EP#175: How to speak with power & build trust: The Gravitas Masterclass

Great communicators aren’t born—they’re made.

In this episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke chats with Dr. Louise Mahler, an expert in leadership communication, about the art of presence, authenticity, and confidence. With a background in business and opera, Louise brings a unique perspective to what makes a great communicator—and why government professionals need to master these skills.

Louise shares practical techniques to improve public speaking, from voice control and body language to storytelling and audience engagement. She explains the power of the "rule of three", how to structure compelling messages, and why good communication starts with breathing and body awareness.

Whether you’re presenting to stakeholders, leading a team, or engaging the public, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you command attention and build trust. If you want to captivate, connect, and communicate with impact, this is the masterclass you need.

Discussed in this episode:

• Gravitas builds trust through presence, authenticity, and confidence.
• Strong delivery relies on voice, body language, and gestures.
• The rule of three makes messages clear and memorable.
• Overcome self-doubt with mantras and better posture.
• Storytelling, humour, and connection keep audiences engaged.
• Breathing and structure improve communication impact.

 Show notes:

• Website | Louise Mahler
• Gravitas | Louise Mahler
• The 5 Canons of Classical Rhetoric | ThoughtCo
• The Rule of 3 | Leadership Garden
• GovComms Podcast | Blog

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