Speaking with Authority

For people yearning to create meaningful impact with their content

You want to be successful. You long to feel respected, seen and appreciated for what you do.

So when you stand up and speak - it matters. Whether you’re leading at a conference or talking to your team, wanting people to feel engaged and inspired, is what makes you tick.  

But you’re frustrated. You’re not having the impact you know you can have. You long for people to receive the full impact of what you’re saying. There’s a magic that’s missing. You feel held back. You want to get to the next level.

So you play safe. You modify your content. You know that you can inspire change with your words if you could learn to trust your gut. But you lack the confidence to meet your edges. So you fall into old patterns. It feels unsafe to expand. Maybe you notice yourself churning out safe material to conform to social norms.

Perhaps you had a voice coach. You’ve really tried hard to get it right. You’ve learned some presentation skills. You watched glossy video masterclasses. Maybe you received some great recognition or feedback, yet feel deep down that there’s a big piece missing. You feel afraid to take risks for fear of getting it wrong.

Audiences remember how you make them feel

Audiences connect to something almost magical about someone that they cannot exactly describe.

Another word for this magic is presence.

Presence is something you can cultivate. It takes practice. It’s formed by you in different ways. It’s unique to every person. On this course we’ll work to equip you with the qualities needed to create it.

Of course we’ll work with what we call ‘presentation skills’. But this is not a course that teaches you to simply perform and do stuff. This is a training helping you to stand in your authenticity, connect with your audience and feel anchored in your body - only then you’ll open a channel for the magic to come through.

As a speaker you want your words to land with intention and clarity. I’ll support you to trust feelings and sensations by becoming present with them. It is with this awareness that you’ll speak into the world with power, clarity and a new confidence.

We’ll work with a paradox.

It is and it isn’t about what you say.

It is about how you are being when you say it.

“Duncan's background in performance, somatics and improv is, I think, a killer combination. Also his style is supportive whilst at the same time challenging. He gently (almost imperceptibly) got me to work out of my comfort zone, experiment and take risks.”

Sally Bibb, Company Director and Author

I’m a certified coach, experienced teacher, gifted communicator and performer. I’ve worked with many professionals, actors and students in the creation of performance and in the art of communication. I know how it feels to hang out there and take a risk. I know that shifting from our comfort zones is the way we grow. I’m passionate about the artistry of creating and I’m always curious about how the magic is made. 

I’ll show up as your coach, teacher and committed listener and I’ll walk with you as you journey to a place of deeper presence, powerful communication and meaningful impact.

HOW IT WORKS

• We start with a complimentary 30-minute conversation and see if Speaking with Authority is a good fit for you

• We’ll organise towards your specific event, pitch or presentation

• Next we’ll dive into some coaching and creating, working with your content and playing with possibilities depending on your brief

• Then we focus your content, giving you confidence to deliver your specific outcome

• We work either on Zoom or in person. We’ll agree on homework between sessions and check-ins on the process over voice message

WHAT YOU’LL GET

• A complete product for your event, pitch or presentation. You’ll be the best you can be right now

• Confidence to stand in your authenticity

• Inner faith in your voice and delivery

• Learn to ‘anchor’ your voice in your body

• Practice at expressing your message/ story

• Clarity around your mission and purpose

• A freedom to take creative risks

• Confidence to have fun and play

• 24/7 voice message support. Use WhatsApp to reach out with queries and questions while we are working together - invaluable when you feel stuck or want some support

• My expertise and guidance

4 x 1 hour session package: £475 

If you want to dive in and commit to a deep learning process this is for you. Over the sessions, you’ll clarify your commitment as a speaker and build confidence gradually towards your objective.

1 hour stand-alone session: £125

If you have a deadline or event coming up that is of importance, I can support you to ensure you deliver at your best. You might want some support to re-tune or move through some stuckness, a stand-alone session would be ideal.

Questions?

Where do the in-person sessions take place?

Sessions take place on Zoom, at my home in Twickenham, South West London or nearby space.

I want to work around presenting and connecting online. Can you help me with this?

Yes. Speaking with Authority is an online course.

I have a specific project. Can you work with me?

Yes. Let's talk. It's likely we can tailor things to your professional needs.

I don’t work with audiences or teams, but I want to communicate more meaningfully with those in my daily life. How would that work?

How you manage your energy, your presence and how you then impact those around you follows whatever your walk of life.

“I have found new ways to really connect with myself, my subject and therefore an audience. It was such fun too! I would heartily recommend Duncan to anyone who wants to go beyond technique and explore ways of engaging and presenting.”

Kate Monro, Author