Case Study: Building Confidence – Presentation Skills Training for AEC Professionals

From Jobsite to Spotlight: Helping AEC Leasers Present with Confidence

The Challenge A regional construction management firm wanted to empower their staff with the skills to confidently participate in interviews and project presentations. As is often the case with construction firms, many of their team members spend years on a single job site—meaning they don’t get frequent exposure to presentations. This lack of opportunity created discomfort and hesitation, even among the most capable professionals, when it came time to represent their work in front of clients.

Our Approach Dragonfly facilitated a tailored training program designed to demystify the interview process and build comfort with real-world presentation scenarios. Through a blend of instruction, group exercises, and peer feedback, the program focused on:

• Creating compelling and authentic project narratives

• Practicing delivery techniques such as eye contact, pacing, posture, and tone

• Strategies for handling Q&A with confidence and professionalism

• Real-time role-play to simulate interviews and client presentations

Participants worked in small and large groups, with hands-on coaching to refine both verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Rather than rely on scripts, the focus was on helping individuals find their voice and speak naturally about the work they know so well.

The Results These hands-on exercises helped participants:

• Build the confidence to speak up in interviews and internal meetings

• Clearly communicate their role and contributions to past projects

• Strengthen their ability to think on their feet during panel-style Q&A

• Receive positive feedback from leadership and peers, boosting morale and visibility

Since the training, the firm has reported improved team engagement in project interviews and increased comfort levels among field staff presenting in front of clients. Several team members have since gone on to lead interview segments... something they previously avoided.