--- title: "EP#175: How to Speak with Power & Build Trust: The Gravitas Masterclass" description: Governments generate endless information, but so much of it goes unseen. So, how do we turn it into content people actually care about? image: https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/Ep%20175%20Social%20tile.jpg --- Talk to us [![fb](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/facebook-brands.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/govcinstitute) [![li](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/linkedin-brands.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/govcomms-institute) [![tw](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/twitter-brands.svg)](https://twitter.com/govc_institute) [![in](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/instagram-brands.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/govcommsinstitute/) [![logo-white](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-white.png?width=197&height=40&name=logo-white.png "logo-white")](https://contentgroup-19617054.hs-sites.com/home-2) [![GCI Horizontal Logo](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png?width=197&name=GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png "GCI Horizontal Logo")](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/ep175-how-to-speak-with-power-build-trust-the-gravitas-masterclass) - [Podcast](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast) - [About us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/about) - [Contact us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/contact) [Back to blog](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast) # EP#175: How to Speak with Power & Build Trust: The Gravitas Masterclass [![](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/GovComms%20Institute%20Logo-01.jpg)  GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team)  | Feb 26, 2025 10:09:51 AM [Featured](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/featured) ![](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/Ep%20175%20Social%20tile.jpg) Great communicators aren’t born—they’re made. In this episode of GovComms, 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. ## Stream the episode on Spotify:   ## 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](https://louisemahler.com.au/) - [Gravitas | Louise Mahler](https://www.booktopia.com.au/gravitas-louise-mahler/book/9781394237333.html?source=pla&msclkid=2676d65493bc1764940cb1e21a0a8bd0&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=RQmedia_PMAX_In%20Stock%20at%20Booktopia&utm_term=2334469345004329&utm_content=Booktopia%20-%20Always%20On) - [The 5 Canons of Classical Rhetoric | ThoughtCo](https://www.thoughtco.com/the-5-canons-of-classical-rhetoric-1691771) - [The Rule of 3 | Leadership Garden](https://leadership.garden/the-rule-of-3-in-communication/) - [GovComms Podcast | Blog](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast) Watch the full episode: ## Transcript: [A transcript of this episode can be found here.](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/GovComms%20Ep%20175%20Transcript.pdf) --- ###### About the Author GovComms Institute Team ### On the same subject ### [EP#179: Calm in crisis: Rebuilding trust through communication](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/ep179-calm-in-crisis-rebuilding-trust-through-communication) [GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team) [Featured](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/featured) ### [EP#182: From crisis to TikTok: Rethinking Government comms](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/ep182-from-crisis-to-tiktok-rethinking-government-comms) [GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team) [Featured](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/featured) ### [EP#176: From Google to AI: The Search Revolution Explained](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/ep176-from-google-to-ai-the-search-revolution-explained) [GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team) [Featured](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/featured) [![GCI Horizontal Logo](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png?width=200&height=41&name=GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png "GCI Horizontal Logo")](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/) A global platform for government communicators. - SITE MAP - [Home](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com) - [About us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/about) - [Contact us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/contact) - LEGALS - [Privacy Policy](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/pirivacy-policy) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/terms-and-conditions) - CONTACT US - [+61 2 6273 0232](tel:+61%202%206273%200232) - [govcomms.institute@contentgroup.com.au](mailto:govcomms.institute@contentgroup.com.au) - [Level 3, 2 Mort Street, Canberra, ACT 2601 GPO Box 2381, Canberra, ACT 2601](https://goo.gl/maps/4iAFuvdJ1KbTe28CA) - Copyright © 2020 contentgroup Theme designed by [Markentive](https://www.markentive.com/)