High-pressure environments demand clear communication. Yet the pressure to respond immediately can leave little room to understand what is being asked, clarify expectations, or communicate what the work requires.

When everything feels like an emergency, that pressure can shape how people interpret messages and respond to one another. The consequences can show up across a team: unnecessary stress, overpromising, competing priorities, and work carried out without a shared understanding.

In this interactive keynote, Candice Van Dertholen explores how our current state influences the way we receive, interpret, and communicate information. Through compelling stories and practical exercises, she guides participants in creating enough presence to clarify requests, assess capacity, and respond with intention.

Participants learn how to communicate their needs, seek support, and establish boundaries that support effective execution. Leaders also examine how their expectations and behavior influence team communication, workload, and the ability to speak up.

Participants will learn to:
- Recognize how pressure and assumptions influence their interpretation of communication.
- Use grounding and an anchor practice to create a deliberate pause before responding.
- Clarify requests, expectations, and priorities before committing to action.
- Communicate capacity and support needs in ways that strengthen coordination and accountability.

Designed for: Leaders and professionals working in demanding environments where communication directly affects the quality of work.

Central message: The quality of our work depends on our efficiency, but also our presence.

Central message: The quality of our work depends on our efficiency, but also our presence.