Own The Room

Without Losing Yourself

For professionals whose expertise is unquestioned but whose impact gets diluted. Transform pushback into influence with presence that works when stakes are high.

You’re the person people depend on when complex information needs distilling, decisions need clarity, and stakeholders need alignment.

They seek your expertise behind closed doors, rely on your analysis to make critical decisions, and quietly acknowledge your essential role… Yet in the room, when it matters most, your contributions don’t command the influence they deserve.

You know the pattern all too well…

Every presentation where your meticulously researched recommendations get watered down in implementation.

Every stakeholder conversation where you watch less knowledgeable voices shape the direction while your insights become mere footnotes.

You’ve got indispensable expertise, but your influence is invisible.

Every quarter this pattern persists means missed leadership opportunities, delayed promotions, and career momentum lost to less qualified but more vocal colleagues.

The solution?

You don’t need theatrical presentation techniques or surface-level communication tips. You need frameworks that translate your depth of understanding into genuine authority:

Presence that works when stakes are high, when time is short, and when personalities are challenging. You need messaging that ensures your expertise receives not just acknowledgment, but the implementation and recognition it warrants.

Nicole's Trusted By

LogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogoLogo

NYU Faculty

20+ Years

Experience

20,000+ Professionals Coached

From Overlooked Expert to Undeniable Authority

The Speak Wells Method: A Neuroscience-Based Approach for Transforming Pushback Into Authority

Our 3 phases of change:

Assess

We identify the specific patterns undermining your impact. (Sometimes it’s something as simple as your vocal inflection, your message structure, or even how you handle the first 30 seconds of pushback)

Redesign

Build mental frameworks that work under pressure, not just in perfect conditions

Embody

Practice until your natural authority becomes your default mode, not something you have to remember to “turn on”

The Speak Wells Method is designed to help you walk into any high-stakes situation, from boardroom presentations, to difficult stakeholder conversations, to impromptu in-person or virtual meetings, with the quiet authority that makes people stop, listen, and act on your expertise.

Our Mission:

Turning Brilliant Bridge-Builders Into Unforgettable Voices

When you’re the go-to person for complex information, critical decisions, and stakeholder alignment, the pressure to communicate effectively is immense. I know this firsthand.

Early in my career, I stood in those rooms, felt my voice shake, and second-guessed myself, despite knowing my expertise was valuable.

The gap between what I knew and how I communicated it was painfully clear. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping others bridge that gap.

With 20+ years of experience, an MFA in Theater, certifications in Hypnosis, extensive neuroscience training, and a position as Adjunct Faculty at NYU Stern School of Business, I’ve developed a methodology specifically for analytical minds who need practical, not performative, solutions.

The breakthrough came when I realized that communication isn’t about eliminating your natural style, learning scripts of manufacturing fake confidence.

It’s about amplifying what already works while fixing what doesn’t.

Sometimes the solution is as simple as how you stand or clarifying your message. Sometimes it requires rewiring the unconscious patterns that sabotage your presence. Either way, the transformation is about becoming more authentically yourself, not performing a role that feels foreign.

Confidence Isn’t Performed. It’s Embodied

Traditional communication coaching focuses on surface behaviors — speak louder, make more eye contact — while ignoring the underlying mental frameworks that determine whether you’re truly heard. Our neuroscience-based method targets the root system of influence.

When you’re facing competing demands, impossible timelines, and strong personalities who don’t make space for thoughtful voices, standard advice fails. You need a methodology that works under real pressure.

The Speak Wells Method works with both your conscious strategies and unconscious patterns, using evidence-based techniques that create sustainable change, not temporary fixes.

I firmly believe that growth never stops.

That’s why I’m still coaching myself, still improving and still learning. Besides, this work matters so much to me. I don’t believe in turning you into someone else. I believe in revealing the natural authority that’s already there, waiting to be unlocked.

Here’s what happens when brilliant professionals finally learn to command attention without compromising authenticity…

Results That Speak

for Themselves

Who we help:

Subject Matter Experts in Leadership

Senior managers, middle managers, and directors who’ve mastered the technical expertise needed for their roles, but face the complex task of translating knowledge for multiple audiences, from C-suite briefings to team mentoring.

Professional Bridge-Builders

Consultants, lawyers, and specialists who interface between technical teams and business stakeholders, turning complex analysis into actionable insights while managing competing priorities.

High-Potential Leaders

Ambitious professionals one to two levels from VP or partner status who recognize that communication skills are their next career accelerator.

The Executive Breakthrough: From Sarcastic to Strategic

A senior executive arrived at his session 15 minutes late, visibly frustrated. He had only 5 minutes for what was supposed to be a 20-minute coaching slot.

"I know we only have 5 minutes," he said. "What can you tell me?"

"What's your problem?"

"No one listens to me. They say I'm negative, not taking them seriously, pompous."

After a quick conversation, the diagnosis was clear—and surprisingly simple. It was his vocal tone. He sounded unintentionally sarcastic in the boardroom, like Chandler from Friends delivering punchlines when he was trying to make serious strategic points.

His brilliance was there. His insights were valuable. But his vocal inflection was undermining every word before it could land.

We gave him specific vocal exercises to practice. He was skeptical but willing to try.

One month later, he sent a message: "You have no idea how much this helped. When you simply said 'It's your vocal tone,' everything clicked. I was pulling my hair out wondering what was wrong with me."

His relationships with colleagues transformed. People started actually listening to his ideas instead of reacting to how he delivered them. They wanted to work with him because they could finally hear his brilliance without the unintentional sarcasm creating static.

Five minutes. One insight. Career-changing impact.

Leadership Transformation: From Ignored to Influential

A mid-level manager came to us frustrated. She had the expertise, the strategic vision, the work ethic—but her team wasn't buying in. Worse, she was constantly interrupted in meetings, her ideas dismissed before she could fully articulate them.

The problem wasn't her content. It was her approach.

Through our work together, she discovered she was delivering the same message to every stakeholder—regardless of whether she was speaking to finance, operations, or the C-suite. Each audience needed different emphasis, different framing, different entry points.

Once she learned to tailor her messaging to each stakeholder's priorities and communication style, everything shifted. Her team started paying attention. They began offering constructive feedback instead of resistance. Most importantly, they respected her ideas—not because she changed what she was saying, but because she learned how to make it land.

From Conflict to Collaboration: The Interrupter Who Didn't Know

An executive reached out because he was constantly in conflict with his peers. He couldn't understand why. His intentions were good, his ideas were solid, and he genuinely wanted to help move projects forward faster.

That was exactly the problem.

In our sessions, we uncovered a pattern he'd never noticed: he was interrupting his colleagues mid-thought. He wasn't being rude—he thought he was being helpful, keeping things efficient, moving the process along.

But what he saw as efficiency, his colleagues experienced as disrespect. Every interruption derailed their train of thought and signaled that his input mattered more than theirs.

Once he learned to listen fully, respond thoughtfully, and resist the urge to jump in, his relationships transformed. The conflicts disappeared. Collaboration improved. His peers started seeking his input instead of avoiding conversations with him.

That was exactly the problem.

Personal Credentials

  • 20+ years experience

  • 20,000+ presentations coached

  • Clients across Fortune 500 companies, global law firms, and financial services leaders

Distinguished Clients

  • Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

  • Shearman & Sterling

  • D.E. Shaw & Co.

  • Ameriprise Financial

  • Sullivan & Cromwell

Academic Affiliations

  • NYU Stern School of Business (Adjunct Faculty)

  • NYU School of Professional Studies

  • The New School

Beyond

“Just Be Confident”

Most communication training treats symptoms, not causes. You’re told to “project authority” without explanation of how to actually do that when managing competing stakeholders and strong personalities who don’t naturally make space for thoughtful voices.

Generic presentation skills miss what analytical minds need most:

Clear frameworks that work under pressure.

Surface-level techniques crumble when you’re translating complex expertise for audiences who want both depth and simplicity.

What’s Missing: The mental frameworks that transform overwhelming situations into opportunities to demonstrate quiet authority. This is the difference between knowing your material and commanding the room.

The Speak Wells Method:

A Neuroscience-Based Approach That Actually Works

We respect your analytical mind while providing practical frameworks that work when the stakes are highest. Here’s how our process works:

step 1

Assess the Invisible Patterns

Here, we identify specific patterns undermining your presence, like the senior executive whose sarcastic demeanor contradicted his valuable insights, or the consultant whose eye contact patterns diminish her credibility.

Why it matters: You can’t fix what you can’t see. Most brilliant professionals have blind spots that are easily correctable once identified. You just need the right expert to show you what these are.

Clarity gained: You understand exactly what’s been sabotaging your impact, often finding it’s a simpler fix than you imagined.

step 2

Build Mental Frameworks That Work Under Pressure

We’ll help you learn specific response frameworks for handling unexpected questions and organizing complex information quickly. We’ll practice techniques for maintaining your train of thought when interrupted and methods for prioritizing your message points based on your audience’s needs.

Why it matters: When executives interrupt your presentation with concerns, or when clients suddenly question your methodology, these practiced frameworks prevent the internal panic that derails your authority.

Clarity gained: You’ll have go-to structures for organizing your thoughts in any high-stakes situation. Whether responding to a challenging question in a meeting or articulating complex recommendations in a time-constrained client call, you’ll know exactly what to do and how to convey it for maximum impact.

step 3

Embody Your Natural Authority

Through deliberate practice with video analysis, we make these frameworks second nature. You learn to occupy rooms with quiet confidence that invites attention rather than demanding it.

Why it matters: Real transformation happens when you stop performing confidence and start embodying it as your natural way of being. You don’t want to think about this, you want it to be second nature.

Clarity gained: You command attention not by changing who you are, but by fully becoming who you already are professionally and personally.

step 4

Master Audience Adaptation

Finally, you’ll be able to read rooms and adapt your message across different stakeholder groups while maintaining authentic authority, whether speaking to technical teams or C-suite executives.

Why it matters: Your expertise must translate clearly whether explaining complex analysis to colleagues or presenting strategic recommendations to decision-makers.

Clarity gained: You become the essential translator; the bridge between complexity and clarity that organizations depend on.

Timeline

For individual coaching, we typically work with clients over 3-6 sessions in a period of 2-6 months. Corporate programs are custom-designed based on organizational needs.

Key Tools Used

Video analysis, personalized feedback, evidence-based composure techniques, stakeholder-specific frameworks, and impromptu speaking structures.

Why Our Results Set Us Apart

Success Factors

This methodology honors both analytical thinking and authentic presence. By blending science and soul, we provide you with clear structures while respecting your unique voice and communication style.

Evidence

20 years of refinement across thousands of clients and dozens of industries has shown that addressing root causes creates sustainable transformation that becomes second nature rather than requiring ongoing effort.

Can you do this alone?

Potentially. But brilliant professionals often spend years overthinking what could be addressed in just weeks with the right diagnosis and frameworks.

From being the person whose slides are skipped through to becoming the voice that makes executives lean forward in their chairs; this is the transformation our clients experience.

Ready to transform expertise into undeniable authority? Here’s how we can work together…

Program Overview:

Transform Your Communication Impact

Signature Program: Communicating Leadership (Small Group Coaching)

Who it’s for: Senior managers, directors, and high-potential leaders ready to master expert-level communication nuances. Perfect for those managing complex stakeholder relationships, wanting to build authentic authority.

What’s included: Four intensive sessions combining Powerful Presentations, Impromptu Speaking, and individual coaching for up to 8 participants. We dive into practical frameworks that translate leadership thinking into compelling communication.

Timeline: 8-12 weeks with ongoing support

Results: Command attention in any situation, handle challenging stakeholder conversations with composure, influence without intimidation.

Individual Executive Coaching

Who it’s for: Leaders who need fully customized approaches for high-stakes situations, from board presentations to crisis communications.

What’s included: Deep-dive sessions creating optimal preparation strategies for everything from team meetings to keynotes. Fully personalized system for delivery, preparation, organization, and mental fortitude.

Timeline: 3-6 sessions over 2-6 months

Results: Unshakeable confidence and authority that becomes your natural way of being.

How We Work Together: This isn’t generic advice or high-level theory, nor is it spoon-feeding. We see this as a strategic partnership for professionals who value truly transformative results.

Expect direct feedback, specific techniques tailored to your analytical style, and accountability between sessions. You’ll receive frameworks you can implement and see results from right away.

What’s Included

Core Components:

  • Video Analysis and Personalized Feedback: See exactly what’s working and what needs adjustment

  • Evidence-Based Composure Techniques: Scientific methods to channel energy and remain calm under pressure

  • Stakeholder Communication Frameworks: Specific strategies for different audiences

  • Impromptu Speaking Systems: Organize thoughts in the moment with clear structures

  • Executive Presence Development: Verbal and non-verbal strategies that convey authority without arrogance

Support Structure

Pre-session assessments to identify your specific needs

Written materials and resources for ongoing reference

Follow-up support to ensure sustainable change

Emergency consultation availability for high-stakes situations

Success Setup: Immediate clarity session to identify your specific communication patterns and create a targeted improvement plan.

What’s NOT Included: Generic presentation tips, one-size-fits-all approaches, or surface-level confidence techniques that don’t work under real pressure.

Investment & Process

Schedule a 30-minute consultation to assess your specific communication challenges and determine the best program fit. We’ll discuss your specific situation, identify potential roadblocks, and recommend the most efficient path forward based on your goals and timeline.

Qualification:

This work is designed specifically for ambitious professionals who recognize that communication effectiveness is their next career accelerator. Our ideal clients have mastered their technical expertise but know that leadership influence requires a different skillset — one that honors their analytical mind while amplifying their impact.

What You’ll Gain From The Strategy Session:

We’ll identify exactly what’s undermining your presence and create a targeted improvement plan. You’ll walk away with at least one actionable technique you can implement in your very next meeting, plus complete clarity about your path forward. Even if we never work together beyond this session, you’ll have insights that create immediate results.

faq

It’s natural to have questions when embarking on this kind of journey, so please check out our most frequently asked questions below…

Ready to Command the Attention Your Expertise Deserves?

Stop settling for being the brilliant person in the background. Your expertise matters too much to be lost in translation or drowned out by louder voices.

“I’ve tried communication coaching before and it didn’t work.”

The problem with most programs is that they focus on symptoms without addressing root causes. Our approach works with both conscious and unconscious patterns, creating sustainable change tailored specifically to your analytical mind, your individual role or organization, and your unique stakeholder challenges.

“I don’t have time for lengthy programs.”

That’s good, because you’re exactly who this is designed for. Our clients are typically busy professionals and leaders in high-pressure jobs, who don’t have time for anything that doesn’t provide a direct ROI.


Individual coaching packages can be designed around your schedule, and many clients see immediate improvements after the first session.

“What if my communication issues are more complex?”

Unlike conventional coaches who stick to surface behaviors, my background spans cognitive neuroscience, subconscious pattern work, and stress physiology. 

This allows us to address the root system -- the thoughts before the thoughts -- that creates authentic transformation rather than temporary techniques you'll abandon under pressure.

“I’m busy now. Should I start later?”

There's always a reason to start later. A big project deadline, a hectic family schedule, or just general 'life stuff.' 

But every quarter you wait is a quarter where your expertise goes undervalued and your ideas underimplemented. The professionals making the biggest impact aren't waiting for the perfect time, they're developing these skills alongside their other responsibilities.

That's exactly what separates those who remain technical experts from those who advance to positions of genuine influence.

You're already successful despite communication challenges. Imagine what becomes possible when your external presence finally matches your internal expertise. Your brilliant insights deserve to be heard with the authority they warrant.

Let’s spend 30 minutes identifying exactly what’s been undermining your presence, show you the specific frameworks that will fix it, and create a clear path forward.

If you want to work with us, great, we can discuss that. If not, you’ll still walk away with valuable insights you can implement immediately.

Either way, you’ll have clarity about what’s been holding you back and what to do next.

So book that call, or contact us via the details shown.

Copyright 2025 | All Rights Reserved