Meet with Others: tools for speech
In a world increasingly dominated by digital communication and remote work, the ability to connect with others and speak confidently has become more challenging yet more valuable than ever. At Devoxx France 2023, Alex Casanova delivered an engaging workshop on overcoming the barriers to effective communication and public speaking, drawing from her extensive experience as an actress, trainer, and sophrologist.
The Importance of Human Connection
Alex began her presentation with an interactive exercise, asking the audience to identify what prevents people from speaking in public. The responses came quickly: shyness, lack of confidence, fear of judgment, feeling illegitimate, and the intimidation of speaking after someone more articulate has already spoken. She then asked what would help overcome these barriers: confidence, feeling safe, stress management, feedback, a supportive atmosphere, and practice.
“The development of digital technology, artificial intelligence, and social distancing following lockdowns has had an impact on human beings and our self-confidence,” Alex explained. “It increases fear—fear of going out, fear of approaching others, fear of not knowing what to say—because the professional world is demanding and always asks for more: more ideas, more spontaneity, more innovation.”
As a professional actress, trainer, and sophrologist, Alex shared that she too has experienced impostor syndrome and naturally tends toward introversion. Her life path consciously or unconsciously led her to theater, which provided tools to express herself better, feel comfortable in front of an audience, and create a space where she could be fully herself.
Understanding Communication Types
Alex outlined three types of communication we encounter:
- Interpersonal communication – Between two people, involving an emitter and a receiver
- Group communication – One person addressing a group, such as in presentations or conferences
- Mass communication – Multiple sources addressing large audiences through various channels
The workshop focused primarily on the first two types, which are most relevant to professional settings.
The Hero’s Journey to Better Communication
Alex framed the workshop as a hero’s journey where participants would face and overcome four challenges that prevent effective communication:
Challenge 1: Breaking Mental and Physical Isolation
The first monster to defeat is the fear of leaving our comfort zone. Alex guided the audience through a sophrological relaxation exercise focusing on:
- Posture awareness and alignment
- Square breathing technique (inhale, hold, exhale, hold)
- Visualization of a safe, comforting place
- Recalling a memory of personal excellence and confidence
This simple but powerful tool helps create grounding, calm, strengthen personal resources, gain perspective on emotions, and bring focus to the present moment.
Challenge 2: Public Speaking and Self-Confidence
The second challenge involves overcoming stage fright, anxiety, and various fears:
- Fear of not being understood
- Fear of being judged
- Fear of not being good enough
- Fear of losing composure
Alex demonstrated the “Victory V” posture—standing tall with arms raised in a V shape—based on Amy Cuddy’s research on body language and its influence on mental state. Maintaining this posture for 30 seconds releases hormones that boost confidence and create an optimistic, open mindset.
“Body language truly puts you in an attitude of openness,” Alex explained, contrasting it with closed postures associated with fear or sadness. She shared a personal anecdote of using this technique at a networking event where she felt out of place, which led to the event organizer approaching her and introducing her to others.
Challenge 3: Team Relationships and Quick Thinking
The third challenge addresses conflict avoidance, difficulty collaborating, lack of self-confidence, fear of not knowing what to say, viewing others as enemies, and fear of rejection.
Alex led the audience through a word association exercise:
- First individually, thinking of a word and making associations (e.g., bottle → alcohol → cocktail → vacation)
- Then collectively, with audience members building on each other’s associations
This simple activity immediately created engagement, spontaneity, and connection among strangers, demonstrating the philosophy of improvisation.
“Improv puts you in a state of play, exchange, meeting, letting go, and self-confidence,” Alex explained. She has used improvisation tools to help anesthesiologists improve their listening skills, multitasking abilities, and patient interaction, as well as with high-ranking military personnel who needed to develop active listening to communicate with civilians.
Challenge 4: Creativity and Innovation
The final challenge involves overcoming:
- Fear of failure
- Fear of not measuring up
- Fear of leaving one’s comfort zone
- Fear of not being original
As an exercise, Alex asked participants to list five positive adjectives about themselves, including one starting with the first letter of their name, and then say them aloud together.
This tool helps transform limiting beliefs into motivating ones, shifting from a closed to an open state, from procrastination to action.
The Virtuous Circle
Alex concluded by presenting the virtuous circle that replaces the vicious circle of self-doubt:
- I live, therefore I exist – Recognizing your inherent right to exist and take up space
- I recognize my qualities and experiences – Building on small successes
- I welcome errors as opportunities to learn – Seeing challenges as feedback rather than failure
- I reach my goals at my own pace – Bringing compassion and kindness to yourself
“It’s really up to you to be your best ally,” Alex emphasized.
Applying These Tools
Alex’s approach combines inspiration and action—balancing periods of calm, introspection, and theory with practice, simulation, and implementation. Her multidisciplinary background allows her to use theatrical improvisation, psychology, sophrology, and coaching to adapt to individual and corporate needs.
Her ultimate goal is to help people develop greater self-confidence and what psychologist Carl Rogers calls “congruence”—alignment and coherence between our thoughts, feelings, words, and actions. This authenticity creates empathy and acceptance of ourselves and others.
About Alex Casanova
Alex Casanova is an actress, trainer, and sophrologist who specializes in helping individuals develop confidence through experiential learning. Her multidisciplinary approach combines the performing arts, psychology, and therapeutic techniques to create personalized development pathways for both individuals and organizations.
Through her work, she aims to bring more humanity, respect, and tolerance into corporate environments by focusing on authentic communication and personal growth. Her “INSPIR’ACTION” methodology balances introspection with practical application to create sustainable behavioral change.