Have you ever wanted to feel more confident and at ease when speaking in public? You might be surprised to learn that even well-known actors and leaders, who seem to exude confidence, also experience feelings of nervousness and self-doubt - the only difference is they have learned how to conquer it.

In this refreshing, no-nonsense masterclass, Viv Groskop will introduce you to a new way of thinking about confidence, as detailed in her new book Happy High Status. She’ll teach you that far from being a skill awarded to the lucky few, confidence is primarily about how you relate to yourself and it is accessible to anyone.

Drawing on research, practical tips, and lessons from the worlds of comedy, film, politics and beyond, Viv will teach you how to feel authentically confident in any situation. She will explain how to handle nerve-wracking moments with ease and poise, and will equip you with effective strategies for minimising self-doubt.

This class is for anyone who wants to improve their confidence, presence and public speaking, whether in formal contexts, such as a job interview or work presentation, or simply whilst talking to friends or speaking on screen during a Zoom call.

Course content

Why confidence is not what you think it is
Our relationship with ‘status’ and how it enhances our presence
How to achieve a natural rapport with any audience
Easy tips and tricks for handling nerves
Q&A

Viv’s new book Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident will be published in hardback on 29 June 2023. If you are in the UK, you can purchase a book and ticket from the Guardian Bookshop for the special discounted price of £112.30 including P&P.

Tutor profile

Viv Groskop is an award-winning writer, broadcaster and comedian. As a comedian, she is the veteran of six years of sold-out one-woman shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and has hosted book tours for Graham Norton, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Jo Brand, Miriam Margoyles and Dan Levy. Her podcast How to Own the Room is in its 19th series with 2 million downloads, with guests like Hillary Clinton, Julie Andrews and Elizabeth Strout. She is the author of six books, including best-selling How to Own the Room and Lift As You Climb. Her latest book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident is out in June 2023.

Course Details

Date: Wednesday 28 June 2023
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm (BST)

This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.

6.30pm BST | 7.30pm CEST | 10.30am PDT | 1.30pm EDT

You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 30 minutes before the start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you do not receive the access link 24 hours before the scheduled start time.

We aim to make Guardian Masterclasses accessible to all. If you require any adjustments to enable your participation in this course, please get in touch with us at masterclasses@theguardian.com.

This event will be hosted on a third-party live streaming platform Zoom, please refer to their privacy policy and terms and conditions before purchasing a ticket to the class.

Once a purchase is complete we will not be able to refund you where you do not attend or if you cancel your event booking. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.

How to be a brilliant speaker: A masterclass with Viv Groskop