Speaking With Gravitas
A 2-day workshop equipping your leaders with proven techniques and strategies to persuade and influence when the stakes are high.
We only have one chance to make an impact.
In a crucial moment, two leaders take to the stage.
They are similar in many ways. Both with global reputations and a powerful message to share.
And both understand the cost should their speech fail.
They deliver their message and step down from the stage. Equally confident they have won the room.
But now, a clear difference emerges. One speaker stands alone and disappointed. The other, surrounded by a crowd of decision-makers eager to learn more.
There’s a secret to powerful public speaking.
One that compels key players to hunt down my clients the instant they leave the podium.
Former US Admiral William McRaven, EU Chief Diplomat Kaja Kallas and social psychologist Amy Cuddy, demonstrate their command of it.
Before they say a single word, the audience is gripped.
And when they speak
We trust them. We believe them. We invest in them.
The secret is mastery of two critical skills:
Communication
Crafting and delivering a clear, persuasive and impactful message.
Gravitas
Exuding expertise and authority to command attention and build trust.
Imagine if your leaders could use these skills to get stakeholders on board, consistently.
How much impact, influence, and profit would it create for your business?
I can help you achieve this.
By the end of the final pitch, half the room had been brought to tears.
Dr Laverick proved that when you take ownership of your project and speak from your heart – supported by a robust and strategic structure – in just 2 minutes you really can say it all.
I am Dr Susan Laverick
Communication advisor to diplomats, NGOs, peacebuilders and corporations.
Ex-Citigroup
Ex-BBC London
MA in Renaissance Studies
Doctorate in English Literature
Find out more about Susan on LinkedIn
In matters of war and peace, the message must land.
From enhancing the authority of Ukraine diplomats representing their country in its darkest hour, or enabling peace builders in Bosnia & Herzegovina to articulate a vision to unite fractured communities…
I am no stranger to transforming leaders into voices of authority when everything is on the line.
And the same communication tools that transform countries, transform businesses.
Whether you want to secure partnerships, sell a product, or gain vital funding, impactful communication is the most powerful instrument for winning minds and hearts.
Over 900 leaders from the corporate, academic, and humanitarian sectors have experienced the flagship workshop, ‘Speaking With Gravitas’.
All were shown how to surpass their potential as speakers and make a difference when it matters most.
Recent client results
NGO CEO made the best speech of her career in front of a donor audience, securing immediate investor interest in her project.
International sector head gained 10 leads after an opening pitch to government clients.
Researchers won the elite global Geneva Challenge competition, securing collaboration and research funding.
50 Ukraine diplomats became more compelling advocates for their country.
25 former civil activists were helped to peacefully reintegrate into mainstream society after communication training.
36 peace laureates delivered captivating pitches to UN events in New York and Geneva.
When I have something important to communicate, I contact Susan.
Dr. Laverick possesses exceptional expertise in enhancing communication skills and an outstanding ability to articulate precise messages tailored to specific contexts. Her communication workshops are not only memorable but strategically aligned with the overarching objectives.
Trusted by
Susan has mastered the art of impactful communication, effortlessly transferring her expertise to others.
She excels in curating compelling, tactical content, while her strategic and innovative approach to training make her a front-line player in the field.
Workshop Structure
Over two days, your leaders will gain the confidence and critical skills to seduce an audience within the first ten seconds.
Whether presenting to an auditorium of hundreds or an intimate briefing room of an elite few…let’s make every speech one people will never forget.
50% content & structure.
50% delivery.
We need both to present an impeccable speech that attracts interest.
A well-written speech that doesn’t engage the audience?
Send it on a postcard, it’ll have about as much impact.
The message must align with your goal and then be brought to life.
In only two days, participants can master both.
Day 1: Clarity, confidence and know how.
- The difference between persuasion and informing.
- Power of message-driven content and key messages.
- Structuring content depending on an objective.
- The rhetorical devices which enhance memorability.
- Openings which hook audience interest.
- Understand the cognitive biases sabotaging confidence.
- Tapping into individual communication styles for authentic delivery.
- Cultivate body language to convey gravitas.
Day 2: Deliver, analyse and perfect.
- Draft and present a 10-minute presentation (use case).
- Integrate all skills from previous day.
- Command a room with gravitas and body language.
- Fielding Q & A effectively.
- Becoming comfortable with the camera.
- Incisive, real-time feedback from filmed presentations.
- Discussion of improvements and progress.
Participants receive:
A ‘works every time’ speech template
This gets to the heart of the matter without wasting words. It can be used time after time to map out any persuasive arguments.
High-level critique
We will film presentations and analyse performance. This is the only way to understand how our audience perceives us. My individual, razor-sharp feedback guarantees that delivery skills improve, fast.
Post-workshop coaching
These individual online sessions allow us to evaluate progress and address any challenges.
A ‘works every time’ speech template
This gets to the heart of the matter without wasting words. It can be used time after time to map out any persuasive arguments.
High-level critique
We will film presentations and analyse performance. This is the only way to understand how our audience perceives us. My individual, razor-sharp feedback guarantees that delivery skills improve, fast.
Post-workshop coaching
These individual online sessions allow us to evaluate progress and address any challenges.
This approach is:
Practical – No abstract theories, only real-world skills.
Accessible – Complex communication strategies made simple.
Actionable – Leave with techniques you can use immediately.
A bored audience is the kiss of death for any presenter.
So we’re going to make sure they hang on every word.
2025 Workshop Fees
2-day Speaking with Gravitas Workshop.
In-person only.
Up to 8 participants
10,500 CHF per workshop
Includes eight 1:1 coaching sessions, post-training event.
+ Travel and accommodation
I marvel at Susan’s ability to create exceptional presenters, every time.
Dr Susan Laverick and I worked together for six years helping presenters from around the world showcase complex humanitarian projects as powerful presentations at Rotary Day at the United Nations in Geneva, New York, and Nairobi. Her understanding of language, context and the power of voice is extraordinary – she conveys her insights with such grace that nerves are calmed, and authenticity prevails.
Don’t let poor communication be your organisation’s Achilles heel.
Make exceptional communication its greatest asset.
Enable your leaders to become poised, credible communicators who transform your organisation’s reputation.
1. Win stakeholder buy in.
2. Magnify impact and influence.
3. Future proof brand reputation.
4. Forge aligned partnerships.
5. Create priceless opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
We’re a remote hybrid team, can this be held online?
This is an in-person workshop. There’s an ‘in the room’ energy we must develop for a commanding and convincing speech. Face-to-face is the only way to truly hone the skill of how an audience experiences us (gravitas) beyond words on a page.
Will this deliver noticeable results?
Companies see a measurable ROI from working with me. My clients are sought-after, and if your leaders apply the learning, they will be too.
Our leaders are competent speakers, do they really need this?
Some leaders need to activate their speaking potential, others need to enhance it. The question is, do their speeches create a flurry of interest? If not, there’s work to do.
Do the skills covered by the workshop apply equally to speeches and presentations?
Absolutely yes. Whether a keynote or major presentation, delivery techniques and the fundamentals of structure/content taught by this workshop apply to any context where speakers have an audience.
We want every participant to get individual attention. Is that possible?
You’re in luck. Every person receives individual support and feedback to meet their needs. I meet each one of them where they are in their communication journey. There are no blanket statements here, only personalised direction.
Our team is so busy, can the training be delivered in one day?
Yes. We can condense the two-day format into one day. This will not include the valuable group activity delivered on day two. This also means less opportunity to film and critique your speakers, a component deemed the workshop’s most valuable asset.
Is a 2-day workshop enough time to see a difference?
I’ll let a client answer that for you: “Susan is pin sharp. Direct and straightforward with empathy and kindness. She can see what needs to be adjusted fast. I call her Wonder Woman because she transformed 20 young people into captivating speakers for a diplomatic event in less than 48 hours! Each with their own needs, topics, and agendas. It was extraordinary.”
Get in touch today
Let’s make sure every message finds its mark.
“Articulate a key message with compelling clarity.
Inject it with passion and purpose.
Maximise that message with structure and delivery.
Grasp those precious moments of audience connection.
And walk off stage to applause and interest.”