Teaching public speaking at U of T has shown me one thing above all else… the professionals who thrive are the ones who can own the room. The good news? This is something that can be learned, practiced and mastered – by anyone!
Every cohort I teach begins the exact same way. Smart, talented, accomplished professionals walk into the room. They’ve built careers, led teams, and solved hard problems. They’re really good at what they do! Some are even THE experts in their fields.
The diversity of experience ranges from technical analysts, project managers, sales professionals, scientists, tax accountants, lawyers, nutritionists, entrepreneurs, teachers, business leaders, researchers and even a police officer. And seriously, the list goes on and on… Should we start talking about all of the things I have learned from everyone since I started teaching this course?!
Anyways, individuals come to my class because they want to incorporate storytelling into their presentations, or they want to stand out in a room full of people. Some need to be able to make their complicated terms easier to understand for clients, or get their information across in a way that gets them the job… the promotion… or the big sale.
Some people simply want to be able to stand up and speak without nerves causing them to go blank, or some are preparing to present their research findings at a conference, which is important because it changes lives, industries, and dare I say the world? Yes.
And yet, the moment comes in the first class where I ask everyone to take a turn and stand up and speak – like really speak – and then something shifts. Shoulders tighten. Words shrink. Filler words and sounds take over. Nerves are in control. I know that I’m only seeing the version of themselves that is just a fraction of who they actually are and what they’re capable of.
That gap between who you are and who you appear to be when the pressure is on is exactly what the Business Communication: Public Speaking course at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies is built to close.
“The boardroom, the pitch deck, the interview – these can all be considered performances. And like any performance, they can be rehearsed, refined, and mastered.”
Over the weeks we spend together, I get to watch people transform. Not just because they’ve learned some tips and tricks, but because they discovered something true about communication. Clarity and confidence is a skill.
The ability to walk into a room full of stakeholders, deliver not-so-great news, and still walk out with trust intact – that is something you can learn, practice and be coached through. Along with any other high-stakes situation they find themselves in at work, no matter what their position is.
We work through all of it. Pitches and proposals that don’t just inform – they persuade. Technical presentations are stripped of jargon so they actually land. Impromptu questions start being answered without flinching or going blank. Meeting rooms start being entered with purpose, not hesitation or apology. And storytelling is practiced so you become memorable and stand out in any presentation. Every simulation, every template, every round of feedback is designed to bridge one thing: the gap between knowing your material and owning a room with it.
What can you expect to walk away with after participating in one of my courses?
- Delivering persuasive presentations, speeches, and sales pitches that move people to action
- Presenting complex technical material so it’s actually understood – not just heard
- Contributing to meetings, big and small, with confidence
- Networking in ways that build real relationships
- Handling questions from anyone like media and large audiences to clients and stakeholders – all with composure and credibility
The most rewarding part of teaching this course isn’t the final presentations – though those are always a lot of fun! It’s the moment mid-course when someone realises they’re not really scared anymore, they’re ready. That the voice they’ve been quietly sharpening all along was worth developing and the messages they’ve been practicing are clear.
Everyone realizes that speaking well isn’t a personality trait reserved for the naturally extroverted, it’s simply a craft. And any craft belongs to ANYONE willing to take the small risks put in the work. 🙂
If you’re a professional who knows your stuff but struggles to make it land – this course was built for you. The stage – aka: the meeting room – is waiting!