How we train

Theory first, briefly. Then you do it.

The method was built under pressure. Paul Connolly spent years as an undercover investigative journalist, where communicating clearly and persuasively while frightened was not a skill, it was a necessity. Everything we teach comes from that, tested since across 25 years of live television and radio and hundreds of training rooms.

The cycle

  1. Theory: the fundamentals, briefly, with the research behind them.
  2. Demonstrate: see it done.
  3. Practise: you do it, on your feet and on camera.
  4. Record and review: watch it back and pinpoint exactly what to change.
  5. Repeat: do it again with the changes, until it holds under pressure.

The Three Pillars

  • Physical: hands, body, eyes, voice. How you stand and sound when you want to be believed.
  • Verbal: simple language, knowing what you want to say without learning it off, your own voice.
  • Psychological: knowing your weaknesses, knowing the obstacles you are most likely to hit, accepting that mistakes are inevitable and recovering from them.

The Five Cs

Confidence. Connection. Calm. Character. Control. The five things we are looking for in the playback, and the five things the report measures.

After the session

  • A written report for every participant: strengths, areas to improve and what to practise.
  • Real-world practice between sessions: the next presentation, interview or recording becomes the homework.
  • Follow-up when the real event is approaching.

The research

The techniques we teach for nerves, memory, structure and persuasion are backed by peer-reviewed research in psychology and neuroscience.

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