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About Commanding Presence

About Commanding Presence Training

For more than 25 years, Commanding Presence has been a premier provider of presentation and communication skills training, helping over 48,000 professionals, leaders, executives, and organizations in Canada strengthen how they communicate in all business situations and high-stakes environments. Our coach-led training focuses on practical communication and presentation performance, helping participants organize ideas clearly, communicate with confidence, navigate difficult conversations, and present more effectively under pressure.

Unlike generic presentation or public speaking courses, our workshops are highly interactive, coaching-based, and built around real workplace communication and presentation challenges. Participants actively practice, receive structured coaching feedback, and develop practical skills they can immediately apply in meetings, presentations, leadership discussions, negotiations, and other professional situations.

We work with both large and small organizations across corporate, government, academic, technical, and professional environments throughout Canada and the United States. Training is available in both English and French and delivered through small-group workshops, corporate team training, executive coaching engagements, and instructor-led virtual programs.

Our training supports professionals across a wide range of communication and leadership situations, including presentations, meetings, stakeholder discussions, negotiations, executive communication, and workplace conversations where clarity, credibility, and confidence matter.

Participants develop practical skills to:

Organize ideas more clearly and communicate more concisely
Improve executive presence and presentation effectiveness
Navigate difficult conversations and negotiations more effectively
Communicate with greater confidence under pressure
Strengthen audience engagement and leadership communication
Think on their feet and respond more effectively in real time

We offer a range of specialized communication and presentation training programs, including Presentation Skills Training, Communication Skills Training, Executive Communication Coaching, Negotiation Skills Training, Conflict Management Training, Public Speaking Workshops for Individuals, and Corporate Team & Group Training programs across Canada and the United States.

Why Do Organizations Choose Commanding Presence?

Hear from Workshop Coach Sylvie Pelletier on why organizations across Canada and the United States choose Commanding Presence as their trusted communication and presentation training partner.

How We Help Professionals Communicate With More Confidence and Impact

Hear from Lead Workshop Coach Peter Hiddema on how Commanding Presence helps professionals strengthen presentation skills, executive presence, speaking confidence, and communication effectiveness in business situations.

What Makes Our Training Unique?

Our Commanding Presence training is of tremendous value to professionals, whether you are in the early years of your career or already a successful speaker and leader.

Our Expert Communication Skills Coaches

Peter Hiddema, Lead Workshop Coach

Peter Hiddema is Commanding Presence’s Lead Workshop Coach. Peter 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.

Sylvie Pelletier, Workshop & Personal Coach

Sylvie Pelletier brings to Commanding Presence over 30 years of communications and leadership experience. She is an expert trainer, speaker, facilitator, and an accredited coach through the International Coaching Federation.

Starting with teaching Organizational Behaviour at McGill University, Sylvie’s career spans the corporate, non-profit, and advertising sectors. When at the advertising agency, she led national and international clients. Being a Communications Skills trainer, her work also covered presentation skills, effective listening, and impactful writing. She later moved into Financial Services, and then non-profit organizations, as a strategic communications expert and leadership 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.

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 more

Videos About Our Communication and Presentation 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 Commanding Presence training

Our Communication & Presentation Training Formats

Quick Preview of the FOCUS! Method

Commanding Presence's Approach to Learning

How Commanding Presence Helps Participants

Our Recent Clients

Commanding Presence Training Testimonials

A Transformative Workshop for Our Teams

“Commanding Presence delivered a transformative two-day workshop that significantly improved our sales team’s presentation skills and confidence. Their coaching approach works across all experience levels, making Commanding Presence a valuable investment for organizations seeking lasting communication improvement.”

Rosann Savidant

Marketing Manager

A Practical & Inspiring Experience

I can’t thank you enough for such a compelling learning experience. You certainly have a gift of understanding how to help people! Thank you for such a practical and inspiring experience. I refuse to let these learnings fade away!”

Sandy Nicholsan

Director of Finance

Honest, Practical, and Actionable

“I really enjoyed the workshop and am busy working on putting the learning into action. I enjoyed your honesty and candor in which you lead the workshop from which we all benefited.”

Brian Wyncoll

Senior Vice President Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Audit Services

Immediate Results and Lasting Impact

“I witnessed first hand the instant improvements of the speakers in our group. I was amazed by your ability to produce immediate results in some speakers. Thank you for this new awareness that will certainly assist me in all I do.”

Kim Ward, CPA

VP of Finance

You've Raised the Bar!

“I haven’t taken that much from a workshop in a long time! Thanks again – you’ve really helped us raise the bar at Wikimedia. Our people are well-equipped and fortunately, they’ll never be the same!”

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Jay Walsh

Senior Director, Communications

I Would Highly Recommend This Workshop

“I would recommend this program to anyone who is committed to improving their presentation skills.”

Rod Crawford

General Manager

Immediate Improvement To Our Teams

“After the Commanding Presence workshop, we started seeing results immediately – the team were able to apply the learnings the following day as they presented to executives, leading my Vice President to commend us on a palpable return on our investment in the course. We look forward to continuing to develop the practical skills in future workshops!”

Mary Leigh Burrowes

Operations Manager

You Need to Take This Course

“If you need to improve your public reading skills, your presentations and general confidence building areas in all aspects of your life, you need to take this course.”

Mark Foon

Director, IT- Digital Health and Wellness

This Workshop Really Works!

“The content and format of this workshop really works. It allows you to absorb the material, effectively practice the methods, and learn to improve through watching yourself and others. I also benefitted from listening to other participants speak of their issues with presenting and watching them develop better skills. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone looking to become a more well-prepared and confident speaker.”

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Amanda De Mello

Director, User Experience and Product Design

Excellent Coaching and Meaningful Growth

“I really enjoyed the workshop, it was a great experience for me. I learned many things and now I know that I have a lot of room for improvement. Thanks very much for your excellent direction and assistance; you are a great coach indeed.”

Patricia Pacanchique

Director, Pension Policy and Strategic Initiatives

Transformational Leadership and Coaching

“Peter, I really appreciated your excellent leadership and facilitation of the Commanding Presence workshop. You managed to put us at ease and keep us engaged and present throughout both days, teaching by example, challenging us, and helping us to learn from each other as well. It was a transformational learning experience for me. My sincere thanks.”

Michele McIntosh

OMERS

Powerful Concepts With Immediate Impact

“Thank you very much for the workshop, I really enjoyed it! Definitely I have to work hard on my weaknesses but I came back with very good concepts which I can put in practice.”

Cynthia Garcia Diaz

Senior Financial Consultant

Significant Improvement In My Presentation Skills

” I had a great time in the course, and I really loved the friendly environment! The course felt tailored rather than generic. I want to thank both you and Sylvie for your thoughtful and constructive feedback on my presentations! It helped me a lot. I noticed a significant improvement in my presentation skills after the course, and overall, I feel much more confident 😊”

Glaucia Nicodemos

Senior Manager, Financial Systems

Extremely Useful Workshop!

“Your 2-day workshop was extremely useful and I’ve been applying the techniques and exercises learned since then.”

Marcelo Gomez-Wiuckstern

Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs

A Very Safe Space to Develop Skills

“It was a very safe space to test and develop your skills; the trainer, Peter, did a great job.”

Denise Green

Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion

Profound Change. Highly Recommended

“These skills have improved my confidence and poise. It is no exaggeration to say that the effects of this experience have been profound for me. I highly recommend the program.”

R. Mecredy-Williams

CIBC Wood Gundy

Transformational Growth in Communication

“I really enjoyed the course and the opportunity to work with you. I am excited about how using your techniques will help me transform into a more well-rounded and “in the moment” speaker.”

Carly Grossman

Loyalty One

Incredible Improvement in Our Sr. Management Teams

“Commanding Presence has been able to deliver an incredible improvement in the presentations of our senior management team — and improve their comfort level. I’d offer an unconditional recommendation in this program.”

Stephen Johnson

President & Chief Executive Officer

Worth the Time and Immediately Valuable

“This workshop was well worth the time away from the office and very valuable. I came back with much more confidence and have already been implementing what I’ve learned. I will be recommending this!”

Mary Annibale

Information Technology Department

I Wish I Had Done It Earlier

“Two very well invested days…I certainly wished I had done this earlier. Thank you.”

Ghislaine Doufle

University of Toronto

Immediately Improvement From Just Two Days

“After the Commanding Presence workshop, I had a two-day professional development course I needed to lead. The improvement in my speaking was noticed by the professionals in my course with many of them commenting on what an amazing teacher I was.”

Michelle Brown

Director of Finance

I Would Highly Recommend Commanding Presence

“I would highly recommend the Commanding Presence workshop. Peter Hiddema is an amazing trainer / presenter. He is truly charismatic. His presentation style is easy to listen to and learn from and he offered a great mix of Powerpoint, video and practical elements throughout the two do workshop. It was an absolute delight to have such a rewarding experience. “

Jennifer Wall

Director of Finance

“It was amazing to see the improvement in every participant’s presentation skills in only two days. Great course!”

Kevin Little

VP of Finance

“Peter was great facilitator. I enjoyed the course, both the materials and exercises that we did. I’ll use what I learned for my entire career.”

Jason Han

Information Security Analyst

It Was A Wonderful Experience For The Whole Group

“I want to express how much I enjoyed the workshop. In only 2 days I genuinely feel like the skills you discussed will make a significant difference on my presentations going forward and I can’t thank you enough. Not only we’re the discussions informative, but you have a great way of blending the practicality with humor and light-hearted conversations. I think I speak for the full group when I say it was a wonderful experience.”

Paul McLean

Client Integration Lead

Great Course!

“Great course! Practical and useful for your everyday presentations and meetings.”

Veronica Hernandez

Strategy & Insights Manager, Customer Centre of Excellence

Most Effective Course I Have Ever Taken

“Excellent communication course offered by Commanding Presence. The class sizes are small, which allows the instructor to focus on every attendee. Probably the most effective course that I have taken ever.”

Navtej Sanghera

RBC

The Course Was Phemonenal!

“Just took the 2-day Advanced Communication and Presence course, and it was phenomenal! Sylvie the instructor kept it lively, informative and fun! Definitely well worth it for those that could use some self improvement in those areas.”

David Scacchi

Technical Solutions Manager

I Highly Recommend The Virtual Workshop

“The Interactive Virtual Workshop through Commanding Presence was a pleasure to attend. I found great value in the course and content discussed. The material was very relevant to a new, virtual workspace. It prepares you to pivot your practices to best perform during this time. I highly recommend this course, and would consider retaking in the future in person when offered.”

Jessica Stewart, EIT, CEM

Operations Manager

Improve Your Public Speaking Skills and Build Confidence

“If you’re looking to improve your personal presentation or public speaking skills and build your confidence doing so, the Commanding Presence Interactive Virtual Workshop will help you do just that. The small group setting is ideal when it comes to practicing your newly learned skills in a ‘real world’ environment. Would recommend!”

Willeson Metals

Felix Lee, B.Sc., MBA, P.Geo.

President and CEO

Easily One of the Best Investments I've Made

“I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Commanding Presence seminar with Peter Hiddema, but what I learned was far greater than expected. Peter teaches how to let your true self shine through and how small adjustments can create greater authenticity and impact. I also realized that many people share the same fears around presenting, something best discovered in a group setting. Easily one of the best investments I’ve made in myself in a long time.”

Jennifer Sarsfield

Director, Communications

Commanding Presence Exceeds Expectations

“Sincere thanks to Peter and Michael for their brilliant work with our BDMs last week. The workshop exceeded our expectations and I’ve already heard from members of the group who have expressed their thanks for the opportunity last week – further validation that the program was impactful. I so appreciate all of your effort in adapting the program to align with Fidelity’s style and criteria.”

Michelle Cooper

Sales Learning & Development Manager

The Workshop Was Very Helpful

“I’m glad I attended and thought the program was very helpful overall. Special thank you to Michael for being an excellent facilitator.”

Doane Grant Thornton LLP

Justin Yeung

Senior Manager, Tax

One of the Best Trainings I've Ever Had

“Peter is a brilliant facilitator. One of the best trainings I had so far.”

Lorenzo Orsi P.Eng., MEng, MScM

Director, Rail Control Systems

The Two-Day Workshop Was Great!

“Thank you, Sylvie, for the great two-day session. Will be recommending your program in the future. Lots of learning, takeaways and areas of improvement.”

Jordan Hill

Vice President

The Workshop Was Extremely Helpful

“The workshop with Peter was incredibly insightful, and having these resources will be extremely helpful as I continue to build on what I learned.”

Jahangir Bhatti

Principal, Climate Tech Fund