Morgan Stanley | Presentations /lightening talks

The situation
A group of women were expected to speak clearly and confidently in front of their line managers. Many were capable and experienced, but pressure changed how they showed up. Speed increased. Clarity dropped. Confidence wobbled, especially in high-stakes moments.

The group was culturally diverse. Communication styles, comfort with authority, and relationship to visibility were not the same.

What the work focused on
This was not a content-heavy training. Very little material was shared in advance.

The real work happened through:

• Live, interactive sessions

• Weekly speaking practice

• Realistic pressure scenarios

• 1:1 conversations to shape calmness before delivery

Each participant worked on how to pause, structure their message, and stay present while being watched and questioned by their managers.

How it was delivered

• A mix of online and in-person sessions

• Practice in short presentations

• Space to rehearse answering questions without rushing or over-explaining

• Individual sessions to prepare for their specific context and audience

What shifted
Over time, participants became more comfortable being seen while speaking.
They learned how to hold their ground when questions came in.
Confidence grew through repetition, not theory.

This showed up both online and offline, in how they prepared and how they responded in the room.