Welcome
I am an author, speaker, facilitator, and teacher in the art of brilliant communication, transforming the way business leaders connect with and inspire their people. With a focus on practical ideas, tools, and techniques, I unlock confidence and skill in sessions that are playful and experiential, whilst providing challenging and constructive feedback.
My book - The Listening Shift - draws on the learning and experiences I gained as a RADA-trained classical actress, a voice teacher (I have an MA in Voice Studies), from my research into Performance Psychology at Edinburgh University and from my years volunteering as a listener for Samaritans in the UK.
About Me
At the age of 6 years old, I decided I wanted to be an actor. For the rest of my childhood, I took every opportunity I could to perform. I became fuelled by one purpose - to go to RADA (The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) where so many of my idols started their careers and, at 19, I was offered a place.
3 glorious years of exploring, experimenting and living the dream were followed by 12 years of professional work. I started with classical theatre, explored TV and film and carved a niche as a presenter.
I facilitated conferences, presented videos, spoke on behalf of business leaders and voiced business content for a wide-range of organisations, coaching in-house speakers organically along the way – using what I knew to help them through the experience.
I became more and more fascinated by performance skills…the essential toolkit necessary for people to make their desired impact. I studied for an MA in Voice and an MSc in Performance Psychology. My work became enjoyably diverse.
Here’s what followed:
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I learned a simple, easy-to-implement approach to speaking in public fluently and with impact by coaching leaders on presentations.
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I discovered a shorthand for connecting with people and helping them understand how to have brilliant conversations that get results by facilitating groups in business schools and organisations across the world. I learned how to listen and understand the challenges that people face in their day-to-day working experience.
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Fascinated by people’s stories, I trained as a listener with Samaritans UK. I learned how to listen deeply, not judge, but to harness people’s power to find their own solutions and transform their lives for the better.
In the last 20 years, I’ve realised that my actor’s hat is still worn every day. I am a chameleon and have an approach that allows me to connect with any audience to start a conversation and build trust, affinity and rapport - the foundation of success in life and work. It’s a useful skillset and I look forward to sharing it with you.
What I do
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Communication Diagnostic – an in-person or online analysis of what’s working with an individual or team and identifying where improvement is needed
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How to be heard – confidence in speaking up in meetings, online and in person
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Helping listeners listen – making presentation messages relevant, engaging, and actionable
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Listening Shifts – expert listener training for individuals and teams
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Conversations that count – how to talk to each other to connect, understand and move forward
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VoicePrintTM - a profile to advance influencing skill and strategy