THE PROBLEM
The difficult moments are rarely scripted
Workplace communication becomes harder when a question comes out of nowhere, a conversation changes direction or someone needs to contribute before they have found the perfect words.
People may hold back, rush, lose their train of thought or concentrate so hard on getting it right that they stop listening.
These are not fixed personality traits. Listening, responding and speaking with confidence are practical skills that teams can rehearse together.
That is what this workshop is designed to help people practise.
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
Think and Speak Under Pressure is a practical three-hour workshop built around exercises, feedback and repetition.
Participants get on their feet, practise in real time, receive specific feedback and try again while the learning is still fresh.
Participants practise:
- listening and responding to what was said
- contributing without waiting for perfect words
- using their voice and body with greater confidence
- staying present when something unexpected happens
- recovering comfortably after losing their place
The workshop is structured, supportive and makes taking communication risks feel manageable.
What people walk away with
Participants leave with experience and tools they can continue using at work. That includes:
- greater comfort speaking without a script
- more trust in simple, direct language
- stronger listening and response skills
- experience recovering when things do not go perfectly
- awareness of how voice and body affect communication
- tools participants can continue practising at work
The goal is not to turn people into polished performers. It is to help them communicate more confidently as themselves.
Built for workplace teams
This workshop is for people who need to communicate when they cannot prepare every word in advance.
- meetings and group discussions
- presentations and unexpected questions
- stakeholder and team conversations
- other unscripted workplace situations
No performing or improvisation experience is required.
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
My background spans theatre, improvisation, marketing and hands-on facilitation.
I use structured exercises to help participants notice their communication habits, experiment with different approaches and receive useful feedback in the moment.
My role is to create a supportive room in which people can practise, take manageable risks and discover what helps them communicate more confidently.
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 listening, responding, contributing and staying present in meetings, workplace conversations and other unscripted moments.
Is it interactive?
Yes. Very. The workshop is built around live exercises, in-the-moment feedback and repetition. 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?
The workshop is suitable for workplace teams whose communication involves meetings, presentations, group discussions or unexpected questions. It can be adjusted to suit the experience, context and goals of the people in the room.
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.
BRING PRACTICAL COMMUNICATION TRAINING TO YOUR TEAM
Help your team communicate when the script runs out
Tell me about your team, the situations they face and what you would like them to approach with more confidence.
We can discuss the workshop format, your location and how the session can be shaped around your workplace.
