When we communicate, we do so not just through the content of our speech, but actually and most importantly through the way we present ourselves. The overall effect of voice, language and body language is what defines our unique individual presence. Sometimes the presence does not correspond to the person. Working on your voice, language and body language can create clarity in the way you carry yourself – not just outwardly, but even more so inwardly: Your motives, your values and attitudes, your strengths and boundaries are all defining characteristics of your nature and are reflected in your manner. Positive or negative, they cannot be denied. Which is a good thing, because from them we can develop a completely individual, authentic and vibrant presence that is consistent with your personality – so you can fulfil your professional role more skilfully, communicate your ideas with conviction and engage with others on clear terms. In other words: so you can be effective
Often it is not fully developed.
Almost never are we aware of it.
That’s where I come in.
PRESENCE
PROFILE
I start where others leave off.
The basic principles of my work are rooted in my training in the fields of voice and public-speaking instruction, singing, bodywork, communication, education, psychology, medicine and guided imagery. As a consequence, a compelling presence is something I view not just from a single perspective, but always in its totality. This is how we achieve personalised results: Professional Experience Education and Training Professional Development
Only by working with you individually can we tap into your resources – untangling them like a ball of yarn – which is how we work our way to the core of your personality. The result is a powerful and authentic self-presentation that goes far beyond rhetorical tricks.
Consultant
since 2006
Co-director “biss.”
“biss Institut für Sprech- und Stimmbildung Berlin” (1999 - 2006)
Private voice, breathing and public-speaking coach
Berlin (1995 - 2006)
Voice instructor
University of Greifswald (1989 - 1992)
German language & literature and music pedagogy (completed 1989)
Vocal pedagogy (completed 1987)
Breathing, speech and voice instruction (completed 1995)
Type-specific breath-, voice- and bodywork (completed 1998)
Integrative imagination work / guided imagery work (completed 2001)
Systemic and Discursive Consulting (2009 - 2011)
Improvisational Theatre (2012 - 2013)
Dynamic Facilitation, Open Space Technology, Thinking Circle, World Café (2013 - 2014)
Psychodrama (2014 - 2015)
SERVICES
Escape your constraints.
I work with individuals as well as groups.
Individual Consulting
In a one-to-one consultation I accompany you, and you alone, into your personal work situation. We work on your distinctive attitude and concentrate on your individual goals, working together to create the itinerary for our collaboration. At the centre of this personal journey is the process of working on your strengths.
Group Consulting
In group consultations, I work with a maximum of eight participants, usually focusing on one or more specific areas such as public speaking, voice training, presentations or professional roles. Although the emphasis in group work is more on particular topics, I still work very individually with each participant. That’s because each individual brings to the table their own subjects to work on, in the form of their voice, body language and posture.
I am available to work short-term,when you have a speech, presentation or important decision coming up, or long-term, to effect a fundamental change in the way you present yourself professionally.
Subject Areas
Below you’ll find the range of areas I work in, to give you a taste of the possibilities. All these topics are interwoven, yet they can also be addressed separately.
The best thing is for you to call or e-mail me. Only by communicating with you can I identify possible priorities for our work together. Then I can put together a personalised package for you.
Presentations
Presentation work includes techniques and exercises covering the three main areas of communication: voice, language and body language. The very first impression you convey is the product of your vocal, verbal and physical manner – only afterward does focus shift to the content. My work taps into individual strengths and resources that we can use to strengthen your presence: First, so you can present your work and your business convincingly in person, and second, so you can communicate your ideas vividly and make a lasting impression. The goal is to make your self-presentation your personal calling card.
Body Language
It’s not just wordplay: Your mental attitude is very much dependent on your physical attitude – that is, the way you carry yourself. And your physical stance is linked to what you stand for. We’ll work on vibrant posture and natural gestures and facial expressions. Our goal is make your speech effortlessly expressive, which helps to make your standpoint clear.
Voice and Speech
I give you the tools to cultivate a voice that speaks for itself, teaching you the fundamental connections between posture, breathing, articulation and resonance, and the effect these have on the expressiveness of your speaking voice. You’ll learn to use your breathing in a way that enhances your speech and lends strength and resonance to your voice. We’ll find the most efficient speaking pitch for you, the “neutral setting” that comes across to listeners as friendly and authoritative. Skilful use of voice and language, coupled with an expressive speaking style, enhances your self-presentation and can even defuse potential conflicts in conversational settings.
Language and Communication in Presentations
Clear and vivid communication is more than just conveying ideas – the act of communicating takes place primarily on the level of relationships. To give a compelling presentation, you have to be able to link these two levels together through words. Together, we’ll decide on your goals and your core message, and we’ll work out a “script” and a dramatic structure for your speech. We’ll make your words more powerful by formulating a central theme, a narrative, and a set of clear, active statements and verbal images. We’ll put together a presentation that appeals to all the senses and never becomes boring, that remains entertaining and easy to understand throughout. And last but not least, we’ll also deal with “er”, overused words, never-ending sentences, and other individual tics.
Stage Presence
Anytime you give a speech or presentation, you’re standing in the “spotlight” in front of your listeners – that’s why we talk about “stage presence” even in situations that have nothing to do with the theatre. We’ll concentrate on building the charisma that’s essential in any public-speaking situation.
Rehearsing for Your Big Moment
Together, we’ll put on a “dress rehearsal” for your lecture, presentation or talk. We’ll go over all the relevant elements and fine-tune each one: the space, the “stage” and equipment, the “script” and dramatic structure of your “scene,” and lastly the presentation itself. We’ll finish off your rehearsal with some constructive feedback. The goal is to have a clear presence from “entrance” to “exit.”
Women in Leadership Positions
Women often face a unique set of challenges in their professional lives: On one hand, they need to communicate their ideas forcefully and authoritatively and show themselves to be competent leaders. On the other hand, they may also feel a desire to affirm feminine qualities, to distance themselves from what is seen as a “masculine” way of being. We’ll work together to find the right balance.
Working on and with Your Professional Role
We’ll work on cultivating a specific presence that’s appropriate to the requirements of your professional position. In the process, we’ll create clarity about the qualities necessary to your work role, and about the consequences for the way you communicate and present yourself professionally.
Stress Management
Whether it’s pre-presentation nerves or feelings of stress in specific areas of your work with colleagues and clients, focused stress management can help. We’ll discover your personal “stress symptoms” and learn how to use them to your advantage in specific communicational situations.
REFERENCES
A partner you can trust.
The work I do with my clients is a very personal process, founded on deep and mutual trust. I have therefore chosen not to share a list of detailed references here, since I feel that doing so would undermine that trust. My expertise is the product of more than twenty years of working with corporate groups, service firms and small- and medium-sized businesses. I work with executives and politicians at every level, and with teams and individuals in many sectors, including the automotive industry, banking, pharmaceuticals, aviation, politics, media companies, radio, television, social services and public health.
CONTACT
Ulrike Pahl
Voice- and Speech Work
Presentation Work
Communication
Berlin – London
| Address | Goethestraße 58 D – 10625 Berlin |
| Tel | +49 (0) 162 / 3324667 |
| ulrike.pahl@online.de |