Leaders are familiar with the saying: It’s not what you say, but how you say it. Still, performing can be challenging — and at the very least, nerve-racking. We asked the actress and performance coach Armi Toivanen for practical insights on how every leader can develop their presentation charm and speaking skills.

Armi Toivanen, one of Finland’s most popular actors, literally starts from the basics when asked about the qualities of a good speaker and performer. Toivanen wants every leader to master a skill that we all possess as children but later on forget. That is, how to communicate with authenticity. She opens up the toolkit of the certified teacher of the Miller Voice Method to serve a different stage: the corporate world, where executives and teams perform daily under scrutiny.

“The key to everything is learning expression. And that’s something anyone can practice, once they get the right tools,” Toivanen explains.

Executives often mistake preparation for memorization or endurance. In Toivanen’s view, preparation means exploring what kind of impression you actually want to leave, and closing the gap between that imagined version and your current reality.

From survival to connection

Toivanen’s analysis of performance situations is something most of us can relate to: we tend to focus on surviving the situation. The inner mantra is don’t think about it, just be yourself. But few ever ask what truly creates the listener’s experience.

“If you want to make an impression, you have to learn and understand what that impression is made of. What affects you? What does it take for you to truly hear someone? Not just politely listen, but actually receive the information so it triggers a process within you?”

That understanding is emotional, not intellectual. The essence of good communication is not about avoiding looking nervous, but about staying connected so that the body, voice, and mind are all aligned. Actors train for this daily, but executives rarely do.

So the question is: What can executives learn from actors?

Preparation is imagination, not repetition.
Toivanen starts with preparation tactics. Before a presentation or negotiation, imagine the best version of yourself. What impression do you want to leave? Then ask honestly: what’s missing?

Words are not your vehicle.
Toivanen reminds leaders that meaning comes from the non-verbal layer; rhythm, tone, and gesture. There is far more to communication than words alone.

“Words don’t determine how people are affected by each other. To understand that, we have to look back to our childhood. How do humans first learn to connect? We have no words then, yet our messages are crystal clear.”

She illustrates this with a simple example: a parent often recognises a child’s emotional state from a single word, sometimes even without looking. One word, such as “mom,” can signal joy, distress, or fear. The message travels through tone long before language.

Your body is your instrument.
Tension, shallow breathing, and stiff posture betray anxiety long before words do. Under stress, the body triggers fight-or-flight responses – tight throat, raised shoulders, frozen expression. Training in body awareness helps to keep communication alive and flexible.

Learn to identify the ‘leader voice’.
Many executives default to a commanding, monotone delivery that they believe sounds professional. Toivanen calls it “the army voice.”

“That’s the extreme end of the spectrum,” she warns.

The problem isn’t confidence. It’s connection. A speech without variation in pitch or rhythm may sound authoritative, but it leaves little trace. 

“What did you actually hear in that 45-minute talk? I’d argue, not much, because the speech lacks variation in pitch and rhythm – the very things that convey opinion and perspective.”

Without those elements, the listener can’t form a clear image of the speaker. The experience of identification, meaning the ability to see oneself reflected in another, never happens. And when that emotional link is missing, so is the outcome leaders hope for.

Practice expressiveness, not performance.
The goal isn’t to act, but to stay human.

“The essence of good speaking and good performance is not to ‘be yourself’, but to be as human as possible, so another human being can relate to you.”

Practical steps for leaders to improve their performance skills

Toivanen’s five-point checklist for expressive leadership:

1. Practice mindful breathing. 

Under pressure, we often hold our breath, creating stiffness and tension that limit our body’s ability to perform. In stress, we tend to hold, hide, or push, which pulls us away from clear expression. Practising continuous, easy breathing helps you stay open and expressive, even in challenging moments. A steady, unforced breath calms the mind, sharpens focus, and keeps you fully present.

2. Practise pausing between thoughts.

Start in safe settings, like with friends, because it may feel awkward at first. We’re taught to speak quickly, but to be truly heard, you need to slow down and pause, ideally taking a breath as you do. Pauses sustain attention, keep you present, and pull you out of your “home office” of rehearsed lines. They make your speech more natural, clear, and impactful.

3. Practice different tempos.

Speaking in a flat tone deprives listeners of cues they need to grasp your perspective – a crucial skill for any leader who wants to inspire others. Vary your rhythm and pitch to keep your audience engaged. Practise by emphasizing different words and noticing how the meaning shifts, for example, in the sentence: “I will win the race today” and “I will win the race today.” Use this technique to give key ideas more weight.

4. Take a moment to observe your audience.

Don’t focus solely on your slides or script – watch your audience. Observe their facial expressions and body language. Are they attentive, confused, or distracted? 

Then, think back to the presentations that stayed with you. What kind of body language, messages, and delivery made you feel engaged? How did they make you feel?

5. Reflect and document.

After your presentation, reflect: Did I move anyone, or did I just inform them? Record your performance on video and watch it later with compassion and honesty. Notice your natural strengths and the moments that felt genuine. Pay attention to how your voice and body work together. The goal isn’t to perfect your style, but to communicate your message with clarity and authenticity.

Fact box: Armi Toivanen

• Profession: Actress, performance coach, and certified Miller Technique teacher
  
  

• Education: Master’s degree in Acting
  
  

• Focus: Communication training for corporate leaders and professionals
  
  

• Method: Bridging actor training with business communication