your Presence

Preparation isn’t just about slides, it’s mental conditioning. Before a big meeting or talk, visualize staying composed no matter what unfolds. Picture yourself handling interruptions smoothly. The mind rehearses the same way the body does.

S – Share Stories That Stick

After an experience like mine, share the lesson. When you tell stories about how you learned to handle challenge, you connect more deeply. Audiences appreciate your ability to be human and course correct in the moment.

What I Learned That Day

Presence isn’t about never being rattled. It’s about noticing when you are and choosing what happens next. If the room turns, it doesn’t mean you’ve lost it. It means you have an opportunity to model composure, clarity, and leadership in real time. Those moments reveal more about your professionalism than any perfectly delivered slide ever could.

Ready to Strengthen Your Speaking Presence?

If situations like this still catch you off guard, let’s work on that together. I help professionals like you find calm, credible authority. I am the go to for people who want to show up, speak up and own any room they walk into.

Book your Free Confidence Call and let’s make sure the next time the room shifts, you stay steady and in control.