Lauren Sergy

Trust is a critical factor in communication, but fostering trust in our workplaces isn’t always easy or intuitive. There are many complicating elements, including power dynamics, relationships, communication needs, communication styles, and circumstances. Managing these factors is especially important for those in leadership positions, as it has a significant impact on communication (or lack thereof) within their teams. In this fascinating and practical talk, communication expert Lauren Sergy will take you on a deep dive into how power, trust, and communication intersect in our workplaces, while giving you new approaches for becoming a more tactful and trust-building communicator.

We can all picture them: that leader who draws people’s eyes the moment they walk into a room, who can fill a space with their voice even when they whisper, who can inspire confidence with a perfectly timed phrase.

They have it. They have Presence.

More than just “looking the part”, Presence is a powerful communication strategy that leverages the way we speak, look, and behave to help others perceive us as competent and authoritative. A person with a presence can more easily overcome doubts and reservations, foster trust, and consistently represent their personal and professional brand. But what exactly constitutes “executive presence” is difficult to pin down.

In this fascinating keynote, communication expert Lauren Sergy will take you on a dive into the markers of executive presence and the deep role they play in how you and your messages are received, perceived, and interpreted. You won’t just marvel at other people’s presence – you’ll understand how it works for them, and how you can make it work for you.

Communication skill and persuasiveness is admired, desired, and sought out by individuals and organizations alike. But what makes someone truly persuasive, and how can we leverage persuasion while maintaining (or even improving) good relationships with those around us?

In this keynote, communication expert Lauren Sergy takes you through a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what persuasion is and how it works. You’ll learn how to dial up your own persuasive skills so you can convince and compel with integrity and authenticity.

Picture a meeting: a contentious issue is on the table, one on which there are a lot of strong opinions. People are talking – oh, they are talking. But the talking doesn’t seem to go anywhere except around in circles. It’s like they’re talking at one another instead of with one another.

It’s in these types of conversations that collaboration is both most necessary and most difficult. Collaboration isn’t about capitulation or compromise. It’s a relationship-driven approach to communication that places finding cooperative solutions ahead of everything else. It’s a willingness to let go of the need to win in favour of the need to make progress.

It’s also easier said than done. But that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach.

In this frank but entertaining session, Lauren Sergy demystifies the elements of collaborative communication and shows you how to apply them in real life. You will learn techniques that will help you develop the empathy necessary for collaboration while also learning subtle strategies that enable you to guide and shape the conversation. You will discover ways to increase openness and trust, diffuse tension, and engage in communication that is clear, collaborative, and productive.

In many organizations, people are promoted based on their skills in their job. But there’s more to leadership than technical skill in a specific area. Leaders rely heavily on so-called “soft” skills that allow them to build relationships with their reports and properly direct and influence the course of action within their departments.

At the top of the ‘soft skills’ list crucial for effective leadership are communication skills. It’s important that your leaders not only understand why people communicate the way they do within an organization, but also how to leverage different tools and strategies to improve communication, clarity, culture, and collaboration within their divisions.

This intensive half-day workshop helps your leaders develop those fundamental communication skills and strategies. They will increase clarity and effectiveness of communication, decrease interpersonal conflict and relieve tension, and help cultivate a positive communication culture. With a strong emphasis on practical application, participants will learn about workplace communication behavior, strategies for improving clarity and openness in communication, and techniques for communicating in tense environments.

Are your presentations flat,  confusing, or just plain boring? Are you wishing that your message was easier to understand, that your audience was more engaged, and that you could create and deliver your presentations with less stress and consternation?

Wish no more – effective and enjoyable presentations are within reach!

Powerhouse Presentations is a workshop designed to help you transform how you think about and develop your presentations. Public speaking and communication pro Lauren Sergy will take you through her strategic approach to developing presentations and determining exactly what – and how much – you should say in any given situation.

In part 1, Lauren Sergy will show you her signature presentation development method: The Information Ladder.  This is a clear system for developing and honing high impact presentations. This system has been taught to many professionals and is appreciated for its practical, straightforward, strategic approach.

In part 2, Lauren Sergy will take you to the next level of great presentations: persuasive rhetoric. You’ll learn strategies and techniques for getting into your audience`s heads and creating content that is both compelling and powerfully persuasive.

Do you want to grow your confidence and style as a speaker, but aren’t sure how to go about doing it?

Many people assume that great communicators are born, not made. In reality, confident speakers spend a great deal of time analyzing and strategizing both what they say and how they say it. They put effort into identifying their authentic speaking style and work to develop and adapt it for different situations. They hone their speaker’s edge.

This workshop helps you discover your own speaker’s edge – the individual style, special strengths, and unique perspectives you possess that enables you to give compelling, high-values talks from a place of confidence.

Picture yourself at breakfast. You open your calendar to prepare for the day, and there they are: the video conferences. You can feel your heart rate spike as you stare at them. Virtual meeting after virtual meeting, replete with the irritations you once brushed off but now dread: awkward silences, glitchy video, choppy conversations, Bob’s nose hairs. (Seriously, doesn’t Bob know his camera is pointed right up his nose?).

Despite being neck-deep in virtual meetings for over a year and a half, many people are still uncomfortable with this medium of communication. But love them or hate them, virtual meetings are here to stay. Even if that idea makes you cringe, virtual communication presents incredible opportunity for developing and strengthening relationships with your clients and co-workers…if you know how to you use it well.

In this engaging and practical session, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes view of the unique communication psychology of virtual meetings and how you can quickly and significantly improve your on-camera communication.