present / speaking across cultures and communities

TLDR
For frontline teams speaking with the public across cultures and communities. Helps you communicate with clarity, respect and confidence, using tone, language and presence to build trust and mutual understanding.

This programme is designed for frontline public service teams who regularly engage with members of the public. It helps teams develop a consistent verbal style that is clear, respectful and confident across different cultural contexts.

Whether explaining decisions, responding to complaints or engaging with diverse communities, the programme supports teams in carrying themselves with authority and empathy. It focuses on tone, rhythm, pace, body language and presence alongside the words used, so every member of the team helps build trust and improve service outcomes.

    • To help your team develop a shared approach to verbal communication, so the public experiences consistency and professionalism across all interactions.

    • To practise vocal, physical and pacing techniques that make speech clearer and more respectful in multicultural and high-pressure settings.

    • To strengthen the way the team manages tone and body language when asserting boundaries, keeping interactions calm and professional.

    • To develop practical ways to simplify spoken language, using plain, jargon-free terms that support accessibility and land with the audience first time.

    • A team that projects confidence and respect, improving trust and satisfaction among the communities it serves.

    • More consistent, respectful interactions that ease tension in difficult conversations with the public.

    • Clearer expectations and shared standards for how staff communicate, making services feel more joined-up.

    • Practical tools and techniques that reduce rework, escalations and grievance costs.

    • Greater confidence and resilience in staff, supporting wellbeing and retention.

  • Stage 1 – Pre-course survey
    Participants complete a short survey exploring:

    • Which interactions feel most challenging to handle verbally.

    • Situations where cultural differences or communication style have led to tension.

    • What they most want to improve about their delivery.

    This shapes the training and highlights real-world gaps.

    Stage 2 – Full-day face-to-face or virtual training
    A practical, high-energy day focused on tone, rhythm, pacing, presence and body language. Based on Teamshaper’s Present module, adapted for frontline service teams.

    Stage 3 – Two-hour virtual follow-up session (one month later) - OPTIONAL
    We bring the team back together to:

    • Share examples of what has changed since the workshop.

    • Rehearse and refine their shared communication standards.

    • Refresh key techniques and embed learning for the long term.

  • 09:30 – Welcome and introductions
    Setting the tone for the day. Reviewing pre-course survey themes and expectations.

    09:45 – First impressions and vocal audit
    Each participant delivers a short everyday interaction. Group and facilitator feedback on tone, clarity and style.

    10:15 – Voice, rhythm and pacing
    Breathing, projection, pausing and emphasis. Exercises in making speech clear and confident without sounding rushed or dominant.

    11:00 – Break

    11:15 – Body language across cultures
    Exploring how posture, stance, eye contact and gestures are interpreted differently. Practice in alternatives that convey authority and respect.

    12:00 – Assertive and respectful
    Role-play of challenging interactions where staff must hold boundaries. Techniques for tone and delivery that reduce escalation.

    12:30 – Lunch

    13:15 – Simplifying spoken language
    Exercises in using plain, jargon-free language, slowing down for clarity, and making explanations easier to follow. Short practice rounds using real cases.

    14:00 – Speaking as a team
    How to create a consistent style across multiple staff members. Handovers, supportive signals and shared phrasing.

    14:45 – Break

    15:00 – Respectful clarity without superiority
    Practical drills to build clarity and authority alongside genuine warmth, striking the right balance of confidence and empathy.

    15:45 – Commitments
    Agreeing a simple one-page team communication standard: how we greet, explain, set boundaries and close. What will we do differently from tomorrow?

    16:30 – Close

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Sandie Miller, Associate Trainer at Teamshaper
Teamshaper's Present training module