“On belay…Belay on!” If you’ve ever taken rock or wall climbing lessons, you are familiar with this call and response. Belaying refers to a variety of techniques climbers use to communicate and keep each other safe during a climb. When the lower climber (AKA the belayer) has secured the rope, she calls up, “On belay”—my translation: “I’ve got your back. You’re good to go.” The higher climber then responds, “Belay on” before moving to the next hand or foothold.

Even for executives accustomed to delivering a presentation to hundreds, or even thousands, of people, speaking on camera can be an unexpected challenge. What looks comfortable and confident on a stage can appear stiff and lifeless on video. It’s important to master this skill, because speaking in this video-driven world with poise and authenticity is essential for taking advantage of an ever-increasing variety of communication platforms, from webinars and virtual meetings to promotional videos.