Yes, Emotional Intelligence matters when it comes to public speaking and presenting
There is no shortage of business presentations in the world. PowerPoint slides are a plenty, a whole lot of words are said and rooms full of eye rolls when yet another data dump has been delivered. Yet very few of these presentations are remembered, actioned, or talked about afterwards. Very few inspire us to think or do anything differently.
My last blog was all about the difference between confident and strategic speaking, today let’s dive into another layer. Why emotional intelligence matters too. Emotional intelligence is the skill of recognising, understanding and managing your own emotions while positively influencing how others feel and communicate with you
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is not “being soft” or sprinkling feelings around the room. It is a strategic communication skill. Leaders and speakers who master EQ have audiences leaning in, not checking out. They build trust. They influence decisions. They create change.
Here is why EQ is absolutely critical when you speak.
1. People respond to how you make them feel
Your audience isn’t processing every word you say. They’re absorbing your intent, your tone, your presence. When a speaker shows genuine warmth, curiosity, confidence, or empathy, people connect with them instantly. If your audience doesn’t trust you, it’s very difficult to influence them.
2. Speaking is a relationship, not a monologue
A high-EQ speaker reads the room moment by moment. They notice body language, shifts in energy, the eyebrows that rise when something doesn’t make sense. They adapt. They slow down. They clarify. They make the audience feel seen and included.
Connection first. Information second.
3. You can’t influence what you don’t understand
Real influence isn’t forceful. It’s not manipulation. It is aligning your ideas with what matters to your audience. EQ gives you the curiosity to understand their pain points, hopes, fears, motivations, then inspiring them to choose their own way forward.
4. Conflict and challenge need calm leadership
Not every audience is cheering you on. Sometimes you’re handling resistance, objections, strong personalities. EQ is your anchor in those moments. It keeps your language respectful, your reactions measured, and your credibility intact.
5. Stories stick… facts fade
The part of the brain that drives emotion is the same part that creates memory. When you speak using stories, metaphors, and relatable examples, your audience won’t just understand your message… they will remember it long after the event.
6. Confidence without arrogance
EQ is the difference between confident and cocky. A speaker who understands their strengths and owns their imperfections presents with humility. They’re human. That humanity builds trust faster than the most polished delivery ever could.
The bottom line
You can have flawless slides, powerful content, and years of technical expertise. None of it matters if you can’t emotionally connect with the people listening.
Emotional intelligence turns information into influence.
It turns communication into connection.
It turns a speaker into a leader. And my world in Presentation Intelligence ® is all about leadership from the front of the room.
If more professionals focused on developing their EQ skills alongside their speaking skills, we would end up with more impactful conversations. .
