Client
Stories
Find out more about the clients I work with and the communication problems that we solve together through team workshops and 1:1 coaching.
danish embassy in Hanoi
What the actress said to the ambassador...
Imagine representing your entire country at an event dripping with formality. Every word is scripted, every gesture is watched. And you’re someone who is naturally conversational, easy-going, witty. That was the Danish Embassy in Vietnam.
The challenge: how do you deliver a speech that honours the pageantry and local custom without losing yourself?
“She helped us develop our organisational tone of voice in a way that is authentic to each and every one of us. Our work with Victoria has lifted us individually and as an organisation." - Deputy Head of Mission, Danish Embassy in Vietnam
I started with 1:1 conversations where the ambassador and counsellors could speak candidly. What came out surprised even me: titles and ceremony can weigh heavily on the most seasoned diplomat, confidence was not a given. And when I asked the ambassador “What is getting in the way? What holds you back from being the speaker you want to be?” He explained that delivering a script that isn’t ‘in the right voice’ is frustrating. And so we had our objectives defined.
The revealing 1:1 sessions shaped a two-day intensive in Hanoi built around three things: confidence under pressure, storytelling, and getting the tone of a message right. By the end of this experiential workshop participants had individual takeaways to boost each person’s public speaking presence and we had a bespoke script briefing document. This allows colleagues who write speeches for each other to make sure the words on the page sound like the person saying them. This new approach to scripts was made possible by transparent conversations, deep assessment of the messages that matter and willingness to try new strategies even when ‘this is how it has always been’.
After hours of one-to-one coaching, and two days of turning this problem upside down and inside out, I asked the room: “What do you need to do now?” There was a long pause. Then the Deputy Head of Mission said two words that gave me chills. “Be free.”
Sometimes we have to put in the time, the self-assessment, the tools, the technique and when it all comes together, what we get is the confidence to be ourselves in each public speaking moment.
siren design Singapore
Creative communication skills for creative people
A global design firm wanted their early-career designers to be credible in stakeholder meetings: the spokesperson for the design, the defender of the process. But when stakeholders just don’t get it, it’s tempting to give up or give in.
“Victoria connected with each member of our team, played to their strengths, and gave constructive feedback with practical techniques. The sessions were engaging, interactive and entertaining, and tailored to our industry. I would highly recommend her to any organisation looking for impactful, personalised training, delivered authentically.”
Here’s the thing: your work cannot speak for itself, so you have to. And that takes iterative communication practice. I built a bespoke series of team sessions on the foundations of assertive communication: mindset, voice, posture, gesture, and choice of language. Then we role-played the hard stuff: negotiation, clear delegation, agreeing scope. Alongside that we had 1:1s to dig into each designer’s personal weak spots. Because instead of giving up, we can find new ways of communicating that might resonate better.
Designers present process and prototypes to people who don’t speak design. In one role play, I stopped a participant and said: tell them about the people behind it. He started again. “When we first got the brief... we tried so hard. We wondered if we’d get there.... We’re really glad we have.” The dynamic in the conversation changed instantly by using this storytelling technique. Sharing the human effort creates connection, and appreciation for the team behind the work. For Siren design this improves complex stakeholder relationships and makes the bumps in the road easier to navigate.
frasers property
Storytelling in Business - What is it? Can we learn it? How will we use it?
Case Study coming soon