Present with presence: Everything you need to plan, prepare & deliver with impact
In this interview, Fiona Murchie speaks with Isobel Rimmer about why so many capable executives and professionals struggle with imposter syndrome and the fear of public speaking, also known as glossophobia and what to do about it.
Drawing on her book Present with Presence, Everything you need to plan, prepare and deliver with impact in any situation, Isobel shares a practical, learnable approach to building confidence, clarity and credibility: from structuring your message and staying focused, to using storytelling, voice and body language to connect with any audience.
With International Women’s Day 2026 approaching, the conversation also explores how women can step onto bigger stages; interviews, boardrooms and conferences, and speak with calm authority and impact.
Discussion Highlights
- What “glossophobia” means and why fear of public speaking is more common than many people realise
- Why confidence isn’t a personality trait, it’s built through preparation, structure and practice
- The foundation of Izzy’s Diamond structure that will give you your entire presentation in one place
- A simple rule for clarity: 2–3 key points only (anchor them, deliver them, then summarise them)
- How to build trust with your audience using the Trust Equation (credibility, reliability, intimacy, and low self-orientation)
- Why storytelling and case studies increase authenticity and engagement especially in technical contexts
- Handling interruptions and “hecklers” in business settings: set expectations early and use calm bridging phrases
- Boardroom presence for quieter voices: posture, space, eye contact, breath, and vocal resonance
- Isobel’s pre-speaking routine: power pose, voice warm-up, and 4×4 box breathing to regulate nerves
About the Guest
Isobel Rimmer
Isobel Rimmer is the founder of international training and development consultancy Masterclass Training and author of Present with Presence. With 25 years as a business leader, coach, and mentor, she has designed award-winning leadership programmes for organisations such as Hertz, PwC, Accenture, and IBM, helping leaders plan, prepare, and deliver with impact.
