Speaking Up With Confidence and Presence – Even as a Non‑Native Speaker
Confidence is not something you add. It is something you access. Most senior healthcare professionals already have the experience, expertise, and authority they need. The challenge is not creating confidence, but removing the internal blocks that make it hard to reach under
pressure. Rather than trying to memorize scripts, override anxiety or push mental chatter away, this session explores a different approach: working with what is happening internally instead of against it.
Even native speakers can freeze or lose their train of thought under pressure, and presenting
in another language just adds an extra layer of stress and self-monitoring. If you have ever left a meeting feeling you did not sound like yourself, or spent hours replaying your mistakes in your head, this session offers a different way forward. Not by hacking the system or faking it, but by reconnecting with the confidence that is already there.
Learn 3 techniques to speak up with confidence and lead with presence. Louise Jefferies supports senior healthcare professionals who find that confidence drops in high-stakes meetings, especially in a non-native language. Originally trained as a therapeutic radiographer, she’s spent 25 years supporting scientists speak up in meetings in English. She helps clients quiet their mental chatter and reconnect with their natural authority so they can speak up with clarity and presence.
Format: Interactive presentation designed especially for introverts working and leading in English as a non-native language. Learn techniques to help you speak up with confidence without having to learn scripts or feel like you’re pretending to be someone you’re not.
No role plays, no pressure to perform, no memorizing scripts, just techniques to help bring more of your authentic self into your work.
Learning Objectives
- Techniques to quieten the negaive mental chatter before speaking in high-pressure situations
- Access confidence under pressure without faking it or forcing performance
- Learn to lead with presence by reconnecting with existing expertise
Agenda
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Arrival & Networking (Refreshments) |
6:00 PM - 6:15 PM | Introduction to the HBA |
6:15 PM - 7:45 PM | Main Presentation |
7:45 PM - 8:00 PM | Q&A |
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Networking |
Additional Event Information
- Snacks and beverages will be provided. The event will be in person and take place in English.
- Online registration deadline: 22 May 2026
- Event is open to: HBA Members and Non-members
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This event is refundable, requests must be submitted in writing to events@hbanet.org by 18 May 2026
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Onsite (walk -in) registration: Is Allowed
Onsite registration is not recommended. However, if you choose to do so, please arrive at least 15 minutes early and be prepared to use your
mobile device to register. Only credit card payments are accepted. Non-members are advised to create an HBA profile prior to arriving.
Pricing
| Regular Registration - In-person | €20.00 / $20.00 | €35.00 / $35.00 |
Members receive up to 50 percent discount
Event Policies
Photography Policy
By registering for this event, you acknowledge that you may be photographed, videotaped, and/or audio-taped during the meeting and hereby give permission for your image, voice, or survey comments to be used in education, training, promotion, and/or trade and communications media by the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association in any and all media throughout the world, without restriction as to frequency or duration of usage.
COVID-19 Policy
The HBA requires that all persons who participate in in-person events do so at their own risk and that each participant agrees to the following agreement before taking part in the activity and urges all participants to act in such a manner as to protect their own safety and the safety of others.
By registering for this event, I fully understand that my participation in the program is purely voluntary. I desire to participate and agree to act reasonably and prudently under the circumstances. I further understand that any HBA volunteers participating in the activity will act individually and will not represent the HBA. As a condition to my participation the activity, I waive and release the HBA and their officers, employees, and agents from any claim that I may have for any damage to property or injury to my person that may result in whole or in part from my participation.
Special Needs Policy
The HBA will make reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with special needs can enjoy all of its programs. Contact us if you require special accommodations for this event.