Look the Part, Lead with Presence – Speaker Style with Kay Korsh

What does your outfit say about your authority before you even speak? In this insightful and practical episode of Present Influence, I sit down with Kay Korsh, an international speaker and style advisor who helps professional speakers elevate their credibility, presence, and personal brand through their wardrobe choices. Whether you're speaking in front of 5,000 or just hopping on a Zoom workshop, your style is part of your message. Kay explains how fit, colour, fabric, and even shoes can either reinforce your message or distract from it entirely. We cover:Why your appearance impacts influence, likability, and bookingsHow to align your outfit with your brand and audienceCommon speaker wardrobe mistakes that sabotage credibilityWhy “looking current” helps you stay relevant (especially with age)How to build a small but powerful speaking wardrobeWhy tailoring and digitising your closet might be game-changers If you've ever wondered what to wear on stage—or felt unsure if you’re dressing the part—this episode is your backstage pass to speaker style success. 🎯 Connect with Kay Korsh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kay-korsh/ Download Kay’s free guides: Clothing Budget Calculator For Keynote Speakers: https://outfit.mindoverfashion.com/clothingbudgetcalculator Colour Quiz for Professional Speakers: https://kkorsh.outgrow.us/speakers-colourtest 📸 Bonus: Learn how to digitise your wardrobe and avoid decision fatigue (in episode) Chapters & Timecodes 00:00 – Introduction 01:19 – Meet Kay Korsh 01:51 – Why Style Matters for Speakers 03:48 – Kay’s Journey to Speaker Styling 06:11 – The Power of First Impressions 08:20 – Common Wardrobe Mistakes 13:16 – Building a Speaker Wardrobe 16:39 – Comfort, Audience, and Personal Branding 21:14 – Standing Out vs. Staying Authentic 23:34 – Dressing for Body Types 29:17 – Corporate vs. Personal Style 32:38 – How Many Looks Does a Speaker Need? 36:41 – Digitizing and Organizing Your Wardrobe 39:03 – Budgeting for Speaker Outfits 41:01 – The Importance of Tailoring 44:07 – Trends, Timelessness, and Staying Current 48:44 – Practical Style Tips & Do’s and Don’ts 54:11 – Working with Kay: Process & Programs 59:13 – How to Connect with Kay Korsh 1:01:20 – Closing Thoughts & Next Episode Preview Go to presentinfluence.com to take the Speaker StrengthsFinder Quiz and discover your greatest strengths as a speaker, as well as where to focus for growth. For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email john@presentinfluence.com or find me on LinkedIn You can find all our clips, episodes and more on the Present Influence YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PresentInfluence Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.