About Our Training
Commanding Presence Training
For over 20 years, Commanding Presence has delivered advanced training on communication, public speaking, and presentation in Canada and the U.S.
Our workshops are built around the power of storytelling to help participants deliver presentations that are clear, compelling, and memorable, even when conveying complex information or speaking in high-stakes environments. Participants will bring one or two real-world topics to work on during the session, making the experience highly practical and personalized.
For smaller groups, sessions will include videotaping and playback to support skill development through guided feedback.
In addition to private workshops, we offer a monthly two-day public enrollment option in downtown Toronto. This format is ideal for individuals or small teams.
We also provide one-on-one coaching for critical client engagements, including high-stakes presentations.
Our Expert Communication Skills Coaches
Peter Hiddema, Lead Workshop Coach
Peter Hiddema is Commanding Presence’s Communication Skills Coach. Peter Hiddema is an expert trainer, coach and speaker, specializing in business communication & presentation skills, negotiation, collaboration, and conflict management. He is the founder of Common Outlook Consulting Inc.
Building on his association with the Harvard Negotiation Project, the renowned research center dedicated to improving the practice of negotiation and conflict management, Peter has taught, consulted, and spoken about the principles of the methodology in numerous countries on four continents since 1996.
Peter has worked in a wide variety of settings. In the private sector, he has assisted local organizations and trained executives of Fortune 500 companies globally on high-stakes negotiations and relationships. In the public sector, he has worked with the World Health Organization, the Inter-American Development Bank, international non-governmental organizations, universities, national and regional government bodies, and indigenous peoples. Peter is also a Visiting Professor in France and Singapore at INSEAD – The Business School for the World. He has lectured at Queen’s University (Canada and the UK), Harvard University (the USA), and others.
Peter began his career in finance and banking. He worked with the Royal Bank of Canada in Toronto, Canada and London, England. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce Degree from McMaster University, an MBA from Queen’s University (Canada), and an Executive Master’s Degree in Consulting and Coaching for Change from INSEAD (France). Peter speaks 4 languages, lived in 6 countries on 4 continents, and travelled through over 50 countries. He is curious by nature and considers himself a perpetual student in the school of life. Read more +Sylvie Pelletier, Workshop & Personal Coach
Established in her own leadership development coaching company, Sylvie partners with emerging women leaders, to unleash their potential, and drive meaningful impact in their organizations. Focused on leadership skills and strategic thinking, she anchors their work in an organization’s vision and strategic plan. In her coaching, Sylvie also helps clients enhance mental resilience and drive lasting changes so that they can face challenges with ease and flow.
Originally from Quebec, and having grown up in a bilingual household, Sylvie is equally and professionally fluent in English and French. Read more +
Michael Ripley, Workshop & Personal Coach
Michael is an expert on storytelling in the corporate environment and presentation skills. He has spent most of his adult life on the border between the corporate and performing arts worlds.
A highly respected instructor in colleges and universities, a successful playwright, an actor with great reviews in theatres, and a veteran in marketing and sales, he possesses an eclectic array of skills that enables him to bring a wealth of real-world know-how and a highly valuable perspective to our Commanding Presence coach team.
As the instructor, Michael taught Canadian Performance History at Ryerson/Toronto Metropolitan University. He was a 2-time director of the Blyth Festival Young Company. He also coached on improvisation for Arts Express. He was the founder of Theatre Rattlebag, and TalentedMR – a design studio that offered design solutions for the arts. Michael delivers workshops to top clients such as Fidelity, Kellanova, Ontario Power Generation, WISB, Universal Music, Air Canada, and many moreRead more +
Videos About Our Communication Skills Training
Our training is of tremendous value to professionals at every stage of their career. Whether you’re just starting out and looking to build confidence, or you’re already an experienced speaker and established leader, you’ll benefit from the training to refine your presence, enhance your impact, and communicate with even greater clarity and influence.
The benefits and learning objectives of our communication skills training
About our Two-Day Communication Skills Training
Communication Skills & Presentation Skills Training Formats Available
