Finding your voice: a look back at the public speaking workshop led by Rodolphe Loctin
Recently, in the welcoming room of the Pierre Olivaint residence, a group of participants gathered to tackle a challenge as universal as it is daunting: public speaking. Organized by the International Club of Paris, this workshop was led by Rodolphe Loctin, a lawyer and coach specializing in oral communication.
Also among the participants was Veronika, a regular coach for the Club’s numerous workshops. Her participation reflects the dynamic and active collaboration among the facilitators, each contributing to the others’ approaches and enriching the educational ecosystem of the International Club of Paris.
For two hours, the Club members were able to learn, experiment, and, above all, overcome their fears in a supportive and motivating environment.
Through the transmission of specific techniques and practical exercises, this workshop allowed each participant to take a step further towards confidence, clarity of expression, and active listening. A look back at a powerful moment of personal and collective development.
The International Club of Paris, true to its mission of fostering intercultural exchange and personal development, conceived this meeting as a space for both learning and sharing. The goal: to demystify the act of speaking in front of an audience, whatever it may be – in a professional meeting, during a thesis defense, within an association, or simply for spontaneous conversation in social situations.
An inspiring coach: Rodolphe Loctin
The workshop is led by Rodolphe Loctin, a lawyer by training and an oral communication coach. A seasoned public speaker, adept at verbal sparring, he has successfully bridged the gap between his technical expertise and an accessible, engaging, and human approach.
From the very first minutes, Rodolphe sets a clear framework: here, there are no performance expectations, but rather a space to experiment, progress, and listen to one another. His style blends humor, kindness, and precision. The goal isn’t to recite a lesson, but to understand the mechanisms that allow each participant to feel more confident and comfortable speaking in public.
He begins the workshop with a shared reflection on the most common obstacles to public speaking: fear of judgment, memory lapses, lack of confidence, physical stress, and so on. He then offers a series of mental, physical, and breathing exercises, which participants are invited to try out live.
But what made this session particularly memorable was also the diversity of the group. Rodolphe Loctin shares his feelings with us:
“A few days ago, we celebrated Francophonie Day. Thanks to the international dimension of [the] association, this session was unique. I was very moved to see how French was presented by speakers of Syrian, Algerian, Moroccan, Italian, Russian, South American, or African origin. This diversity was an incredible asset.”
Time structured in three stages
The workshop content was designed in three successive stages to allow for a gradual increase in confidence.
- Mental, physical, and respiratory preparation: deep breathing, grounding, vocal warm-up, and centering. Simple techniques, applicable anywhere, before speaking.
- Transmission of practical tools: Rodolphe shares a five-step checklist summarizing the key elements not to be overlooked: posture, eye contact, voice, speech structure, and intention.
- Immediate application: each participant is invited to speak for two minutes on a topic of their choice, applying the advice shared.
Testimonial: Dena, a regular participant in personal development
Among the participants, Dena came with a clear motivation: to deepen work begun several years ago on self-confidence.
“For several years now, I’ve been interested in personal development, building self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as leadership. Public speaking is an important pillar of group communication. It also allows me to step outside my comfort zone and grow as a person.”
The workshop has experimental value for her. She particularly appreciates the moment when Rodolphe details the five key elements to prepare before each intervention:
“The part that struck me most during the workshop was the presentation of the five elements to perform before each speech. It made an impression on me because it allowed us to become aware of things we already knew subconsciously.”
But above all, a new awareness is emerging: that of the way the public is viewed, and what this view transforms in the interaction.
“Generally, I don’t usually look at my audience when I speak. But during this exercise, I dared to do it. I became aware of both the audience’s reaction and how I felt about that reaction. It was a new experience.”
Testimonial: Alain, workshop coordinator
Alain, president of the International Club of Paris, initiated this meeting. For him, it was about offering a useful and unifying space for experimentation.
“This workshop allowed each participant to overcome their inhibitions, gain confidence, and lay the foundations for a confident public speaking posture.”
A practice for all, a universal issue… and concrete results!
Public speaking isn’t just for those in public-facing professions. Whether you’re a student, employee, entrepreneur, volunteer, or simply an engaged citizen, speaking up is everywhere: in a meeting, a debate, an interview, or a social media video.
But this essential skill is rarely taught in a practical way. That’s why these workshops are so valuable, where you can experiment without fear, progress at your own pace, and feel supported by the group.
The International Club of Paris also offers other opportunities to practice public speaking in a creative setting, such as its French-English theater workshops, where improvisation plays a central role. The challenge? To express yourself fluently, in both French and English, depending on the scenes and interactions. These sessions, which combine physical expression, vocal work, and spontaneity, allow everyone to gain confidence while developing their language skills.
Conclusions
This public speaking workshop, organized by the International Club of Paris, was much more than a simple technical course: it was a moment of self-awareness, personal growth, and collective solidarity.
Thanks to the group’s energy, Rodolphe Loctin’s teaching methods, and the warm welcome of the Pierre Olivaint residence, everyone was able to progress on their own path, in an environment conducive to growth.
What if speaking out liberates more than we think? By daring to speak in front of an audience, we often discover a stronger, clearer, and more self-aware version of ourselves.
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