To exude confidence with a skeptical audience, your body language must project certainty without aggression. Start by grounding yourself—plant both feet firmly and stand tall with an open posture. Keep your shoulders relaxed, chest slightly lifted, and maintain steady eye contact across the room. Use purposeful gestures: palms visible, controlled movements, no fidgeting. Avoid crossing arms or pacing excessively, as it signals defensiveness. Most importantly, pause intentionally after key points; it shows you're in command and not rushed. Your composure will subtly shift skepticism into respect.

If you're nervous, don't try to hide it. Tell them. If you aren't a confident person by nature, admit it. The truly brave do not care about the judgement of others, especially when they already have the courage to face humanity's biggest fear: Public Speech. You had it in you to get this far, most of them never will To hell with what they think. Say what you came here to say and move on. Your body language will catch up. Don't fake it till you make it, be it. Even if it's clunky at first.

When addressing a skeptical audience, I approach body language like I would a model: structured, intentional, and optimized for clarity. First, I ground myself, feet planted, posture tall, signaling control and stability. Second, I maintain steady eye contact to communicate focus without aggression. Third, I use open, deliberate gestures (never rushed) to emphasize conviction and transparency. Even my pauses are purposeful, allowing ideas to land without defensiveness. Everything is calibrated to project confidence without overcompensation. Just like in risk strategy, composure under scrutiny is often the most compelling signal.

Talk from heart to heart. Make eye contact while presenting. Present in such a way that the audience are enchanted with the energy and confidence you spread around. Add a touch of humour while presenting. Be true to your own self. Interract as much as possible with the audience.

Internally acknowledge and respect their skepticism. This will make it easier to avoid a defensive or combative posture and embody a welcoming almost host-like posture. Nervousness produces energy; try to use that energy to generate excitement for your ideas and for people who have come to hear them. Do your best not to rush, even if you have to force a "thoughtful" pause.

In Australia’s direct business culture, confidence in presentations comes from more than just words—body language is key. Stand tall with an open posture, avoiding crossed arms or slouched shoulders. Use purposeful hand gestures to reinforce key points without overdoing it. Maintain steady eye contact to build trust and engagement. Move naturally but with intention—pacing too much can signal nervousness. Control your breathing and use deliberate pauses to project authority. Most importantly, back yourself—if you believe in your message, your body language will reflect it. Confidence isn’t just seen; it’s felt by your audience.

Stand tall with an open posture—shoulders back, feet firmly planted. Maintain steady eye contact to build trust and connection. Use controlled gestures to emphasize key points without overdoing it. Avoid defensive signals like crossing arms or fidgeting. Move with purpose rather than pacing nervously. Most importantly, breathe deeply and pause intentionally, showing you're in command. Confidence is felt before it's heard.

The biggest thing for me is authenticity. You may have doubtful/skeptical people in the audience, however, if you are comfortable with your topic and speak with authenticity, then you are already winning. Confidence isn’t about overpowering the room, it’s about owning your presence. I focus on steady breathing, standing tall with my shoulders back, making intentional movements, and maintaining steady eye contact.

Stand tall with open posture, maintain steady eye contact, and use purposeful gestures. Smile genuinely, move with ease, and pause for emphasis. Own the space your confidence reassures them. Believe in your message, and they will too.