Own the Wall: How to Command the Stage When the Screen Is Bigger Than You

How do you stand out without being overpowered by technology? Seasoned speakers know how to navigate the stage. But what happens when you’re in front of a floor-to-ceiling screen and you look small by comparison?

As an executive speech coach, I help clients own the room but that becomes more challenging with a giant screen as a background. The goal is to make sure that the room doesn’t own you!

Keep these tips in mind to command the stage.

Simplify & Scale.

•      A large screen amplifies every detail making slides look more cluttered.

•      Project one idea per slide.

•      Limit text to 3-5 words and make them super large.

•      Develop oversized visuals that will display to the back of the room.

•    Create contrast with a dark background and light text or a light background and dark text.

  Avoid these graphics to prevent the audience from reading.

•       Small charts

•        Complex diagrams

• Spread sheets

•       Paragraphs

Manage your Physical Space

•  Stand off center as to not block the slide.

• Use purposeful movement. Moving purposefully across the stage will bring the attention back to you.

• Move forward for an emotional moment. Step to the side to bring focus back to the slide.

• Stand 15-20 feet from the slide.

Match your Energy to the Size of the Screen

This requires a performance, not a standard board presentation.

•        Use bigger, wider gestures. Take up space.

•        Project your voice more strongly to make a greater impact.

•        Pause strategically and longer.

Partner with the Screen

Do not point. The audience won’t see your finger. Instead,

•        Use words to direct attention to the slide, “Take a look at the upper right hand corner..,”

•        Create Builds. By revealing one idea at a time you control the attention of the audience.

•       Go to black to tell a story so that the slide doesn’t compete with you. You can create a black slide by pressing the letter /b/ on the keyboard.

Get Out of the Shadows

Avoid being cast in a shadow being seen as a silhouette. Work with a lighting expert and ask for

•        Front lighting

•       Some side lighting for contrast

•       Dress rehearsal with lighting

Keep Transitions Simple

On a large screen fast-moving slides can jolt the audience.

•       Transition slowly

•       Don’t use flashy animations

•       Use simple fades

Structure the Talk like a Movie

• Start with a strong opening visual

• Add one memorable visual toward the end

• Keep the final slide clean with no clutter

 Own the Room

When presenting with a giant screen there are two choices.

You own the room OR

The room owns you.

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Read Knockout Presentations

Diane DiResta Delivers High-Impact Keynote at City Club Summit in New York City

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY — April 2, 2026 — Executive communication expert Diane DiResta, founder of DiResta Communications, delivered a powerful and engaging presentation at the City Club Summit hosted by the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) on April 1, 2026.

The event, held at the prestigious University Club of New York, brought together general managers and hospitality professionals from private clubs across the region for a day of leadership development and industry insights.

DiResta’s session, “Own the Room: Leadership Communication that Gets Results,” focused on helping leaders elevate their executive presence, build authentic rapport, and transform complex ideas into clear, compelling messages that drive action.

Despite being the final session on the last day of the conference, the program drew a strong audience and delivered exceptional impact. 100% of attendees rated the session as valuable, reflecting the relevance of communication skills in today’s leadership landscape.

One participant shared candidly:

“I was debating whether to skip the last session—and I’m so glad I stayed.”

DiResta’s interactive approach and practical frameworks resonated with attendees responsible for leading teams, communicating with boards, and delivering high-stakes presentations in the private club and hospitality industry.

“Leaders today don’t just need to communicate—they need to connect, influence, and inspire,” said DiResta. “When you can simplify complexity and speak with clarity and confidence, you don’t just deliver a message—you drive results.”

With more than 30 years of experience, DiResta is a sought-after speaker and executive speech coach who has worked with leaders across industries including financial services, healthcare, and hospitality. She is the author of Knockout Presentations and a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP).

About Diane DiResta

Diane DiResta is the founder of DiResta Communications Inc, a New York-based consultancy specializing in executive communication, leadership presence, and high-stakes presentations. She works with senior leaders to help them communicate with confidence, clarity, and influence.

Media Contact

Diane DiResta
DiResta Communications, Inc.

www.diresta.com

How to Give Feedback Without Causing Humiliation

How to Give Feedback Without Causing Humiliation

What is the number one fear people report?
Public speaking.

When I wrote my book, Knockout Presentations, I conducted an informal poll asking people why they feared speaking in public. The answers varied:

• “All eyes are on me.”

• “I hate being in the spotlight.”

• “I might lose my train of thought.”

• “I could freeze or trip on stage.”

But when I looked deeper, a common thread emerged.

The real fear behind public speaking is humiliation.
People don’t want to look foolish or feel judged.

This same fear appears in another workplace situation: performance reviews and presentation feedback.

A study reported in Harvard Business Review by researchers Bin Zhao, Rebecca L. Dunkailo, Judith Clair, and Ryan L. Boyd analyzed more than 400 responses about workplace humiliation. The results were striking:

• 81% of people reported feeling humiliated at work at some point in their careers.

• 78% remembered the incident years later.

The emotional impact lingered long after the event—and for some people, it caused them to shut down.

Now imagine giving a presentation and then receiving feedback. If handled poorly, feedback can reinforce that fear of humiliation.

The goal of feedback should always be growth, not embarrassment.

Here are practical steps to give feedback that improves performance while preserving dignity.

1. Prepare Yourself and the Speaker

Effective feedback begins with preparation.

First, prepare yourself.
Calm your mind and ground your body. Never give feedback when you are rushed, irritated, or emotional. If necessary, schedule the conversation for a later time.

Next, prepare the speaker.
Explain how the feedback process will work. If they requested feedback, ask what they hope to gain from it and how they prefer to receive it.

Some people want feedback on one specific aspect of their presentation. Others want a broader evaluation.

When people understand the process and your intention to help, they are more open to learning.

2. Ask the Speaker to Self-Evaluate First

Before offering your observations, ask the speaker:

“How do you think it went?”

Self-evaluation serves two purposes:

• It reveals their level of self-awareness

• It helps you tailor feedback to what matters most to them

Often speakers already recognize what worked and what didn’t.

Starting here creates a collaborative conversation rather than a one-sided critique.

3. Listen Before You Evaluate

It’s common for people to jump straight into giving advice.

Instead, listen holistically.

Pay attention to:

• Body language

• Tone of voice

• Word choice

• Confidence level

Do their words match their nonverbal communication?

Listening first demonstrates respect and helps you give more thoughtful feedback.

4. Start With Strengths

Begin with what worked well.

Ask the speaker:
What are the “keepers”?

When speakers know what they did well, they can repeat and build on those behaviors.

Many people focus only on what went wrong and fail to recognize their strengths. Highlighting those strengths builds confidence and makes the speaker more receptive to improvement suggestions.

5. Focus on “Next-Level” Improvement

Language matters when giving feedback.

Avoid labeling something as a weakness.

Instead, frame improvement as the next level of growth.

Everyone has a next level.

The goal is to identify:

• Where the speaker struggled

• What skills will close that gap

How this stage is handled determines whether the person feels humiliated—or empowered.

I learned this lesson early in my career.

When I was a graduate student studying speech pathology, I worked in a speech clinic with my first client—a 54-year-old man who stuttered. My supervisor observed through a one-way mirror.

Naturally, I was nervous.

When she asked how I felt about the session, I admitted my anxiety.

Her response?

“It showed.”

Ouch.

She could have said, “Everyone feels nervous the first time,” and then coached me on how to manage it.

Decades later, I still remember that moment.

Words matter.

6. Invite Their Response

After giving feedback, ask:

“What do you think?”

This keeps the conversation open and collaborative.

It allows the speaker to clarify misunderstandings, share their perspective, and process what they heard.

Feedback becomes a partnership rather than a verdict.

The Bottom Line

Most people want feedback. Done well, it becomes one of the most powerful tools for professional growth.

Done poorly, it can create humiliation that people remember for years.

When feedback is delivered with respect, clarity, and partnership, it transforms presentations—and confidence.

And that’s how people learn to deliver knockout presentations.

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Speak Without Fear — Any Time, Anywhere

By Diane DiResta, CSP
Professional Speaker | Virtual Presentation Coach with AI | Executive Presence & Leadership Coach
February 5, 2026

Public speaking isn’t reserved for extroverts. Yet for many professionals, the fear of speaking up—whether on stage, on Zoom, or in a meeting—keeps their ideas hidden and their visibility limited.

Imagine delivering a presentation and feeling calm, focused, and confident. For many, that feels unrealistic. Public speaking consistently ranks as the number one fear, even surpassing the fear of death. According to Crown Consulting, 77% of people experience some level of speaking anxiety.

The goal isn’t to eliminate nerves entirely. The goal is to remove fear as a barrier to being seen, heard, and taken seriously.

Confidence doesn’t require years of practice—or standing on a physical stage.

Thanks to artificial intelligence, professionals can now deliver presentations, share ideas, and establish authority without the traditional pressures of live speaking.

One example is virtual presentation technology created by David Litwin, CEO of Detail Models and VOX AI, which allows speakers to present on a realistic, virtual stage using their own voice and image. Think of it as public speaking for introverts—or anyone who wants a low-stress way to be visible.

Curious, I tested it myself.

I sent a still photograph and recorded a short presentation on my iPhone using Voice Notes. Within days, I received a video of myself standing on a stage, behind a microphone, in front of an audience—wearing the same red dress from the original photo.

Speaker Video https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mh2NyEHguTShbRnWL-CTDlXJcif2YP3F/view?usp=sharing.

What stood out:

• The audio quality was excellent—it was my real voice.

• The gestures and expressions were natural and engaging.

• There was no memorization, no pressure, and no fear of losing my train of thought.

• I could read from notes and record multiple takes.

This wasn’t traditional video editing. The entire presentation was generated from a single still image and voice recording—creating a polished, professional result with minimal effort.

An added benefit? This technology can be used to give prospective clients a preview of a keynote or presentation before booking—something that traditionally requires costly demo videos.

When fear is removed from the equation, professionals gain:

• Visibility without anxiety

• Confidence without years of stage experience

• Consistency in message delivery

• Credibility through professional presentation

Instead of avoiding speaking opportunities, leaders can now:

• Share ideas through email and social media

• Deliver presentations without stepping on stage

• Build a personal brand using their real voice and image

This approach doesn’t replace live speaking—it creates a bridge to it.

If you’ve been avoiding public speaking, start small and strategic.

1. Use virtual presentation tools to practice and publish your message in a low-risk environment.

2. Focus on clarity, not perfection. Your message matters more than flawless delivery.

3. Increase visibility incrementally—short videos, internal presentations, or client previews.

4. Get support when fear persists. Only 8% of people with public speaking anxiety seek professional help, yet coaching accelerates confidence faster than trial and error.

As an executive speech coach, I help leaders speak with authority—on stage, on camera, and in high-stakes conversations. If fear is holding you back, you don’t have to manage it alone.

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You don’t need to eliminate fear to speak powerfully.
You need the right tools, strategies, and support.

Speaker Introductions: Set the Speaker Up for Success

Here are some tips to set the speaker up for success.

1.Do not use the speaker’s bio for the introduction. Ask the speaker to send their introduction.

2. Speak to the presenter in advance to get a feel for their personality and presentation.

3.Triple space the written introduction to make reading easy.

4.Write notes or create emojis to remind you to smile or pause.

5.Rehearse out loud and time yourself. It’s a performance not a reading.

6.Walk to the front of the room with energy. Center yourself and make direct eye contact with the audience and smile.

7.In the absence of a speaker introduction, use this format: TEPS:

-Topic: Present the title or topic

-Experience: Briefly cite the experience or credentials of the speaker

-Personalize: Tell the audience something to humanize the speaker

-Speaker’s Name: End with the speaker’s name. “Help me welcome Diane DiResta…”

Make sure you practice the pronunciation of the speaker’s name.

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The Missing Piece That Can Sabotage Your Presentation

You may have good platform skills as a public speaker. But that’s not enough. It takes more than confidence and skills in the room or on the stage. The part that often gets overlooked is the piece that can sabotage your presentation.

The missing piece is STAGING. That's right. Staging is not just for a platform. If you're planning an event where people will be sharing their thoughts or accolades, how you stage the room will determine the success of the meeting or presentation.

Case in point: When I was a trainer for an investment banking firm in New York, we conducted a two-day off-site at a hotel. On Day One of the seminar there was a group of rowdy young men who sat together and could be disruptive. It took work to keep order. That night, my co-facililtator and I assessed the audience and the room. We decided that we would require participants to change seats on Day Two with one condition. We placed their name tags where we wanted them to sit and of course we broke up the rowdy group. We had more control and the seminar went smoothly.

 Recently, a client of mine planned his wedding in the middle of his coaching program. So we quickly pivoted to preparing him for any speaking he would do at the rehearsal dinner and at the wedding. One of the challenges was that family and friends wanted to stand up and say a few words. It turned out to be eight people which could have been unruly. In addition, his elderly grandmother couldn't attrend and he was sadly resigned to not hearing from her. Here is where staging comes in.

I suggested that he video record her best wishes and play the recording at the wedding so that her presence would be felt. Then we addressed the number of people who wanted to speak. It could have easily turned into a boring evening if he allowed all eight people to speak without any guidelines or plan. So we asked them to speak for one minute, knowing they would go over the time but it would not be a long speech.

Then we assessed their speaking skills. We determined the order by putting the skilled speakers at the beginning of the line-up, the average speakers in the middle, and the rest of the skilled speakers at the end. It was perfectly staged and the evening rehearsal dinner was a great success. Staging saved the day. Staging is not just for the theater. The next time you have an event where people will be speaking, plan a strategy and stage it for success. For more tips on staging, read chapter 9, Setting the Stage, in Knockout Presentations. #staging #publicspeaking #settingthestage #knockoutpresentations 

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