Benedetta Finds Her
Voice Under Pressure
Benedetta is vivacious, open, and definitely not shy. But in high-pressure situations, especially when power dynamics are at play, she would either freeze up, or (worse, in her opinion) talk way too much.
We needed to address her fear of “not being enough” and help her find the confidence to bring her whole self into the room when talking to a superior.
*Photo is a stock image. Story is real.
Phase 1: Discovery
It was immediately clear Benedetta had a deep self-awareness, and was more than comfortable being the center of attention in the room.
With friends and co-workers, she was as authentic as it gets.
But past experiences had trained her to doubt her voice under scrutiny.
We created a simulation journey that helped her integrate emotional depth in her professional presence, practice staying grounded under pressure, and rebuild trust in her ability to speak with authority, when dealing with authority.
The Simulation Journey
Our simulations were all connected to each other creating an entire narrative arc. Each simulation got progressively harder and pushed Benedetta further.
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Benedetta faces Dana, a colleague seeking a referral who invites her to describe herself confidently in the third person.
Dana pushes Benedetta to confront her imposter syndrome and prove her worth in a high-pressure scenario.
Benedetta's challenge: Overcome self-doubt and shift from a place of insecurity to one of assertiveness, and advocate for her strengths and contributions without feeling self-conscious or undeserving.
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Benedetta faces Michael, an influential figure in her field, during a pressure-filled pitch for a personal project in the fashion industry.
Michael plays devil's advocate, testing Benedetta’s conviction and authority with tough questions and skepticism.
Benedetta's challenge: Maintain her composure, assert her vision with confidence, and overcome the temptation to over-explain or seek validation.
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Luca, a senior creative director, challenges Benedetta in a one-on-one meeting where she must defend a new design concept she’s presenting.
He dismisses her vision, saying it’s too bold for the brand and questioning her creative direction.
Benedetta's challenge: Assert her creative choices firmly, balancing passion with professionalism. She must confront her fears of being “too much” and bring her full self into the conversation to defend her vision while pushing back against industry expectations to conform.
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Elena, a high-maintenance client, insists on changes to a fashion collection that would compromise Benedetta’s artistic vision.
Elena’s demands are contradictory and unrealistic, putting Benedetta in a high-pressure situation where her credibility as a designer is on the line.
Benedetta's challenge: Own her authority, manage her boundaries, and trust her instincts while negotiating an important business relationship.
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Marco, a young designer in Benedetta’s team, seeks her feedback on a design that he’s poured his heart into. However, he’s defensive and highly sensitive to critique.
His emotional reaction makes it challenging for Benedetta to deliver honest feedback without hurting him or damaging their relationship.
Benedetta's challenge: Communicate with sensitivity and confront the discomfort of providing tough feedback while avoiding the temptation to soften her critique in order to avoid conflict.
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Michael returns as Benedetta prepares for a pivotal pitch to a major fashion influencer who has the power to elevate her career.
Michael pushes Benedetta’s ability to communicate her value clearly and with authority, questioning whether her confidence can truly hold up under pressure.
Benedetta's challenge: To demonstrate her growth and leadership by asserting her vision and expertise against tough questioning, and to confidently communicate her worth.
Benedetta was paired with our coach Julia. Over three 1:1 sessions, they worked together closely, watching the simulations, and co-creating a plan.
It was clear Benedetta’s breakthroughs came when she allowed her emotion, storytelling, and dynamic physical presence to guide her.
In order to allow her natural magnetism to be free in all moments, they focused on grounding techniques, sitting in silence without rushing to fill it, and how to stop overthinking in real time.
Benedetta discovered what it meant to stay present even when she wasn’t polished, to reconnect with her counterpart in moments of conflict rather than pull away, and to own her achievements.
The Coaching
The Results
In her Boom Room experience, Benedetta described her journey as a “totally immersive experience” and rated it’s impact a 10/10.
She’s noticed meaningful shifts in how she shows up in real life, particularly in being more relaxed and listening more.
She described the experience as a way of accepting her fluid nature instead of trying to repress it and said she would “definitely” be interested in continuing the program. We asked how she’d describe The Boom Room to a friend, and she said: “Just do it!”