Comfortable with feeling uncomfortable
From hesitation to confidence: mastering public speaking after hours
POV: It’s 5:30 PM. You’ve had a long day at work. You want to go home? Too bad. You signed up for a 2-hour class. Not a gym class, no, a public speaking class.
That’s this group of brilliant women – all members of The Young Women in Sales Club.
These women shared a common goal:
- elevate their presentation skills
- and build confidence
They wanted to apply it to client pitches, team meetings, and public presentations at events.
Growth in just 2 hours.
I designed my 2-hour Masterclass to tackle public speaking fears head-on while building foundational skills.
We focused on 5 Principles of Public Speaking:
Pauses: Mastering the art of silence to emphasize key points.
Eye Contact: Building connection with your audience.
Body Language: Creating presence and credibility.
Vocal Delivery: Captivating with tone and pacing.
Clarity: Ensuring your message lands with impact.
We ended up spending close to 3 hours, since everyone was so good at participating!
"It was amazing and inspiring to work with Emily.
I feel like I have more guidance and knowledge on what I have to improve and feel more comfortable with feeling uncomfortable."
– Almudena, Account Executive at Perlego
What We Did
Self-Reflection Exercises: Everyone reflected on their current and ideal relationship to public speaking. They each identified one key area they wanted to improve.
Interactive Practice: Hands-on presentations to apply the principles in real-time.
Personalized Feedback: Everyone received actionable tips to improve their presentation skills.
💡 Pro Tip from the session
Focus on just one skill at a time.
Trying to master everything at once can be overwhelming.
But progress in one area often creates a ripple effect!
What did they present?
In true MLE fashion, I wanted everyone to talk about something personal.
I provided a list of prompts to pick from, including options like your favourite place, a recent film you enjoyed, and even something you want to sell to the room (inspired by my signature workshop Sell it to me!)
This allowed them to focus on techniques without overthinking content.
And it was wonderful to learn more about each other.
Almu pitched the benefits of boxing and Brooke championed F45 classes.
Daria made a compelling case for kids doing competitive sports.
Amy convinced us why getting a dog is the best thing you can do for your mental and physical health.
Ana talked about her favourite place in Italy, while Alice reminded us how incredible London is.
The Transformations
Despite their long workdays, these incredible women showed up with energy and commitment. By the end of the session, they were more confident speakers – ready to embrace opportunities and apply their skills in the real world. Here’s what they thought of the overall experience!
“My relationship to public speaking was nerve-wracking and uncertainty. After the workshop, I definitely learnt some valuable skills particularly around standing anchored and pausing more.
I’ve even been able to relate it to my job and online demoing more than I expected to.
Emily was super encouraging and empathetic. I enjoyed her standing with me when receiving feedback as I felt supported. She offered some great tips and tricks and allowed us enough time to practise and prepare.”
Alice, Account Executive at Sonovate
“I’ve always liked public speaking, but I felt like I was too chatty and didn’t do any pauses. So it felt like a hurricane all over the place.
Now I understand how pauses can add value to my public speaking.
I like how the workshop was no BS, very straight to the point, and ACTUALLY helpful.”
Sasha, Business Development
“Before the workshop, I felt nervous and intimidated by public speaking. I worried about making mistakes and not appearing confident. After the workshop, I’ve noticed a shift towards a more positive outlook.
The techniques and exercises we practiced helped me feel more prepared and in control, easing my anxiety. Learning from Emily was a fantastic experience. Her ability to explain concepts clearly and create a supportive, engaging environment made the workshop both practical and enjoyable.
I now look forward to public speaking opportunities and feel equipped to handle them.”
Brooke, Account Executive at Verkada
“Public speaking was a completely unknown territory to me.
My last presentation was year 8 Spanish, as I’ve managed to dodge every opportunity there was so far in my life.
After the workshop I’ve definitely learned more about what it’s all about to be an engaging speaker, and also found the actual experience itself to practice invaluable!
I only have praises for Emily as a coach. The space she created was safe and her communication was clear.
Emily changed public speaking from a thing to avoid to a thing to look forward to!”
Lute, Broker’s Associate
Ready to overcome your fear and speak with confidence?
Join my next workshop and transform your public speaking skills — just like these incredible women did!
Whether you’re preparing for your next presentation or looking to enhance your everyday communication, my workshops give you practical tools that deliver results.
This masterclass is ideal for groups and teams, but please reach out if you’re interested in attending as an individual too!
Thank you for reading.
- Emily x
