More Than a Talk: A Transformational Masterclass on Influence, Identity, Leadership and Self-Mastery for speakers
Written By Mahlodi Kgatle
At the PSASA Pretoria Chapter May meeting, something deeper than professional development was unlocked. What began as a session on communication and credibility quickly turned into a masterclass on self-leadership, presence, and the invisible mental battles we fight while trying to lead and influence others.
Our speakers were the corporate leadership guru Sechaba Motsieloa and best-selling author and leadership coach, Vincent Mafu. They delivered insights that felt less like advice and more like alignment, reminding us that our role as speakers is bigger than the platforms we get to stand on. We are leaders, and we cannot influence the world externally if we cannot manage ourselves internally.
Presence is a Signal, Not Just a Performance
Sechaba opened with a line that reframed the room’s energy immediately:
“How you present yourself is the first signal you send to your target audience.”
It reminded us that communication doesn’t start when we open our mouths. It starts with our energy, our preparation, our tone, and even our silence; the impression we give before we even speak. The way we present ourselves—visually, verbally, and even in our digital presence—sets the stage for how we are perceived and whether we are trusted.
As Vincent later pointed out, the ability to consistently show up with that level of clarity isn’t just about branding. It’s about mental resilience.
The Unseen Work Behind Influence
Together, their talks revealed a truth we don’t discuss enough in leadership circles: the greatest battles occur behind the scenes, in our minds, and manifest as “bad” leadership. While Sechaba spoke about knowing your audience and protecting your credibility, Vincent delved into the internal wars that often sabotage those very efforts.
We were reminded that:
- Not everyone is your audience and trying to please everyone is an act of self-abandonment.
- Credibility is earned in silence before it’s rewarded in public.
- Content is powerful, but context and emotional clarity amplify it.
Vincent brought these lessons home by naming what many in the room had felt but never verbalised: the imposter syndrome, doubt, and emotional fatigue that quietly wage war within high-achieving professionals. He challenged us to develop mental hygiene with the same intensity we apply to strategy or storytelling.
“You can’t lead others when your own mind is at war,” he said.
Influence Is an Inside Job
This wasn’t a session about public speaking or leadership tactics alone. It was about remembering that your presence is only as powerful as your inner peace. That clarity on the outside begins with alignment on the inside.
Sechaba encouraged us to study works like Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari to understand how stories shape history, identity, and influence.
Reflections from the Room
As one attendee, Natasha Malan, put it:
“This wasn’t just a talk—it was a reset. Sechaba reminded me to stop performing and start aligning. Vincent reminded me that the real leadership work starts in the mirror.”
Final Thought
In a world obsessed with visibility, this PSASA Pretoria Chapter meeting reminded us that presence without self-awareness is just performance. Real influence comes from doing the inner work so that what we say, how we lead, and who we are all speak the same language.
For anyone serious about making an impact—not just being seen but being felt—this wasn’t just a professional development session.
It was a call to intentionality, authenticity, and inner leadership.
