by One Playground
At One Playground, we believe training doesn’t stop with fitness. Just as we train our bodies to be stronger and more adaptable, we also train our minds and skills to connect, influence, and lead with impact. That’s why at our recent Internal Summit, we partnered with NIDA Corporate Training, the professional training arm of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), to run a 90-minute Personal Presence Bootcamp for our team.
NIDA is world-renowned for developing actors, directors, and creative leaders. But beyond the stage and screen, NIDA Corporate Training helps professionals from organisations like Salesforce, Adobe, and Apple master the art of communication, presence, and influence.
While our trainers learned these skills in a fitness context, the principles of personal presence are universal. The same techniques actors use to command a stage, or our trainers use to lead a class can help you nail a job interview, lead a team meeting, or even feel more confident in social situations. This isn’t just about professional development; it’s about personal empowerment.
5 Steps to More Confidence
The lessons from this bootcamp offer practical tools that you can apply in your daily life to communicate more effectively, build stronger connections, and carry yourself with greater confidence.
1. Presence Is Everything
The way we hold ourselves often speaks louder than words. Posture, gestures, and energy all signal confidence or doubt. Even small adjustments can help you feel grounded and project authority. For example, entering a room with calm energy or maintaining an open stance can immediately set the tone for how others engage with you.
2. Slow Down to Be Heard
Rushing through words can dilute your message. Pausing, taking a breath, and giving space for your ideas to land allows others to engage more fully. Whether it’s a quick team huddle or a client presentation, slowing down signals confidence and presence.
3. Mind Your Fillers
Words like “um” or “like” can subtly undermine your impact. By pausing instead of filling every silence, you project composure and clarity. Even brief, deliberate moments of silence give weight to your message and help you feel more in control.
4. Speak with Certainty
Tone matters as much as content. Ending statements with conviction, rather than as questions, reinforces competence and helps listeners trust your perspective. In a meeting or casual conversation, a confident tone communicates authority without needing to be overbearing.
5. Confidence Is Contagious
Confidence isn’t about perfection. It’s about staying present and leading with energy. A confident presence in a class, meeting, or social setting sets a positive tone that others naturally mirror.
The Takeaway
Presence isn’t just for trainers, actors, or business leaders; it’s a skill we all use every day. For us at One Playground, this was a session designed to equip our team with the skills to inspire, engage, and connect in every client interaction. Whether it’s coaching one-on-one, leading a high-energy class, or welcoming someone new to the gym, presence and communication shape the experience.
Whether you’re a student presenting in class, a lawyer making your case, or simply wanting to communicate with more confidence in daily life, the same tools apply. Small shifts in posture, tone, and intention can have immediate, transformative results. So, let this be your reminder: presence is power, and it’s something we can all practice inside and outside the gym.
