I work with communication, speaking, and the human voice: how we use it, why so many people struggle with it, and what becomes possible when it’s understood as a skill rather than a talent.

With a background in psychology, NLP, and coaching, and over 30 years of working closely with individuals, teams, and leaders – in education, organisations, and on stage – I’ve spent much of my professional life listening to how people speak, what they avoid saying, and where confidence disappears.

Today, my focus sits at the intersection of communication, performance, and education. I’m interested in how the fear of speaking develops, why communication skills are so rarely taught, and how this affects confidence and the ability to navigate change in a fast and increasingly automated world.

This work lives within The Human Voice Project. It’s an ongoing exploration of voice, meaning, and expression in contemporary life and includes both inquiry and practice: writing, conversation, research, and work that helps people develop confidence in speaking and using their voice.

I believe how we speak shapes how we think, how we connect, and how we move through the world.
When people hold back, the world doesn’t just lose words, it loses ideas, perspective, and possibility.

This work is an invitation to bring more voices into the conversation.

Kirsten de Bouter Shillam