Empathy on Stage – The Key to Audience Engagement

A presentation is more than data and slides

Participants at your event don't come just for knowledge. Often, they already know quite a bit about the topic you're presenting. But they still need something more: recognition, understanding, meaning, inspiration, and above all – connection. This requires empathy from the speaker, not just excellent subject matter preparation.

In an age of easy access to information, it's precisely the ability to establish emotional contact with the audience that determines whether your event will be remembered as a valuable experience or just another mandatory training session to "sit through."

What emotions does a participant carry in the room?

When you look at your audience, you see focused faces, open notebooks, and phones ready to photograph presentation slides. But what's really going on in these people's minds?

Often, participants struggle with fear of not understanding – thinking "is this presentation for me?" or "will I be able to keep up with the speaker?" They also carry frustration from past experiences – how many times have they sat through similar events, listening to more definitions and watching overloaded slides?

At the same time, there's hope in the room that this time will be different. That someone will finally say something real, practical, something they can use at work the very next day. There's also a need to be noticed – even in a crowd of 200 people, everyone wants to feel that the speaker is talking directly to them.

Finally, there's tension – was it worth coming here? Will the time spent in this room bring tangible benefits?

How does lack of empathy manifest from the stage?

It's easy to recognize a speaker who focuses solely on their presentation, ignoring the audience's needs. Such a speaker talks to themselves, not to people – reciting prepared text without paying attention to the room's reactions.

They don't check whether participants are following their train of thought. They ignore the audience's body language – not noticing tired faces, glances at watches, or reaching for phones. They escape into "slide after slide," avoiding eye contact with participants.

When someone asks a question or makes a comment, they react defensively – treating it as a disruption to their presentation rather than an opportunity for interaction. Such a speaker may be an excellent expert in their field, but they won't connect with the audience.

How to show empathy during a presentation?

An empathetic presentation begins with the very first words. Greet people as a human being, not as an expert reading their CV. Tell participants why this topic is important to you – what's your story connected to it?

Acknowledge the room's tension and name it directly: "I know this is a difficult time of day – it's always harder to focus after the lunch break" or "This is the end of the conference and everyone's tired, but I hope these 30 minutes will be worth your attention."

Give permission not to know – tell participants they might not know all the terms you'll use. "If something sounds unfamiliar – don't worry, I'll explain it shortly" is a sentence that immediately diffuses tension in the room.

Leave space for reaction – for questions, laughter, comments. Don't be afraid of silence after asking the audience a question. Don't fill every second with your voice.

Regularly check that everyone is keeping up. Observe participants' body language and react to what you see. "I see doubtful expressions – maybe it's worth explaining this with an example?"

How can organizers support an empathetic stage?

As an organizer, you have enormous influence on how communication from the stage looks. Select speakers not only by CV, but by their ability to build rapport with the audience. During recruitment conversations, check whether potential speakers can adapt their message to the audience.

Conduct a mini-brief before the event. Tell speakers: "Pay attention to the room. If you see silence and looking down – maybe it's worth changing something in your presentation style."

Allow time for contact with participants – don't pack sessions down to the minute. Plan space for questions, corridor conversations, maybe even short technical breaks that allow the speaker to "feel" the room.

Choose moderation that manages emotions and supports speakers. A good moderator knows when to support the speaker, when to take initiative, and when to allow spontaneous interaction with the audience.

Also consider preparing the physical space – does the room layout facilitate contact? Can the speaker move freely and make eye contact with participants?

Participants will remember not what you said, but how they felt with you

Empathy on stage doesn't require a revolution in presentation style or grand gestures. Presence, reaction, and willingness to engage are enough. If you give participants what they really need – not just what you prepared in your presentation – you become a speaker who is remembered.

Remember: people forget facts, but remember emotions. A participant at your event may not quote all the statistics from your presentation, but will long remember whether they felt noticed, understood, and appreciated.

It's precisely these emotional memories that determine whether participants will return to your future events, recommend them to friends, and enthusiastically talk about what they learned.

Empathy on stage is an investment in the long-term success of your events – and in the satisfaction of everyone who participates in them.

About the author

Joanna Chrościechowska

Managing Partner at CONREGO. She specializes in educating event organizers and improving communication with participants. She writes about how to simplify the work of event managers and create processes that enhance attendee satisfaction and the overall effectiveness of event operations.