The Power of Persuasive Presentations in Social Care: Tanja Sheikhi’s Journey with Essentials

Social care is at the heart of every community. It shapes how we support our most vulnerable, how we care for our ageing population, and how we ensure dignity, kindness, and opportunity for those who need it most. Few people understand this better than Tanja Sheikhi, former Senior Membership and Operations Officer at the European Social Network (ESN).

ESN is a vital force in inspiring social service leaders across Europe, advocating for better policies, and empowering professionals to improve lives. As someone who regularly speaks to policymakers, leaders, and practitioners, Tanja knew that her presentations needed to be clear, engaging, and persuasive—not just to inform, but to inspire action. WATCH TANJA SPEAKING HERE

That’s what led her to Essentials, my online presentation training programme and personal coaching sessions.

How Coaching Transformed Tanja’s Presentations

Speaking effectively isn’t just about confidence—it’s about clarity, structure, and impact. Tanja found Essentials incredibly user-friendly, with clear sections that allowed her to focus on the skills she most wanted to improve.

"It was very easy to navigate. I could quickly identify the soft and hard techniques I needed to improve and learn different tips and tricks to implement in my daily work."

But beyond just accessing training materials, it was the personalised coaching that made the biggest impact.

"Melanie is great. Her feedback was direct and concrete. She immediately identified the areas I could improve, and the sessions were a lot of fun!"

Like many professionals, Tanja was already experienced in speaking to groups—but she hadn’t fully recognised the power of structured, intentional delivery. Through coaching, she had several “aha” moments that reshaped her approach to presentations.

"I feel much more confident. I’m not as nervous. I’ve developed my own style, where I can bring my own personal touch to my presentations."

Why Strong Presentation Skills Matter in Social Care

When we think about executive presentations, we often associate them with corporate boardrooms. But in social care, presentation skills are just as crucial. The way we communicate policies, research, and best practices directly impacts lives—it influences funding decisions, shapes public perception, and ensures that the most vulnerable in our societies get the support they deserve.

Tanja believes that better presentations can create real change:

"By presenting clearer messages, I believe my presentations—and the work of my colleagues at ESN—will encourage our members and other professionals to engage in our activities. Most of all, it will help improve Social Care in Europe."

This resonates deeply with me on a personal level.

Social Care: A Personal Connection

Last year, I witnessed firsthand the incredible impact of compassionate, high-quality social care. My 88-year-old father received outstanding support in the community in France and, later, in a hospice in England. The kindness, dignity, and respect he was shown in his final days were deeply moving—a testament to the extraordinary professionals working in this field.

At the same time, one of my daughters has chosen to dedicate her career to Children and Young Adults’ Mental Health. Her passion for supporting young people through some of their most challenging moments has reinforced my belief that social care is not just a profession—it’s a calling. It touches all of us, whether we realise it or not.

This is why the ability to communicate effectively in social care is so important. The more clearly and persuasively professionals like Tanja and her colleagues at ESN can convey their messages, the more impact they can have in driving real change across Europe.

What Makes a Good Speaker? Lessons from Essentials

Through coaching and the Essentials programme, Tanja discovered that great presentations aren’t about perfection—they’re about continuous improvement.

"I now understand that it’s a journey. I feel more aware, I present clearer messages, and I feel motivated to keep improving."

This mindset is key for any professional who wants to elevate their public speaking skills—whether they’re in social care, executive leadership, or advocacy.

A good speaker doesn’t just deliver information—they engage, inspire and leave a lasting impact. They understand:
✔️ How to structure their message for clarity and persuasion
✔️ How to manage nerves and build confidence
✔️ How to create their own authentic speaking style

Tanja’s journey is proof that with the right training, anyone can become a powerful, persuasive speaker—one who influences decisions, motivates teams and drives positive change.

Want to Improve Your Public Speaking? Start Today!

Whether you’re presenting to policymakers, industry leaders, or your own team, strong presentation skills can boost your confidence, credibility, and career opportunities.

Start your journey to confident, persuasive public speaking today by downloading my free eGuide:

📥 "Transform Your Public Speaking from Nervous to Confident: 10 Practical Presentation Techniques to Make a Bigger Impact in Every Talk (+ 5 Bonus Tips for Non-Native English Speakers)"

🔗 Download your free eGuide now  

With expert coaching, structured training, and the right techniques, you too can move from simply presenting to truly making an impact.