Salvatore Manzi didn’t crave the spotlight.
He stepped into it because it terrified him.
As an introvert, public speaking felt like torture—“like lighting my body on fire,” he says. But instead of avoiding it, he studied it. For over 20 years, Salvatore has coached data-driven, analytical, and often quiet leaders to step into their presence, elevate their voice, and influence without dominating.
But the biggest breakthrough of his work?
A simple shift in focus: “It’s not about me.”
That reframe changes everything—for introverts especially. It transforms anxiety into empathy, pressure into purpose, and nervous energy into genuine connection. It’s the key to moving from stage fright to stage presence—and the heart of Salvatore’s method.
Now a sought-after leadership communications coach and author of the upcoming book Clear and Compelling, Salvatore helps professionals lead meetings, presentations, and conversations with clarity and confidence—without needing to be loud.
In this episode, he shares his personal journey and the practical frameworks he uses to help people communicate with quiet strength. From body language to vocal tone, pausing, and purpose—this conversation is a masterclass in how to show up fully, without making it all about you.
Key Lessons
Quiet leaders don’t need to be louder—they need to be more intentional. Tools like presence, pausing, and reframing anxiety into excitement go further than volume ever could.
Break the seal early. Getting your voice into the meeting within the first five minutes lowers the pressure and builds momentum.
Preparation is power—but ditch the script. Prepare bullet points, not monologues, so you stay present and adaptable.
Presence = space + stillness + silence. Confident leaders move 5% slower, speak with calm, and own the room with their energy—not just their words.
You can train for presence. From posture to vocal tone to breath control, presence isn’t magic—it’s a muscle you can develop.
Reframe nervousness as excitement. Your body’s response is the same—what changes everything is how you interpret it.
The pause is your superpower. An unexpected pause draws people in. A practiced pause gives your brain time to recover.
Lead with empathy, not ego. When you feel triggered, shift your focus: “What’s going on in their world?”
Not about me. Make this your mantra. Whether you’re speaking, presenting, or recovering from a misstep—center the message, not your ego.
Where to find Salvatore Manzi:
Book site: clearandcompellingplaybook.com
Get a free chapter + updates on his book Clear and Compelling
In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Salvatore’s journey from introverted speaker to communications coach
(03:00) Why traditional public speaking training fails introverts
(05:00) How to speak up in fast-paced meetings without freezing
(08:00) Using humor as an entry point—and why deadpan can be a superpower
(10:00) The myth of needing a script—and what real preparation looks like
(12:00) What “presence” really means—and how to build it from the body up
(15:00) Reframing fear into excitement and energy
(18:00) Delay bias, fight-or-flight, and how to hold your ground under pressure
(22:00) Breathing, posture, and taking up space—how to regulate yourself in real time
(28:00) The “You then Me” technique for empathy under fire
(30:00) Why “Not About Me” is the mindset shift every introverted leader needs
(35:00) How voice, silence, and stillness create influence
(37:00) A sneak peek into Clear and Compelling, Salvatore’s upcoming book
Share this post