Take Back Control and Build Confidence


Have the presence for presentations, media, meetings and difficult situations.

Feel and be more confident, open and authentic, knowing the hidden secrets to your body and voice.

Are you an Executive, Senior Leader or Emerging Leader and find yourself thinking:

If any of these sound like you, it’s time to elevate your Leadership Presence, Confidence and Influence.

We’re in a Crisis of Leadership

In the last 3 years, C-Suite Leaders have been under more pressure than ever. With the constant changes in how people work, including working from home, keeping people engaged at work means building trust and connection with them. In fact, according to Forbes Magazine, at any one time, 70% of people are disengaged at work. 

Combined with the overwhelm of information and misinformation, business leaders have the constant challenge of redirecting the narrative. For community leaders and politicians, trust has eroded since 2020. In fact, according to the Edelman Trust Barometer, in some countries, CEO credibility and trust is at an all-time low, including Japan (18 per cent) and France (22 per cent), making the challenge for CEO leaders even more acute as they try to address today’s problems.

As a result, teams, organisations and communities are looking for leaders to lead the way. With around 75% of people having “glossophobia”, a fear of public speaking, one of the biggest challenges for those leaders is to have the confidence to do this publicly and communicate with excellence.

The Gravitas Journey

Level 1: Collapser

When a collapser speaks, they tend to allow their words to trail off and not finish sentences. Their voice loses its volume and pitch and often lose making their point. As a result, their audience loses connection and confidence in them as they often have to pick up the rest of the conversation. Most collapser’s aren’t aware that this is what is holding their communication back, and their confidence is deteriorating, so it’s about making them aware that this is happening and making a decision if they want it to change.

Level 2: Struggler

The struggler will often keep their volume and pitch low in their voice. They’re often afraid of saying the wrong thing and hoping that if they speak quietly enough, no one will notice. The irony is that it stands out more than ever for the wrong reasons. Once they have the right advice and steps in place, the next focus for them is to practice.

Level 3: Amateur

The amateur often has some variety in their ability to perform but aren’t using their body and voice intentionally or in a way that aligns with their message and audience. The next focus for them is to have pressure applied to them so they have the opportunity to use the skills in different contexts and so they can see the impact of their mind, body and voice on the audience and get their message through. The key insight for the amateur is that they don’t know what they don’t know. They think they’re good, but they still have some way to go.

Level 4: Intern

The intern often has the ability to use a broad range of skills to get their message across, but they haven’t had enough experience to use it all to improve. Their eyes are wider open; they’re like sponges and very keen to learn. At this level, it is about observing the master, operating from high to low pressure to see them in action and applying in practice themselves. Once they have achieved this level of skill, they are about 80% of the way on their journey to increasing their confidence.

Level 5: Professional

The professional is typically well versed in the skills to grow their confidence. They’re getting away with it every time, but they actually feel not as confident as they could. The only issue for them is that some situations can cause them to lose their self-belief, but the audience won’t know. They might be listening to the wrong people or beating themselves up a little too much when they are in face really effective communicators. At this level of their journey, they are at around 90% of the level of confidence. They just need reassurance that they’re on the right track. Things like going red, legs shaking and pitch variations and other irrelevant things may be putting them off, but in fact, the audience isn’t noticing them at all.

Level 6: Master

The master is focused on being exceptional. They know that you never achieve perfection, but they can keep learning to help them stay sharp and focus on continuous improvement to be the best communicator they can be. They surround themselves with masters of their craft, thrive on the challenge of communicating well and will even begin teaching other leaders to be more effective in their communication. Ah, Grasshopper!

Body: Whilst most think the voice drives what we say, it’s actually our body that has the greatest influence, first and foremost. Our body is driven by our emotions which are driven by our thinking. Once the body is clear on its job, the rest becomes easier!

Voice: Our voice’s range, tone, pitch and volume can tell an audience so many things that can either enforce or deplete a message. Identifying the right voice for your communication can completely change the audience’s perspective of you and your message.

Structure: Whilst it might look like the best speakers wing it, they actually don’t. They have a process and plan that serves them no matter whether they have seconds, minutes, hours, days or years to prepare for their presentation. The more structured they have, the more confidence they exude.

Confident Leader Retreat Yarra Valley Oct 2022
The great news is that once these three are in place, every leader has the ability to have a greater presence, they are actually heard, and they garner greater attention.  The more these are in place, the more confidence a leader has.

This masterclass is ideal for:

  • Motivated C-suite Executives who are prepared to invest in communication and looking for their edge
  • Leaders who have a change need, for example, you have to suddenly go overseas to present, do media interviews, handle disgruntled shareholders or being nice to staff when not accustomed to doing it
  • Leaders who are looking to show greater empathy in how they communicate and create a deeper connection with their audience

This program is not ideal for you if you:

  • Are not open to change
  • Don’t want to do the practice
  • Are not prepared for feedback

You’ll walk away from the Gravitas Masterclass with:

  • Skills, techniques and understanding of your body, voice and structure to create powerful influence as a leader
  • Confidence to answer questions, get your message across and think on your feet
  • Handle high-pressure media interviews, press conferences, town halls, shareholder meetings and difficult conversations
  • Crisis Management presentations where you have to deliver under difficult circumstances and relentless pressure

In this highly interactive, engaging and fun 1-day masterclass , Dr Mahler offers theory and interaction-based around winning the hearts and minds of those around you with the following outcomes:

  • Explore the development of a diagnosis:  Analysis of your individual body, mind and voice patterns to instigate a program for your ongoing long-term presence and influence improvement
  • Discover the process for preparing under pressure and delivering powerful messages
  • Awareness of the psychology of performance, audience engagement and unravelling the psychology of difficult situations that create performance anxiety
  • Uncover the skills of body and voice that underpin interpersonal engagement and the power of gestures that undermine a message and presence as a leader
  • Present any content with creativity and orginility and agility
  • Discover a processes for handling various leadership opportunities, including presentation, media, emotional face-to-face engagements
  • How to obtaining ‘Practice’ feedback even if you don’t have a presentation coming up

This masterclass provides an outstanding leadership development opportunity for those leaders who need insight and awareness of their own gestures, mannerisms and. Numbers are strictly limited to allow for individual attention.

Your Masterclass Includes:

  • One day Masterclass with Dr Louise Mahler
  • Full colour workbook with tools and resources you can use back at home or in the office
  • Share your ideas, collaborate with like-minded business associates, and receive direct feedback
  • Learn and practice new skills and frameworks 
  • Have a change experience on how you present 
  • Delicious morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
  • A copy of Louise’s book ‘Resonate’

 

Sydney

Date: 23rd of February 2024
Time: 9.30 am - 4 pm
Location: Accenture Office

Early Bird open until 23rd of January2024
Prices will go to
$997+GST PP
$5500+GST for a table of 6

Melbourne

Date: June 2024
Time: 9.30 am -4 pm
Location: RACV City Club







Testimonials

"I have to deliver 3-8 presentations a quarter and I was feeling my presentations were becoming the same. I have been given the tools to make my presentations more engaging"
Rebecca Koeleman
Human Resource Manager, Simply Helping Hand
"I learned how to use body language to effectively communicate and use gestures on a greater basis."
Kym Robinson
Psychosexual Therapist
"Everything was amazing!"
Kellie Rigg
Organisational Psychologist | Leadership Coach | Founder
"Reinforces my need to continually practice, although it has sharpened my visual ability to see foot faults in others and also assisted with my ability to provide feedback in a meaningful way to support other persons."
Caiomhe Fennell
General Manager SHEQ Aus/NZ, Ventia
"I have implemented lessons learned in the workshop into my every day mode of operations. I can say that this has assisted me in resolving the conflict situation to the level that when I used this the client who was full of anger responded with an apologuy and decided not to pursue the negative line of communication."
Barry Carolan
Delivery Manager, Customer Delivery Unit, Telstra
"I have used several techniques since returning from the retreat. I have received feedback that I am perceived as calm and in control, along with knowing the subject matter."
Di Bodman
A/g Assistant Secretary, Finance Transformation Branch, Corporate Services Division, Department of Finance
"You were brilliant, and we all walked away with valuable skills. But even more importantly, everyone to a person remarked how good it was to have a good belly laugh."
Kate Kogh
Chief Financial Officer, RMIT
"A career defining moment for me and the feedback has been amazing. Immediately after the presentation yesterday I was asked to do a speaking gig at a management forum. You've given me skills that reach beyond public speaking into my day to day world and it has just been so much fun!"
Deanne Leaver
Director, Assett Strategy Department of Health and Human Services
"Everyone was so pleased. It absolutely topped off the day. A lot of people have been talking about it since everyone commented on the final speaker. It ended the day on a positive upbeat ending. Made a big different to the day. Everyone went away throwing their arms out with joy."
Pam Younes
Holmesglen
"Wow - We could not have asked for a more perfect start to our conference! I've never seen an audience participate with such enthusiasm and then carry on the techniques they learnt on day one throughout the entire conference! Thank you Louise, you are a true professional and. a must-have on any conference stage!"
Megan Smaller
National Manager Events, Australian Institute of Project Management
“Attending Louise Mahler’s Confident Leader retreat was transformational. Over three days, we took a deep dive into understanding how to best structure and deliver our content, and how to engage an audience through the effective use of gestures, breath and voice. Receiving direct feedback from one of the world’s best keynote presenters on every minor detail of my content and delivery is something you can’t get from books. I highly recommend this immersive experience to anyone serious about dramatically improving their presence and influence on the stage, in front of a media camera or in the boardroom.”
Ros Weadman
Director, Marcomms Australia
"I feel confident that my future is going to be elevated with the insights and tips/hacks/habits I took away from Gravitas Masterclass."
Glenn Carter
Product Owner - Head of Tech Capability Development
"The most valuable thing I learned today was projecting voice and controlling physical appearance under pressure."
Jonathan Wakeman
Institutional Distribution Executive at Bennelong Funds Management
"The most valuable thing I learned today was where I place my eyes - don’t look up! Things go better in 3’s (or 5’s oops)!"
Jenny Ellis
Councillor Griffith City Council
"The most valuable things I learned today were voice, gestures and the whole process and structure while presenting."
Priya Venkitachalam
Program Director at Transport for NSW
"Louise is an absolute superstar! Her guidance has shown me that I don't have to lower my voice. Instead, I can confidently communicate by nodding, blinking, and smiling."
Lee Papworth
Interim CEO | GAICD
"Louise has enlightened me on the significance of the body in projecting gravitas. I now understand how it impacts my presence and communication."
Anna Lorenzetto, PhD
Associate Director at Forethought
"Thanks to Louise's techniques, my confidence has been bolstered, enabling me to deliver messages with clarity and quality."
Kowsikaraman Pattabiraman
Head of Technology, Corporate & Service Delivery for Yarra Valley Water
"Louise's communication frameworks are a perfect arsenal of tools that have enhanced my ability to connect and engage with others."
Emily Westmore
Board Secretary at Parks Victoria
"Louise's guidance on controlling breathing, anchoring, and creative link techniques has revolutionized my presentation skills."
Jenny Liakopoulos
Head of Partnerships at Foresters Financial
"You have to be one of the most incredible people I have ever met and I can’t believe I was lucky enough to spend 3 days with you! I will never ever forget you! Thank you so much! Can’t wait to tell you how wonderful I was in a few weeks!"
Anjuna Singh
Executive Director, Department of Transport and Main Roads

About Dr Louise Mahler


A rare breed as one of the world’s leading keynote speakers, Dr. Louise Mahler has been voted in the top experts in both Body Language and Communication globally. Highly qualified with multiple degrees and masters, Louise has a PhD in Business, focusing on Leadership Communication, and in 2023 was awarded the title of Adjunct Professor.

Obsessed with creating exceptional human connection, Louise helps leaders and teams to elevate their body language, voice and divulges the algorithms of engagement in highstakes engagement.

While her tools and techniques are useful, practical and highly relevant, she is best known on-stage and in the media for her in-themoment, deeply insightful analysis and hilarious impersonations of world leaders. Her skills in translating and articulating how leaders communicate creates a powerful world-class, incredibly engaging and interactive experience that delegates often say is “life-changing”.

Louise is a highly sought-after media figure and commentator. From analysing politicians during the federal election such as Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese to the royals such as Prince Harry and Meghan, her recent analysis of the Johnny Depp and Amber Herd trial attracted over 2 million views on YouTube, She is regularly interviewed on Sunrise, The Today Show, SBS, the ABC, and radio stations across Australia.

Louise also makes regular appearances on highly ranked prime-time TV with Hughesy We Have a Problem. Quoted in USA and British media, she is a weekly contributor to digital and print news throughout Australia. She recorded 36 videos for the Australian Financial Review and was chosen by IBM as a key creative source worldwide. She is the host of her own podcast POP: Perspectives on Performance featuring stories, tools and techniques of all performing arts and
their applicability to leadership.

Presence & Influence

Be heard in hostile environments

Interested in booking Louise for an event or enquiring about booking one of Louise’s programs?

Fill out the form, Louise can’t wait to hear from you!