Stage fright? Fear of public speaking? Too shy to speak up? Intimidated by authority figures? Struggling to connect with your team members? If you're an entrepreneur or working professional and you're facing these or other communication challenges at the workplace, hop on! I'm Mridu Bhandari, TV Anchor & Journalist, Podcast Host, Public Speaking & Workplace Communication Coach & Entrepreneur. Every week I share learnings, experiences and actionable tips to help you SPEAK WITH IMPACT & OWN THE ROOM!
From US Capitol to Justin Trudeau to your Career: It's all about Powerful Speech!
Published 2 months agoΒ β’Β 4 min read
Speak with Impact & Own the Room
Issue #4
Hello hello!
How are you doing? April has been very interesting for me. I love to travel (as do most people these days!) and I was fortunate enough to spend some time in Washington, D.C. this month - that I really loved visiting. The high point was riding around on electric scooters all the time but also, I felt there was something in the air - democracy, public policy, activism - it was just different. Good different!
ποΈ I stood at the Capitol and imagined the conversations that shaped history
Visiting the US Capitol in April 2025
My favourite part of D.C. was visiting the US Capitol building - undoubtedly one of the finest pieces of architecture in the US and I loved taking a tour of it! As I walked through the majestic grounds and rooms of the Capitol, it struck me that thisis a place that has witnessed some of the most powerful conversations in the world.
As I looked around at the grand rotunda, the chamber doors, magnificent statues of state and national figures and the press podium, I could feel the weight of words spoken here.
Debates that shaped nations.
Speeches that inspired generations.
Deals made, alliances built, wars averted - all through communication.
It was as if a film in sepia tone ran through my mind!
I couldnβt help but think: βWhat makes a communicator powerful enough to move minds and shape history?
Itβs not just charisma. Or intellect. Itβs mastery of the Visual, Vocal, and Verbal - the 3 Vs of high-impact communication.
So today, I want to break down one speech of a global leader through that exact lens to help you learn from him and go on to speak with impact by using this technique.
π€ Speech Analysis: Justin Trudeau at the AI Action Summit, Paris 2025
In February 2025, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau delivered an address at the AI Action Summit in Paris.
Letβs break it down and study it using my favourite technique - the 3Vs.
Confident Posture: Trudeau maintained an upright and open stance throughout his address, conveying confidence and authority.β
Engaged Eye Contact: He frequently looked up from his notes, making eye contact with the audience, which helped establish a connection.β
Controlled Gestures: His hand movements were purposeful and aligned with his verbal messages, emphasising key points without being distracting.β
Areas for Improvement:
Facial Expressiveness: While his demeanour was composed, incorporating more varied facial expressions could have enhanced the emotional resonance of his message.β
Dynamic Movement: Introducing subtle movements or shifts in position might have added energy and helped maintain audience engagement.β
2. π Vocal (Tone, Pace, Emphasis)
What Worked:
Steady Pace: Trudeau spoke at a measured pace, allowing the audience to absorb complex information about AI and its implications.β
Clear Articulation: His pronunciation was precise, ensuring clarity in conveying his message.β
Strategic Pauses: He utilised pauses effectively to underscore significant points, giving the audience time to reflect.β
Areas for Improvement:
Vocal Variety: Incorporating more variation in pitch and tone could have added dynamism to his delivery, highlighting the urgency of certain topics.β
Emotional Inflection: Infusing more emotion into his voice when discussing the societal impacts of AI might have deepened the audience's connection to the subject matter.β
3. π Verbal (Choice of Words, Framing, Storytelling)
What Worked:
Clear Messaging: Trudeau emphasised the need for AI to benefit all segments of society, not just the affluent, stating, "We must put AI to the service of everyone, in both high and low income countries, not just for an increasingly small group of ultra-rich oligarchs whose only concern is the value of their stock portfolio. We must ensure the profits, the power, the benefits of the technology are shared fairly."
Call for Regulation: He advocated for transparency and accountability in AI development, highlighting the importance of ethical considerations.β
Promotion of Canada's Role: Trudeau positioned Canada as a leader in AI innovation, citing the country's clean energy resources and technological expertise.
Areas for Improvement:
Use of Anecdotes: Incorporating specific stories or examples could have made the content more relatable and memorable.β
Simplification of Complex Ideas: Breaking down technical aspects of AI into more digestible concepts might have enhanced audience understanding.β
Pro Tip: Study your own speech recordings through the lens of the 3Vs so you can improve fast and speak better! Trust me, it works!
Communication Tip of the Week π£οΈ
Before every big talk, ask yourself: βWhere is my emphasis?ββ If every sentence sounds the same, your audience zones out.
β βChange your rhythm, highlight key words, pause often.β This is how you bring musicality to your speech and make every word land.
Pro Tip: As a TV anchor, whenever I record voiceovers, I take a printout of the script and underline words to be emphasised and put a back slash (/) wherever I need to pause! Try this for your next presentation!
Over the last few months, many professionals have reached out to me saying:
βI know I can do the job. But I freeze in interviews.β
So here it is - Mentorleap's brand-new 2-Day Bootcamp designed to help you nail your next job interview.
Whether youβre gunning for a leadership role or re-entering the job market, this Interview Mastery Bootcamp will teach you how to:
β Answer tough questions with clarity β Frame your achievements with impact β Speak with executive presence under pressure β Avoid common body language mistakes β Build your own 90-second elevator pitch
ποΈ Dates: May 16 & 17, 2025 (Friday & Saturday) βπ Time: 7:00 to 9:00 PM IST (both days) βπ― Format: Online + Interactive + Role-play + Real-time Feedback
Till then, keep showing up. Keep speaking up. Because you never know who needs to hear your voice today.
Warmly, βMridu Bhandari π«π€β Public Speaking Coach | Leadership Communication Expert | TV Anchor & Journalist Founder & Chief Mentor, Mentorleap βHelping you own the room & speak with impact!
PS: If you'd like to learn directly from me - in a like minded group or 1:1, head over to the Speak with Impact page or reach out to me simply by hitting reply to this email!
Stage fright? Fear of public speaking? Too shy to speak up? Intimidated by authority figures? Struggling to connect with your team members? If you're an entrepreneur or working professional and you're facing these or other communication challenges at the workplace, hop on! I'm Mridu Bhandari, TV Anchor & Journalist, Podcast Host, Public Speaking & Workplace Communication Coach & Entrepreneur. Every week I share learnings, experiences and actionable tips to help you SPEAK WITH IMPACT & OWN THE ROOM!
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