Be confident — but not aggressive
Be warm — but not soft
Speak up — but not like that
You've probably noticed that the rules women are taught about how to communicate are ludicrously contradictory - and impossible to follow.
Despite decades of progress, gendered expectations and cultural norms shape how women are perceived and evaluated in workplaces every day.
Over time, many women learn - often unconsciously - to adjust their words, tone, body language and contributions constantly; over explaining, minimising their expertise, apologising unnecessarily, or second guessing whether to speak at all.
What many of us have been told is a confidence problem is actually a conditioning problem.
You’re not imagining it. Research consistently shows that in professional settings:
- Men account for around 75% of available speaking time in mixed gender meetings.
- When women speak more frequently than their peers, they’re perceived as less competent. When men do the same, they’re viewed as more competent.
- Both men and women interrupt women more frequently then they interrupt men.
- Assertive communication tends to benefit men - and trigger backlash against women.
These aren’t individual failings; they're a reflection of how gendered dynamics shape what we say, how we say it, and how others receive it - often without anyone in the room realising it’s happening.
She Speaks acknowledges that reality, and equips you to navigate it effectively without losing yourself in the process.
If you:
- Struggle to find the right words at the right time, or wind up saying too much at the wrong time.
- Replay meetings in your head wishing you'd said something different or hadn't said anything at all.
- Find yourself saying 'yes' when you need to say 'no' and 'no' when you need to say 'yes!'.
- Feel overlooked and under-valued despite your expertise and experience.
- Have an inner critic that won't shut up, even when you know your stuff.
- Go quiet or snappy under pressure, then feel guilty, embarrassed, stressed or resentful.
... then She Speaks is for you!
Join the waitlist
Why “just be more confident" doesn’t work
Confidence is often treated as a prerequisite for building professional presence and power.
But for women confidence is shaped by years of contradictory feedback: be assertive, but not intimidating; visible, but not “too much.”
The same behaviour that signals confidence in one person attracts a very different label in another. And the reality is, confidence may not always arrive before the moments that matter.
She Speaks gives you something different: the awareness, tools and courage to communicate effectively - even when you feel scared or uncertain.
The foundational framework
Authority. Warmth. Energy.
Every time you walk into a room, log on to a Teams meeting, or contribute to a conversation,
you're signalling where you sit across three dimensions:
Authority
Builds credibility and commands respect. Most women unconsciously soften their authority to avoid being labelled ‘aggressive’ or 'blunt' or 'too direct'.
Warmth
Conveys that we care about others and are open to human connection. Women are often encouraged to express warmth at all costs, even if it means diminishing our expertise, swallowing our disagreement or tolerating poor behaviour.
Energy
Engages and inspires when we channel it intentionally. When we're depleted, frenetic or overwhelmed, it can have the opposite effect.
Most women don’t manage these factors consciously. Decades of conditioning can mean we're habitually editing our words, tone, gestures and body language before we've even opened our mouths. She Speaks helps you calibrate your authority, warmth and energy so you stop managing perceptions and start communicating with intention and impact.
The Program
Live online 1-hour Introductory Session
Preparation Session. Guided self-reflection and structured feedback-gathering from trusted colleagues. You arrive knowing what to work on.
2-day in-person workshop, 20th and 21st August
Maximum 18 participants - small enough for lots of practice, real feedback, and peer connection that lasts beyond the two days.
Two days of high-impact learning across four domains:
1. UNDERSTAND THE CULTURAL, SYSTEMIC AND PERSONAL FACTORS THAT SHAPE HOW YOU SHOW UP.
Recognise how internalised norms, stereotypes and your innate preferences have shaped your communication — and start letting go of the habits that no longer serve you.
2. COMMUNICATE FOR CONNECTION
Turn surface-level interaction into meaningful connection. Build trust quickly. Navigate conflict without jeopardising the relationship.
3. CONVERSATIONAL COURAGE
Experience the A.W.E. Framework in action. Say what needs to be said without compromising your values, your relationships or your reputation.
4. MAKE YOUR PRESENCE MATTER
Voice, language, body, gestures and face — how to express yourself with clarity and conviction in any professional setting, without feeling fake or awkward.
Live online 1.5-hour Implementation Session
Implementation session, a fortnight after the workshop. Troubleshoot, ask questions, celebrate what’s shifted, stay accountable for what’s next.
Full fee: $1900+GST
Earlybird rate: $1,650+GST
(Register by 15th July)
Join the waitlist
You'll leave She Speaks with:
A FRAMEWORK YOU'LL USE EVERY SINGLE DAY
You can use AWE in any communication and interaction from feedback conversations and influencing upwards to family conflicts and formal presentations.
SPECIFIC, FRANK FEEDBACK THAT YOU CAN APPLY IMMEDIATELY
Not vague suggestions: personalised feedback and advice tailored to your innate preferences and current circumstances. You’ll know exactly where your presence and communication is already working and exactly what you need to do to expand your influence and impact.
THE PRECISE LANGUAGE, BODY LANGUAGE AND GESTURES FOR MOMENTS THAT MATTER
The words to express your opinion clearly. How to handle interruptions without losing your thread. Techniques for handling conflict and inappropriate behaviour without blowing up the conversation, the relationship or your career.
SIMPLE, PRACTICAL TOOLS TO MANAGE NERVES, OVERTHINKING AND PEOPLE-PLEASING
Research-backed approaches to quell your inner-critic, overcome Imposter Syndrome and say what matters even when you feel nervous or unsure.
What 2025 participants say about the She Speaks experience:
〞
It's hard to express the difference She Speaks has made in both my personal and professional life. I'm so much better at staying calm and focused on the goal of the conversation, and am using the tools and techniques Anna shared every single day, especially in challenging situations. I loved everything about this Program, from Anna's brilliant facilitation to sharing experiences and learning from a group of incredible women."
- Jennifer Reid, City of Charles Sturt
〞
She Speaks far exceeded my expectations. The idea of choosing courage over confidence shifted how I approach opportunities, and I'm about to start a new role that I would never have applied for had I not attended She Speaks. While I always knew I had it in me, my courage was locked away, or hidden behind self-doubt, and She Speaks gave me the clarity and tools to access my inner strength and self-worth and believe in my capabilities. Thank you Anna - never stop doing what you're doing!."
- Sorell Lock, Senior Advisor South Australian Government
〞
The best program I've ever done - anyone who has an inner critic that stops them being the best version of themselves should do She Speaks! As someone with English as a second language it's been especially helpful to find the specific words and body language that will help me in complex negotiations with senior stakeholders and increase my impact in meetings. Anna is an incredible facilitator who makes every single person in the room feel empowered and inspired."
- Jasleen Kalra, Workplace Strategist, Federal Government
Still not sure if She Speaks is for you?
Get your name on the waitlist now if:
✔️ You ’re ready to take a more proactive, intentional approach to your workplace presence and communication.
✔ You ’re open to building your self-awareness through reflection, feedback and sharing your experiences and learnings with other women.
✔ You ’re seeking specific, actionable tools that deliver immediate improvements in your impact and influence.
Best to give She Speaks a miss if:
🚫 You have no interest in exploring how gender can influence self-perception, communication and workplace dynamics.
🚫 You ’re looking for presentation skills training - She Speaks will help with presenting, but the main focus is workplace communication.
🚫 You 're not in a space where you ’re open to trying new things, exploring different perspectives or working with others in small groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can’t attend the online Introductory session or one of the Implementation Sessions?
I'm not in a leadership role - will She Speaks still be useful?
Can I attend only 1 or 1.5 days of the in-person workshop?
Join the waitlist for the August 2026
She Speaks Program
Be one of the first to know when Earlybird tickets go on sale.
