From Uncertainty to Impact: Jess’s Journey to Confident Communication
Effective communication isn’t just a nice-to-have skill; it’s foundational in today’s fast-evolving workplace. Whether you’re leading a team through technological change or presenting at a conference, the ability to connect with your audience can make or break your success. But how do you turn communication into your secret weapon for career growth?
We spoke with Jess, a tech professional and recent participant in the NIDA Corporate Training program, to discover how she transformed her communication style. Jess didn’t just enhance her public speaking abilities, she turned them into a competitive advantage, winning a communication award and opening up new career opportunities.
If you’ve ever felt like your presentations lack impact or struggle to engage your audience, Jess’s tips and experiences might just inspire you to take the next step in your own communication journey.
Why Influential Communication Matters in Tech
The tech industry is undergoing immense change, with AI integrations reshaping workplaces across the globe. Leaders in this space have an especially important role to play, they’re not just staying ahead of technological advancements but also guiding their teams through these transitions.
This is where effective communication becomes a critical skill. It builds trust, fosters adaptability, and motivates teams to tackle challenges with confidence. As Jess highlights, the ability to inspire and influence isn’t just beneficial, it’s essential for leaders navigating rapid change.
Whether it’s connecting with an audience during a presentation or engaging employees during a strategy meeting, clear communication can bridge gaps, align objectives, and drive organisational resilience in tech roles.
The Challenge of Communicating with Impact
Jess’s story is a powerful example of how developing communication skills can transform a career. Here’s what she shared about her experience.
Jess is one of our training participants, and she presents at forums and conferences to diverse audiences, a common part of her role in tech. She realised, however, that her presentations weren’t landing the way she wanted.
“I didn’t want to be boring or irrelevant, just sharing the same information and hoping people took something away,” Jess explained. While she was delivering valuable content, she felt disconnected from her audience and she wanted to change that.
As part of Jess’ professional development in her workplace, Jess had the opportunity to attend NIDA’s Corporate Performance program to refine her communication style and better connect with those she addressed.
The Transformation
Since completing the program, Jess has seen a noticeable shift in how her colleagues and audiences respond to her. “I won a communication award! I was recognised by my most senior leader for communicating our key messages with intent and clarity,” she shared.
She noticed that presentations felt more engaging, sparking meaningful conversations afterward. These improvements didn’t stop there, Jess also started receiving invitations to participate in panels, facilitate discussions, and even speak on podcasts.
Lessons Learned
One key moment during the program stood out to Jess, watching a video of herself presenting. Most of us would cringe at the thought, but for Jess, it was a game-changer.
“It made me realise the way I felt presenting was not the way I was coming across,” she said. With guidance from facilitators, she made small but impactful changes, like adjusting her volume, slowing her pace, and structuring her content to hook her audience.
These tweaks boosted her confidence and made her messaging more impactful, both in formal presentations and everyday conversations.
The Payoff
Jess credits her transformation to the skills she learned during the program. “I feel much more confident communicating in a range of environments, not just delivering big presentations, but also in meetings with my team, senior leaders, and external stakeholders. I feel like I can communicate well in just about any situation.”
Her story shows how effective communication can unlock opportunities and elevate your professional presence.
