THE CONFIDENT VOICE

Conversations That Count

Speaking

The conversations people avoid are often the ones that matter most

In every workplace, team, and organisation, there are conversations that sit just below the surface.

The ones that are delayed, softened, or avoided altogether. The ones where people know what to say but something gets in the way when it’s time to say it.

That moment, just before someone speaks (or doesn’t), is where outcomes are shaped.

That’s what I speak on.

My talks focus on how people handle pressure, communication, and decision making in real situations not theory, but what really happens in the moment.

Real Talk, Drawn from Real Conversations

TOPIC 01

The conversations leaders avoid and why they matter more than strategy

What happens when capable people hesitate, and how those moments quietly shape teams, performance, and culture.

Who this is for

Senior leaders, leadership teams and organisations where expectations are high and outcomes depend on how people show up in the moments that matter.

Particularly relevant where

- Decisions are being delayed or softened

- There is underlying tension or underperformance in teams

- People are "keeping the peace" rather than saying what needs to be said

- The culture feels polite, but not always honest

The challenge is rarely strategy, it's whether people are willing and able to have the conversations that move things forward.

TOPIC 02

The moment before you speak

Why the challenge isn't usually knowing what to say, but managing what's happening internally when it matters and how that influences decisions.

Who this is for

Mid-senior professionals, emerging leaders and organisations who want their people to communicate with more confidence and consistency.

Particularly relevant where

People overthink, soften or hold back

Confidence is often mistaken for capability

Individuals know what they want to say but don't always say it

There is a gap between thinking and action

It's about the moment just before someone speaks and how that moment shapes everything that follows.

What Audiences Can Expect

My talks are grounded, practical, and based on real-world experience. They are designed to:

Give people a clearer understanding of what’s happening in difficult conversations
Help individuals recognise their own patterns under pressure
Offer practical ways to approach conversations more effectively
Encourage more honest, direct, and constructive communication

This isn’t about scripts or perfect phrasing.

It’s about understanding what shapes how we speak and what changes when we handle it differently.

testimonials

"A Very Inspiring & Emotional Talk"

Last night I heard a very inspiring and emotional talk from Cheri which really made me think about a lot of things. She opened with a personal story that connected with us all, you could feel the energy. It challenged me to think about my own communication and assumptions as her style was reflective and engaging.

Her explanation of the conversation triangle has helped me to think about how different I will handle conversations in future. Her talk was powerful.

- Mel Canavan

"I Had Never Thought About Communication In That Way Before"

Cheri, I really enjoyed your talk and especially the way you created curiosity and engagement right from the beginning with your opening question. It instantly made me reflect and pulled me into the conversation.

One of the biggest things I took away from your talk was the connection between thoughts, feelings and assumptions. I had honestly never thought about communication in that way before, and it really opened my eyes to how much our assumptions can shape both

conversations and relationships.

I also found the “conversation triangle” incredibly interesting and helpful. It made me reflect on my own communication patterns and how I want to approach conversations differently moving forward.

Your way of speaking felt thoughtful, genuine and reflective, and I really appreciated how your talk encouraged self-awareness rather than just giving information. Thank you for sharing such an insightful and meaningful message

- Ragnhild vaa Lilliehaug

"Incredibly Engaging and Emotionally Connected"

Last night, I heard a talk from Cheri that created immediate engagement from the very beginning through a simple yet highly impactful opening question that instantly invited curiosity from the audience. The way the question was intentionally revisited later in the presentation gave the overall message a powerful sense of depth, meaning and emotional impact.

Cheri’s storytelling was delivered in an incredibly engaging and emotionally connected way, allowing the audience to feel fully immersed in the journey being shared. There was a strong sense of authenticity within her delivery, supported by excellent pacing, thoughtful pauses and reflective moments that gave the audience space to process and connect with the message on a deeper level.

One of the strongest aspects of the talk was the consistent use of reflective questioning throughout. Rather than simply presenting information, Cheri continually invited the audience into the thought process, creating an experience that felt interactive, personal and emotionally engaging. The balance between storytelling, reflection and audience awareness was handled exceptionally well.

The overall message around communication, honesty and human connection felt both meaningful and highly relevant, with a delivery style that was thoughtful, impactful and deeply engaging. This was a presentation that not only shared a story, but genuinely encouraged the audience to think differently about the way they communicate, connect and understand both themselves and others.

- Becky Farrar

About Me

I bring over 20 years of experience in senior commercial roles across sectors such as defence, rail and healthcare, alongside a background in law, mediation and coaching. My work focuses on communication, decision-making and how people handle pressure in real situations.

Having worked across sectors including healthcare, defence and rail, I have spent my career navigating complex situations where expectations are high, relationships matter, and conversations directly influence outcomes. My work has involved leading, negotiating, mentoring and supporting individuals and teams through challenging and often high stakes scenarios.

Alongside my corporate experience, I am an accredited mediator and a qualified coach, giving me a unique perspective on how people think, respond and communicate when under pressure.

My talks focus on the human side of communication, what happens beneath the surface in the moment just before someone speaks. I explore why capable people hesitate, overthink or hold back, and how those moments often shape performance, leadership and relationships.

My style is grounded, direct and relatable. Building strong rapport with audiences, speaking honestly about real experiences, while offering practical frameworks that people can recognise themselves in and apply immediately.

My aim is not just to inspire, but to leave audiences with a clearer understanding of how they communicate, and with a useful framework that help them approach conversations with more confidence, more self-awareness and effectively in both their professional and personal lives.

Outside of my formal work, I value discipline, growth and human connection. That shows up in how I spend my time training in Brazilian jiu jitsu myself, teaching children, working with dogs, and being in environments where focus and consistency matter. Those experiences continue to deepen my understanding of patience, pressure, trust, consistency and the small shifts that change outcomes over time.

All of this shapes how I speak, how I connect with people in the room, and the way I approach this work.

Working Together

If you’re planning an event, session, or conversation and want a speaker who brings a practical, real-world perspective on communication, decision making and how people handle pressure, I’d be happy to talk it through with you.

You’re welcome to get in touch to explore your event, audience and objectives, and I can provide a tailored approach and quote based on what you need.

I am available for:

Corporate events
Leadership sessions
Team development sessions
Panel discussions
Workshops and facilitated conversations

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