Presenting Yourself in Front of Others: Insights from the Academic Speakers’ Club

How can we feel more confident when presenting ourselves and our work in front of others? That was the focus of the latest session of the WU Academic Speakers’ Club (ASC) on 29 October 2025 — a peer-driven community where WU employees come together to develop their communication and presentation skills in a supportive, low-pressure setting.

The session was led by Mariia Kostetskaia and Diana Lauer, ASC team members, and explored what it really means to “present yourself.”

Participants were encouraged to reflect on their own presentation habits and to experiment with new techniques. Through short individual presentations and detailed feedback rounds, the group discussed aspects such as presence, authenticity, and the ability to connect with the audience. Rather than focusing on content, the goal was to observe and learn from how messages are delivered.

“We often present in professional contexts but rarely receive feedback on how we actually appear to others,” one participant said. “It’s refreshing to have a safe space to learn together.”

The peer feedback focused on clarity, confidence, engagement, and emotional connection. As participants exchanged observations, they discovered how small adjustments like a slower pace, gesturing or a clearer structure could completely change the impact of a message.

“It can already make a difference how you walk into the room,” one participant noted. “Confidence starts before you even begin speaking.”

In small group exercises, everyone also worked on short self-introductions, the kind of mini-pitch one might use at a conference or networking event. Participants shared how challenging it can be to find the right balance between professionalism and personality, especially in English, where tone and expression can feel slightly different.

The session also showed how diverse the motivations for joining the club are: for some, it’s about preparing for their Defensio; for others, about becoming more natural and persuasive in everyday communication. What unites everyone is the willingness to learn from each other, try new things, and grow in a supportive environment.

To wrap up, Diana reminded everyone of a timeless quote by Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

This message captured the essence of the session, that effective communication is not only about content, but about confidence, connection, and personal presence.

The Academic Speakers’ Club offers a space to practice these skills through interactive exercises on topics such as public speaking, impromptu talks, networking, and negotiation. Everyone is welcome to join whenever and as often as they like.

Questions, suggestions, or specific presentation needs? Feel free to contact us at asc@wu.ac.at or visit our website: WU Academic Speakers’ Club.

Next session: Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 10:00–12:00 | Room D2.0.382
Topic: Difficult Conversations