Public Speaking Workshop: Hands-on Training for Professionals

### Overview

Stop just talking about soft skills and start doing them! This fun, activity-based workshop focuses on practical skills for assertive communication, active listening, negotiation, and navigating the social landscape of the modern workplace. Ideal for engineers, product managers, and other tech professionals.

### Details

Join a lively, hands-on communication workshop designed for software engineers, product managers, and other tech professionals who want to build real-time communication fluency and confidence in a low-pressure setting.

### What this event is

This is a peer-to-peer, activity-based learning night where you won't just hear about best practices—you will immediately practice them in a variety of fast-paced games and guided role-playing scenarios. The focus is on building confidence, developing muscle memory for tough conversations, and supporting each other as a community while having a good time.

### How it works

You will participate in a rotating series of structured, interactive activities focused on key workplace communication challenges. You will work in pairs and small groups, taking turns as the 'communicator' and the 'listener/feedback giver' in short, focused rounds.
We will be playing games and running scenarios to practice:

• Assertive Communication: Expressing ideas clearly and standing up for yourself without being aggressive.
• Active Listening: Understanding and responding effectively to a colleague's needs or concerns.
• Negotiation & Compromise: Finding mutually beneficial solutions in decision-making and project debates.
• Workplace Navigation: Handling office politics, giving constructive feedback, and advocating for your team/ideas.

After each activity, you and your partners will give each other specific, actionable feedback to help refine your technique, clarity, and overall presence.

### Who should attend

This workshop is ideal for:

• Engineers and Technical Experts who want to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling workplace communication.
• Product Managers and Tech Leads needing to improve negotiation and difficult conversation skills.
• Professionals feeling out of practice or intimidated by presenting, advocating, or workplace dynamics.

All experience levels are welcome; the only requirement is a willingness to practice, give feedback, and treat others with respect. This is a workshop for developing skills, not a lecture.

### About the facilitator (Nico Cernek)

The session will be facilitated by Nico Cernek, a seasoned Tech Lead and Manager who has successfully led high-performing engineering teams. Nico’s experience is rooted in understanding how to move projects forward and secure resources by effectively navigating the political and social realities of a large organization. Nico will share proven strategies for managing challenging stakeholders, advocating for team needs, and using strategic communication to drive professional and organizational success.

### Vibe and expectations

Expect a highly interactive, lighthearted, and encouraging atmosphere where making mistakes is the best way to learn and feedback is always constructive. The goal is to walk away with more confidence, a toolkit of practical communication strategies, and the muscle memory to use them when it counts—while meeting other local tech folks working to enhance their soft skills.