John experienced significant challenges in communicating as he transitioned from the military to civilian life. For many years, he struggled to communicate effectively and confidently in face-to-face interactions, often feeling extremely nervous and emotional, even to the point of tears – so the thought of presenting compounded this.
After leaving the Army, John found it difficult expressing his experiences, skills and emotions in the civilian world. Online communication presented an even bigger challenge.
Despite spending five years in university, improving his confidence and self-esteem, John wanted to overcome his fears and gain confidence while presenting and talking to people, but this was not an easy task after years of feeling isolated.
Areas of focus: Overcoming nerves and presenting the right content
Presenting to an audience as an Army veteran can be challenging as military and civilian communication styles are very different. There were three things John needed to be able to do when presenting:
- Controlling his nerves – Veterans, trained for high-pressure situations, can still find public speaking in civilian settings daunting. John needed techniques to control nerves and confidently convey his message.
- Modify the intensity and tone of his voice – Veterans often have a direct and assertive communication style, which might seem too intense in civilian settings. John needed to learn tools and techniques to adjust his tone, be mindful of formality and align his communication style with civilian expectations.
- Craft the right content and message – Translating military experience into something civilians can relate to is challenging. Military roles are very specific and it can be hard to explain them in a way civilians understand. Also, since veterans have diverse experiences, a single approach won’t work for everyone.
A significant percentage of individuals, regardless of experience or expertise, experience some level of anxiety when faced with public speaking. By understanding and dealing with these challenges, anyone can improve how they present. Getting their message across in a way that connects with their audience.
John attended The Skilled Presenter™ workshop in central London.
The Skilled Presenter™ focuses on how listeners perceive the speaker, introducing reliable techniques that professional speakers use to prepare and deliver presentations – no matter what delivery platform.
This practical 2 day workshop gives you tools and techniques to reclaim your confidence and banish your presentation fears. The workshop helps you deliver an audience focused presentation giving you the structure to PLAN, PERFORM and PRACTISE your perfect presentation.
The Skilled Presenter™ teaches the vital tricks and techniques that many leaders use to make clear, powerful and visionary speeches. It teaches you the tools to present yourself, your organisation and your vision in a way that will be remembered.
What happened after the workshop?
After attending The Skilled Presenter™, John saw major improvements in his life. He secured speaking roles at a veteran charity event, a national conference and a corporate charity event.
Using the skills from The Skilled Presenter™ workshop and continuing to improve his communication, John is now confidently pursuing his dream of public speaking and advocating for other veterans with similar challenges.
“Dealing with C-PTSD, I often struggle with new places, but finding and being inside the venue was smooth thanks to its layout and helpful staff. The welcoming Indigo team and the diverse group of friendly delegates created a perfect learning environment.
At the end of day 1, I realised I was comfortable in a new place among strangers, feeling confident and no longer anxious about speaking. This experience gave me the necessary tools and techniques to overcome obstacles that had hindered my integration into civilian life. The trainer’s expertise and the supportive group atmosphere made everything seem achievable. By the second day, I was actually excited about the prospect of public speaking.”
“I attended a public workshop – the trainer was engaging, it was fun and really put me at ease. Meeting people from such diverse industries and roles meant that I learnt about their challenges and different ways to solve them – so if I ever face these, I’ve got a head start. We’ve also all kept in touch!”
“In a recent presentation, I followed the Skilled Presenter™ structure well. I lost track a little in the middle, but just changed the topic, as The Skilled Presenter™ teaches you to do – no one knew, it just flowed. I never felt nervous at all because of all the techniques I learnt – a great confidence boost.”
The Skilled Presenter™ workshop is available as a public workshop in Central London, find out more. You can also deliver it to groups and teams through our in-house workshops (face-to-face and online), enquire about in-house training here.
John Cutting, an Army veteran, deals with a significant mental health condition called Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). A result of his military service.
Struggling to access treatment and desperate for a solution to his chaotic and confusing life, in September 2017, he began a self-help journey. He enrolled in a Fine Art BA (Hons) Degree and graduated from York St John University in 2021. Continuing his studies, he graduated in 2023 with a Master of Fine Art degree.
Find out more about John: www.johncuttingvisualartist.co.uk
