Victoria Shanora on the Power of Posture and Presence in Public Speaking at Yale Africa Innovation Symposium
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In the art of public speaking, words alone are not enough—how you carry yourself can make all the difference. At the Yale Africa Innovation Symposium (YAIS), Victoria Shanora, Founder and CEO of NVE Agency, took the stage at the Ambassador of Africa Public Speaking Masterclass Panel to share her expertise on the power of posture and presence in delivering impactful speeches.
Hosted by Kadmiel Van Der Puije, CEO of The Voice of Africa, the panel brought together top professionals and industry leaders to equip attendees with essential skills for effective communication. Victoria’s insights stood out as she emphasized the unspoken elements of public speaking—confidence, body language, and audience engagement.
Posture: The Foundation of Confidence
“Your posture speaks before you even say a word,” Victoria explained. “Before you start speaking, the audience has already judged your presence.” She highlighted how standing tall, maintaining an open stance, and using purposeful gestures can immediately establish authority and credibility.
She advised attendees to avoid slouching or crossing their arms, as these postures can make a speaker appear unsure or closed off. Instead, she encouraged adopting a relaxed yet confident stance, one that conveys self-assurance and invites connection with the audience.
Presence: Owning the Stage
Beyond posture, Victoria emphasized the importance of presence—the ability to command attention and engage listeners. She shared practical strategies to cultivate stage presence, including:
- Eye Contact: “Engagement is everything. Scan the room, connect with different sections of the audience—it makes your message more personal and powerful.”
- Intentional Movements: Walking with purpose rather than pacing aimlessly helps reinforce key points. “Every step should add to your message, not distract from it,” she noted.
- Voice Control: A strong presence isn’t just about body language but also vocal delivery. Victoria discussed the importance of varying tone, pacing, and volume to maintain audience interest.
Mastering Nonverbal Communication
Public speaking isn’t just about what you say—it’s about how you say it. Victoria highlighted that nonverbal communication makes up over half of what audiences perceive, making it crucial for speakers to align their physicality with their words. “You can have the most powerful speech, but if your body language doesn’t match your message, people won’t fully connect with it,” she pointed out.
Empowering the Next Generation of African Leaders
Victoria’s presence at YAIS underscored the importance of effective communication for African entrepreneurs, leaders, and change-makers. Whether pitching an idea, negotiating a deal, or inspiring an audience, mastering posture and presence can set professionals apart on the global stage.
As the session concluded, attendees left with actionable techniques to refine their public speaking skills, empowered by Victoria’s expertise in branding, confidence-building, and leadership presence.
Through discussions like this, The Voice of Africa continues to elevate African voices, fostering a new wave of leaders who can captivate, influence, and inspire.
