Rewriting The Narrative: How Introverted Founders Can Present With Impact

Picture this. You walk into your kitchen, open the nearest cupboard, and grab the closest jar. You see a brand logo. You see a product name. And you see a list of ingredients. Great! The goal is to ensure the identity of this product is focused, clear, and most importantly, fixed. Intuitively, a label makes sense in this context, right? However, applying a singular label to ourselves to fix our identity is not only problematic; it’s dangerous, too.

So, let’s address the elephant in the room: the label of being an “introvert.” On one hand, labelling ourselves can give us a sense of identity, confidence, and belonging. But on the other hand, fixing our identity can cause us to think small, develop self-limiting beliefs, and engage in behaviors that protect the label we’ve adopted. The words we use to define ourselves influence our behavior and shift the trajectory of our lives.

The solution? Instead of pinning your entire identity on a singular noun, use a verb to expand your being and belief system. For instance, instead of saying, “I am an introvert,” one could say, “I am someone who learns more by listening than speaking,” or “I am somebody who thrives in building intentional relationships in intimate settings.” You get the picture, right?

Here’s my truth: the “imperfections” you believe hold you back from presenting with impact are actually the very things that make you influential. Here are four ways to present with impact for those of you who once labelled yourselves as “introverted.”

1. Ensure Your Presentation Solves A Big Problem

Spending hours creating the perfect pitch deck or PowerPoint slides may make you feel busy, but are you truly moving the needle forward? There’s a time and place for polishing your slides, but think about it like this: how do you know what content to craft if you don’t truly understand the people you’re serving? So, before your next presentation, understand exactly who’s in the audience, and ensure that you have answers to the following questions:

• What big problem is the audience struggling with?

• What do they believe is the root cause of their problem?

• What have they tried to alleviate their pain that hasn’t worked?

• What does life look like (personally and professionally) when they reach the promised land?

• What does life look like in a year if nothing changes?

These questions just scratch the surface; however, the answers will provide a beautiful foundation for crafting a presentation that connects.

2. Start With A Personal Story

When you start with a story, not only do you humanize yourself, but you create the connective tissue required to form a meaningful bond with your audience. The question is: how?

Here are five simple steps:

• Introduce the main character, the setting, and their big desire.

• Create tension in your story by inserting a villain.

• Show the “aha” moment that changed everything.

• End with a transformation that shows the main character going from pain to glory.

• End with the following phrase: “Here’s why this matters to you…” and connect the core message of your story to their big problem. This is to ensure relevancy in a business context.

Keep it simple, keep it short, and remember, if all else fails, start with your story with a relatable human being, whose desire is being blocked by a specific challenge, and end with a transformation.

3. Rehearse How You’ll End, Not Just How You’ll Finish

Most people rehearse how they’ll start their presentation to reduce their nerves. Most people rehearse the meat of their pitch to ensure they’re adding value. However, as fatigue kicks in, very few rehearse how they’ll end their time with the audience, and instead, they “wing it.”

Here’s what I’d invite you to think about, my friend: amateurs wing it—professionals make you feel as though they’re winging it. Ensure you rehearse how you’ll finish so that you don’t end with anticlimactic energy. Instead, end in a way that reinforces your core message, leaving people with a clear understanding of the movement and mission you are building.

4. Restore A Feeling Of Calm

We could talk about developing an impactful pre-presentation routine. However, we live in an imperfect world where time isn’t always on our side. If you find yourself in a high-stakes scenario with little to no time to restore a sense of calm, I invite you to try the “physiological sigh.” It’s a technique discovered in the 1930s to help us rapidly regain control from feelings of stress or anxiety. It’s as simple as this: take two deep inhales through your nose, and one long exhale through your mouth with pursed lips. Almost instantly, you’ll experience more calm, less tension, and a sense of presence. Repeat it a few times if you need another hit of the good stuff!

No tactics, strategies, or frameworks will help you truly present with impact unless you’re invested in a journey of introspection. For some, that could mean engaging in a journaling or meditation practice; for others, it may mean having reflective conversations with a therapist, mentor, coach, or friend— where it feels safe to be vulnerable. I invite you to be flexible in your modality of choice, yet fixed on the following belief: the inner work makes the dream work.

Here’s my truth: the more comfortable you become in your own skin, the more potent you become as a presenter.

About The Author

Ravi Rajani is a global keynote speaker, communication expert, and the author of Relationship Currency: Five Communication Habits for Limitless Influence and Business Success.

This article first appeared in the November 2025 issue of Inc. Arabia magazine. To read the full issue online, click here.