Essential Presentation Skills for Government

In government roles, you’re often expected to present to staff, stakeholders, communities and partners, both face-to-face and online. Some presentations are informational, others inspirational, but all of them need to be engaging and purposeful.

This workshop is designed to help you feel confident in your presentation techniques and comfortable with the technology, timing and flow of great presentations. You’ll learn how to make your message memorable and motivate people to act, without feeling like you’re performing on a stage.

What You’ll Learn

Why presenting looks different in 2025

• How the presentation landscape has changed

• Shifting expectations of audiences and participants

What makes a confident presenter

• Building presence without pretending to be someone you’re not

• Creating engagement before people even arrive

The Elements of Presenting

Message and Materials

• Structure and pacing

• Speaking to the camera or presenting with no slides at all

• Presenting data and financial information clearly

• Using visual approaches that support your message

Delivery and Management

• Body language and hand gestures

• Voice control and facial expression

• Managing participation and keeping momentum

• Generating the questions you want to answer

• Handling tricky or unexpected questions

• Managing the five “fire alarm” moments

• Understanding the nuances of online presentations

Continuing the Conversation

• Follow-up and supporting materials

• Managing webinars and recordings

• Evaluating your own performance and ongoing development

Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, you will have:

• A strong understanding of how to manage the dynamics of engaging presentations

• Practical tips to build engagement into your message and materials

• Clear principles to maximise your time and your audience’s attention

• Guidance on communicating before, during and after your presentation

• Increased confidence through skill development and practice

• A practical framework to evaluate and improve future presentations

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is ideal for:

• Managers and leaders in government communications roles

• Government officers new to presenting

• Policy or administrative officers responsible for communicating programs or projects without formal presentation training

• Government officers looking to sharpen their presentation skills in a changed work environment

Benefits to You and Your Organisation

Your confidence will grow and your presentations will become more engaging for both you and your audience. Your team will learn the principles of effective presentation, helping future communications reflect positively on your department, agency or project team, and ensuring your message cuts through and sticks.

Clear, confident presenters make life easier for everyone. And yes, meetings might even become more enjoyable.