One Sentence That Instantly Boosts Your Authority on Stage

Quick note before we dive in: You might open your presentation with a story, a question, or a surprising stat - that’s your hook. But regardless of how you start, this one sentence is the moment your authority locks in.

You know that moment right before you start a presentation - the quiet, slightly awkward shuffle while everyone settles in and looks at you, waiting to see if you’re going to be worth their attention?

Most speakers waste that moment.

They fiddle with slides, clear their throat a few too many times, apologize for something (“I didn’t have much time to prepare…”), or launch into a long explanation of what they plan to talk about. None of that builds confidence in your audience.

But there is one sentence that does.

And it’s ridiculously simple:

“Here’s what I want you to take away from our time together today.”

That’s it.

But here’s why it works.

1. It signals leadership.

The moment you say this sentence, you take control of the room in a grounded, non-aggressive way. You're no longer just sharing information - you’re guiding an experience.

Audiences love that. Humans love that. We relax when someone shows us the path.

2. It tells people you value their time.

Time is the real currency in a presentation. When you open by clarifying exactly what you're giving people, you’re saying,
“I’ve thought about what matters to you.”

That instantly elevates you from “speaker” to “trusted advisor.”

3. It sharpens your own delivery.

When you articulate your core takeaway out loud, it becomes your North Star for the rest of your talk. You stop rambling. You stop including unnecessary tangents. You become more concise, more intentional, and - surprise - more authoritative.

4. It creates curiosity and focus.

As soon as you say, “Here’s what I want you to take away…” every head tilts up. This sentence is a pattern-interrupt. It gently grabs the audience’s attention and tells them,\

“This is important. Don’t miss this.”

How to use it in the wild

Right at the start - after your opener but before you dive into content - drop it in:

“Thanks for being here. Here’s what I want you to take away from our time together today: You don’t need more slides; you need a clearer message.”

Or:

“Before we jump in, here’s what I want you to take away today: Selling is actually about making it safer for people to say yes.”

Or:

“Here’s what I want you to take away from this session: Great leadership isn’t louder - it’s clearer.”

You don’t need drama. You don’t need theatrics. Just a clear intention.

Try it in your next presentation

If you’ve ever felt like you struggle to establish authority quickly - or that audiences take a while to warm up to you - this single sentence is your new superpower.

Use it. Own it. Shape it to fit your voice.

And watch the room lean in.