THE PROBLEM
Smart people do not always sound clear under pressure
Your people already know their work. But when put on the spot, their ideas come out tangled.
They may use too much detail, lose their point, sound unsure, or get stuck when someone pushes back.
Good ideas become harder to understand and capable people seem less confident than they really are.
This workshop gives your team the skills to organise their thoughts, listen well, and respond clearly.
Your team may be saying…
🗹 “I know what I want to say. I just cannot find the words in the moment.”
🗹 “I get flustered when someone pushes back on my ideas.”
🗹 “I over-explain everything and lose people halfway through.”
🗹 “I feel confident preparing, but not when it counts.”
About this workshop
This workshop builds confidence in meetings, pitches, presentations, and quick explanations in front of the team.
They get on their feet, respond in real time, receive direct feedback, and try again while the learning is still fresh.
The workshop helps people improve three areas:
- Speaking clearly through body, voice, and physical presence.
- Thinking clearly through simple frameworks that organise ideas fast.
- Performing under pressure through fun exercises that build confidence.
People are encouraged to stretch, take risks, and practise in a room where it is safe to get things wrong.
What people walk away with
Participants leave with practical tools they can use immediately. That includes:
- less anxiety when speaking in front of others
- clearer answers under pressure
- more confidence in unscripted conversations
- stronger presence without pretending
- better listening
- more trust in simple, direct language
They start to sound like themselves at their clearest.
Built for experts who struggle to speak in the moment
This workshop is for people with valuable knowledge who need to communicate it better under pressure.
- startup and technical teams
- researchers and academics
- emerging leaders and subject-matter experts
- organisations in science, tech, government, and innovation
Testimonials
Results from real participants
Thanks for being an awesome instructor. You really covered important stuff and I feel less anxious about communicating than I did before.
Geoff K
I felt a lot less anxious when stepping forward by the end than at the start. The shift happened faster than I expected.
Ryan F
Loved it. It covered the basics, yet at the same time everything in depth necessary to feel better about speaking in front of others.
Hannah R
Led by Dane McFarlane
I help smart people communicate in a way that matches the quality of their thinking.
I have spent ten years helping people organise their ideas, speak with confidence, and stay calm in front of a room.
This helps people improve not just what they say, but how they think, respond, and show up when the pressure is on.
FAQ
How long is the workshop?
The core workshop runs for 3 hours with a short break in the middle. Longer formats are available for deeper work across a full day or multi-session program.
Is this just presentation training?
It includes presentation-related skills, but it goes further. The focus is on thinking clearly, speaking clearly, and handling live pressure in meetings, stakeholder conversations, and unscripted moments.
Is it interactive?
Yes. Very. The workshop is built around live exercises, practical frameworks, and in-the-moment feedback. Participants get on their feet and practise in real time.
Can it be tailored to my company?
Yes. The content is adjusted to suit your audience, context, and communication goals. It also draws on participant-led examples from your actual workplace so the learning lands where it needs to.
Who is it best suited to?
It is best suited to professionals and teams who need to communicate clearly under pressure, especially in technical, leadership, and stakeholder-facing roles.
Where do you run workshops?
I am based in Adelaide, South Australia, and available for workshops nationally. Get in touch and we can discuss your location, team, and goals.
Limited availability
Ready to close the thinking-speaking gap?
If your team is full of smart people whose communication needs a fine-tune, this workshop is built for you.
I run a limited number of workshops each year, so early enquiries are encouraged.
