Alexis Desjeux
Speaker and facilitator in Personal Development: human relationships with assertiveness
Speaker and facilitator: humanity at the core, emotion shared to encourage action A room. Eyes waiting. And that silence before the first word. It is in those moments that I know why I do this job. I have made my passion for humanity the beating heart of my professional approach. Not a slogan. A compass. When I step on stage, I do not come to deliver content. I come to create a meeting. Building bridges where others build platforms Speaker and facilitator. The word is short, the profession vast. What distinguishes me? This ability to weave connections between worlds that seem foreign: entertainment and personal development, emotion and reflection, genuine laughter and awareness. Where some choose, I connect. My deep conviction, the one that has never left me: human relationships are the fertile ground for all growth. Personal. Collective. Without this ground, nothing grows. With it, everything becomes possible. So I have shaped, conference after conference, an approach that is uniquely mine. Assertiveness is combined with kindness — saying things without hurting, listening without fading away. The playful dimension becomes a vector of learning — we remember better what we have experienced with a smile. And the artistic serves as a setting for profound messages — because a well-dressed truth transcends the years. My playful and participatory conferences are not presentations. They are experiences. Each participant leaves with something extra. A question asked. A desire to dare. A permission granted. The audience's engagement is never left to chance: it is orchestrated, measure after measure, so that these suspended moments arise where something shifts inside. My mission: to inspire to transform Beyond performance, I pursue a clear mission. To convey messages that resonate. That endure. That transform. Each intervention is conceived as a seed. Planted in the minds of the participants. Intended to germinate long after the lights have gone out and the room has emptied. When a colleague, six months later, dares to say no where they would have said yes. When a team, on a Monday morning, finds the right formula to navigate a disagreement. There, I know the seed has taken root. This desire to leave a positive imprint translates concretely. A meticulous preparation — I never deliver a "shelf" conference. An attentive listening to your needs — your culture, your challenges, the moment your team is going through. And this agility to adapt my approach while remaining true to my core values. Hiring me is not just ticking the box of an event service provider. It is to offer oneself an engaged partner who puts their talent at the service of your message, your team, and your success. My soft skills: what I am before what I do Assertiveness, first. In all circumstances, I try to have an assertive behavior. To express my ideas with conviction. To remain attentive to others. To hold both ends, without letting go of either. Oral ease, next. It is one of my major assets. To communicate clearly, justly, vividly — regardless of the professional context. Creativity is at the heart of my approach. I love finding innovative solutions to the challenges that arise. To take a step aside. To see differently. My agility allows me to adapt quickly to changes, new circumstances, and the unforeseen of live situations — while remaining organized in my tasks and priorities. Improvisation is prepared, as we know. Emotional intelligence, I have been working on for a long time. More than fifteen years of yoga. Recognizing my own emotions, welcoming them, taming them. Understanding those of others, naming them sometimes, always respecting them. Naturally optimistic, I approach difficulties as opportunities for learning and growth. I appreciate the virtues of failure in the spirit of Charles Pépin, this contemporary philosopher who reminds us that falling is learning to get back up. Courtesy and empathy guide my professional relationships. Understanding the other’s perspective. Creating a positive environment. Obvious truths too often forgotten. My team spirit drives me to value everyone's contributions. The diversity of viewpoints is a wealth — not a compromise, not a concession. A true wealth that enhances the quality of collective work. And then, I admit without hesitation: I am 100% xenophile. “Our diversity is not a threat, it is our most precious strength.” Kofi Annan (Nobel Peace Prize)
Prices
- Conference : 4000 €
- Animation : 3000 €
Localization
Languages
My conferences
host - presenter
Do you want to make your event a memorable moment that each participant will leave enriched? As the ringmaster or master of ceremonies, I adapt nimbly to the specific constraints of your projects while creating a dynamic atmosphere that brings your collaborators together. With a playful touch and humor (if that suits you?). My expertise as a host - presenter allows me to highlight your company's values with elegance and efficiency. Between a man of shadow and light, I want to foster interaction among individuals and give meaning to our lives. Inspired by the song "the bridge" (Sting). Serenity and strategic focus As a leader, you will be able to fully concentrate on your strategic objectives and key interactions, without worrying about logistical aspects or the flow of the event. Enhanced professional image My presence adds a touch of professionalism that strengthens your company's image, ensuring consistency in your brand's communication throughout the event. Increased dynamism and engagement Thanks to my expertise in hosting, your event will gain rhythm and energy, stimulating active participation from your collaborators and maintaining their attention from start to finish. Facilitation of exchanges As an experienced intermediary, I facilitate discussions, debates, and Q&A sessions, creating an environment conducive to constructive exchanges.
Playful conference to promote assertiveness: participatory and inspiring
In your daily exchanges, are you tired of beating around the bush, of enduring, do you hesitate to say no, or do you get angry? These relationships with your loved ones (colleagues, managers, executives...) drain you instead of nourishing you. In my playful conference to promote human relationships in daily life, I invite the audience to question themselves: why do I engage with others? How can I behave in a way that integrates my expectations and respects the other in their difference (we talk about assertiveness). My goal (1 to 1.5 hours flexible): to gain perspective on one's relationship with others and to have keys to understanding to question the WHY? Give MEANING to your human relationships to gain CONFIDENCE in yourself: create bridges between individuals and give meaning to our lives! My PLAYFUL conference is not a "management toolbox", but rather an "INSPIRING PARTICIPATORY CONFERENCE" to promote well-being at work and in daily life. It is a way to gain perspective to build CONFIDENCE in oneself. The topics of the conference: a mix between awareness of the system in which we live (perspective of 3 sociologists: Edward Shorter, Dominique Desjeux, and Rosa Hartmut) and a philosophical opening on another possible approach inspired by Lao Tseu, Zeno of Citium, Isabelle Filliozat, Miguel Ruiz, and the MAGIC of PLAY (Eugène Ionesco, Sting, Thomas Fersen, Mickael Chevalier). The benefit for participants: You leave with this awareness: another path exists based on CONFIDENCE in yourself and a better understanding of others. For peaceful relationships, even in disagreement, far from the aggressiveness that our system of always wanting more cultivates. I would be happy to discuss this week or next week about our common synergy. Bring your projects to life: let's exchange for 15 minutes appointment: https://calendly.com/alexis-desjeux-creations In my conference on the meaning of the other, I invite participants on an introspective and collective journey. I am just a humble guide, leading each one towards personal reflection without ever imposing or ordering the path of ideas. My approach is an invitation to explore the art of listening to oneself, inner harmony, and confidence. I propose a journey where the meaning of the other is at the heart of our reflection, while cultivating our ability to express our ideas, needs, emotions, and rights clearly, directly, and respectfully. This philosophy, which some great thinkers call assertiveness, is for me an essential compass to celebrate the delicate dance of human relationships. I present it as a means to navigate our interactions, taking into account not only our own needs and emotions but also those of others. How to demonstrate assertive communication? I address the cross-view of 3 sociologists Edward Shorter and his approach to the modern family in the 19th century. Dominique Desjeux, socio-anthropologist, explains that our life is governed by social, material, or symbolic norms and constraints. Rosa Artmut, a German philosopher and sociologist, enlightens us on the acceleration of our society. Once this observation is made, I provide keys for everyone to find their path around ikigai, the words of the wise Lao Tseu who invites us to take distance with the gaze of the other, the wisdom of the Stoic Zeno of Citium who recommends acting on what we master and leaving the rest aside. The good words of Isabelle Filliozat who encourage us to listen to our emotions to facilitate our relationship with others. The shamanic magic of Miguel Ruiz, author of the Toltec agreements, to find the right words to express what we feel with kindness. The wise words of Charles Pépin, a contemporary philosopher, who explains that failure is not in vain, it can lead us to future success. https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/communication-assertive All these elements provide keys for more peaceful communication at work and at home, with your loved ones. Finally, if that interests you! What distinguishes me as a speaker is the playful and offbeat side that brings the audience to experience the event to create the most authentic connection possible on the day. https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/conférencier - YouTube channel testimonials and teaser: https://www.youtube.com/@alexisdesjeux
Learn more
Who am I?
What I did before becoming a speaker
I am and remain an outsourced DirCom. I founded my communication agency, Desjeux Créations, in 2006. I have always evolved in this universe: over 30 years of experience serving brands and companies, building strategies, speeches, and events that make sense.
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/de-la-marque-%C3%A0-la-sc%C3%A8ne-30-ans-d-exp%C3%A9rience-au-service-de-vos-%C3%A9v%C3%A9nements
What made me become a speaker
The feeling, for too long, that our world is upside down. Our politicians, from all sides, pit us against each other. COVID was a trigger: it allowed me to lay new foundations. At the same time, Sting's song and his album The Bridge planted a seed in me: to create bridges between individuals to give meaning to our lives. Little by little, I wanted to share this conviction on stage. I applied to the Pépite program of the AFCP in February 2025, then I was selected for Elevate 2026. The speaker was on his way.
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/oui-je-suis-utopiste-l-assertivit%C3%A9-comme-chemin-d-%C3%A9quilibre-entre-soi-et-l-autre
A failure or turning point that shaped me
Pépite, AFCP, February 2026. I go all in. 3 days of immersion. Test conference in front of my peers, then audition in front of a jury of industry experts. That evening, the email: not selected. At that moment, it stings. Really. Because it's not just a "no" — it's a "no" from those you admire. Then I reread. And I understand that they are not rejecting the man. They are rejecting a version of a project that is not yet fully developed, one they believe in. Huge nuance. I came out of it with one certainty: I am on the right path, but I have some sorting to do. Choosing my targets. Simplifying my message. Staying the course. The real turning point is not the failure. It's what we make of it in the 72 hours that follow.
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/pourquoi-devenir-conf%C3%A9rencier-professionnel
What excites me about working as a speaker
The encounter. The sharing. The magic of direct human exchange. Seeing an audience enter into questioning, laugh, reflect, leave with a little seed. And then the writing of a conference, its preparation, its rehearsal: a craftsman's work that mobilizes everything I love — strategy, words, play, emotion.
The mission I'm carrying today
Cultivating the sense of the other without forgetting oneself, to create bridges between individuals and give meaning to our lives. I invite everyone to slightly open the door of why: why do I engage with the other? What is my intention? It is from this question that a more peaceful communication is born, even in disagreement.
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/conf%C3%A9rence-assertivit%C3%A9-inspirante
The belief or message I want to leave for the long term
That self-confidence is the key to more peaceful human relationships. That assertiveness — this middle path between fleeing and aggression — is accessible to everyone. And that loving the other in their difference is not a utopia of teddy bears: it is a joyful act of resistance against a world that pushes us towards division. "Cultivating this sense of the other without forgetting oneself, to create bridges between individuals and give meaning to our lives."
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/pourquoi-et-comment-j-invite-le-public-a-cultiver-son-assertivit%C3%A9
A personal story I often tell
Role-playing as "psy". How, as a teenager, diving into the medieval-fantasy worlds of AD&D, around a table with friends, allowed me to explore identities, experience the collective, and ultimately become an adult. The game taught me to engage in relationships, to negotiate, to dare. This is not anecdotal: it is a matrix.
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/le-pouvoir-du-jeu-pour-transformer-vos-relations-humaines
Role-playing is my PSY, it helped me overcome my parents' divorce. It allowed me to explore the path of assertiveness in my professional and personal life.
Where I'm from and what shaped my childhood
I am Breton, from Roscoff, in Northern Finistère. The sea, the wind, the rocks: an open-air imagination. And Madagascar, where part of my family history unfolded — an early window into otherness, cultural difference, the elsewhere. My father, Dominique Desjeux, a sociologist, greatly nurtured this curious and tolerant view of the world.
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/chemin-de-vie
The childhood dream that still follows me
Journalist. I wanted to meet others, interview them, bring out inspiring human portraits. I haven't done it professionally, but this sense of the other — without forgetting oneself — permeates everything I do: in the agency, in animation, and today on stage. Boldness has the genius of strength and magic, so don't hesitate to do it!
https://desjeuxcreations.fr/50-ans-alexis-desjeux/ daring to do things far from the dictates of our system. like Sting and his song Englishman in New York "I am an alien" cultivating one's uniqueness. because I am not in tune with our system. I would like things to change... more kindness.
My memory of speaking in public for the first time
The Prestige evening of CELA in 2015 remains etched in my memory. A network of companies, a beautiful collective energy, the magic of human exchange and sharing. For the first time, I felt what my place could be: to open a space, hold it, and let something happen between people.
https://desjeuxcreations.fr/actu-de-lagence/soiree-prestige-cela/
The people who most shaped who I am
My father, Dominique Desjeux, sociologist: for the ethnological perspective on everyday life. Sting: for Englishman in New York ("I am an alien"), discovered in high school when I understood that my uniqueness did not quite fit the norms; and for The Bridge, which confirmed my vocation. Michael Cheval, painter of the absurd: to remind us that imagination is a tool of lucidity. Charles Pépin, contemporary philosopher: for the virtues of failure and the art of living with one's past. And of course my wife and my four children, my first teachers in human relations.
The choice that most changed my trajectory
To start my own business and create my agency in 2006. To leave the security of salaried work at 30 to embrace a vision. It is this first leap that made all the others possible — including, twenty years later, the leap to take the stage.
https://desjeuxcreations.fr/qui-sommes-nous/voyage-au-coeur-de-20-ans-daventure-un-chevalier-de-la-communication-en-quete-de-sens/
The values that guide my life off stage
Altruism. Kindness. Open-mindedness. Sense of others. Curiosity.
What a normal day looks like for me
A mix. Prospecting and development for the agency. Communication around my speaker brand. Highlighting partners I love. Preparing and rehearsing my interventions. And a few windows to breathe: a bit of tennis, music, an unapologetic nap.
How I recharge between engagements
Music above all: Sting, Loreena McKennitt, The Silencers, classical music. Tennis. Board games around a table, cooperatively (Ghost Stories) or role-playing with my lifelong friends. Walks in the forest. Swimming by the sea, in Roscoff. Sleep and naps, without guilt. And family, an absolute resource.
The passions and interests that are part of my life
Role-playing games (AD&D, medieval-fantasy). Reading heroic fantasy — The Nine Princes of Amber by Roger Zelazny as an absolute reference. Personal development books. Music, always. Tennis. And cooperative board games with family or friends.
What surprises people who only know me on stage
my good mood. my benevolent eccentricity. my overflowing imagination. my expressiveness. I am passionate and it shows in my voice. Undoubtedly the role-playing game as well. Seeing a 50-year-old communications director get excited about AD&D is rarely the first image one has. And yet, that is exactly where my taste for human relationships was forged.
What I'm reading, watching, or learning right now
I nibble a lot: personal development, content on voice and breathing related to the AFCP training, and always a bit of fantasy in parallel to nourish the imagination. I am reading the saga of Maud Ankaoua 'breathe, never again without me, kilometer zero.'
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/chemin-de-vie
The advice that most impacted my life
The quote from Goethe: 'Audacity has genius, power, and magic.' I came across it when I was young, and I have held onto it ever since. Coupled with 'Englishman in New York' by Sting, it has allowed me to cultivate my uniqueness rather than conforming to the norm.
What I'd tell myself ten years ago
'Trust your intuition. That slightly offbeat path you sense, it makes sense. Keep going. And don't wait too long to step onto your stage (whatever it may be).'
https://desjeuxcreations.fr/50-ans-alexis-desjeux/
A fear or limit I'm still working on
Stage fright. Managing my voice and breathing. The distance with the gaze of the other — remaining intimately convinced of my inner path, without depending on validation. It's a daily work.
What I'm most proud of, beyond my résumé
A family built with the same woman, four children. An agency thriving for 20 years. And the fact of having found, at over 50, the courage to add a new chapter — the stage — rather than resting on my laurels. A form of inner peace. An alignment with my ikigai
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/communication-assertive/ikigaietrelationhumaines
The next chapter that intrigues me
How will our society evolve between the explosion of AI and the necessity of keeping the human at the heart of the system? How to preserve the pleasure of doing, the taste of effort, the jubilation of creating — in short, the magic of being human — in a world that is moving faster and faster? This is the big question that drives me, and which will undoubtedly inform my upcoming conferences.
https://desjeuxcreations.fr/tips-conseils-de-com/ia-et-graphisme-des-cles-pour-comprendre-les-synergies/
Positioning & expertise
What concrete problem I can help your audience solve
The daily relational tensions in the workplace: conversations that become tense, unspoken words that rot, conflicts that are avoided or poorly managed, the feeling of not being heard. I help teams find a path between fleeing and aggression — assertiveness — to communicate without fighting, even in disagreement.
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/bien-%C3%AAtre-au-travail-comment-transformer-la-communication-interne-de-votre-entreprise
Why book me rather than another speaker?
Because I bring together three rare things: 30 years of experience in corporate communication (I know the stakes from the inside), a playful and theatrical posture that truly engages the audience, and a sociological perspective informed by three authors — Edward Shorter, Dominique Desjeux, and Hartmut Rosa — that adds depth without overwhelming.
My specialty in one sentence
Cultivating assertiveness to promote more peaceful human relationships, both at work and in life.
Topics I don't cover
Politics and religion.
My unique angle
Play. I make relational mechanisms come alive through experience and the absurd rather than through theory. The audience doesn't listen to me talk about assertiveness: they experience it, they laugh about it, and they leave with a tangible awareness.
The field experience behind my message
More than 30 years in corporate communication and 20 years at the head of my agency. Hundreds of events hosted as a master of ceremonies since 2006. Hosting the Interclubs Anjou for over 10 years. And, more intimately, a family life with my wife and our 4 children, long friendships, loyal partnerships: all daily laboratories where what I talk about on stage is tested.
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/de-la-marque-%C3%A0-la-sc%C3%A8ne-30-ans-d-exp%C3%A9rience-au-service-de-vos-%C3%A9v%C3%A9nements
My speaking style in one or two sentences
Playful, participatory, interactive. A conference that takes a higher perspective on our relational daily life without ever looking down, with humor, play, and a true generosity of energy. Opening the door to the question "why do I engage with the other?" an invitation to open the door to one's INTENTION!
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/relations-humaines-le-pouvoir-de-l-intention
Which audiences get the most from my sessions
Teams that want to streamline their internal communication, management committees engaged in CSR or QVT initiatives, business networks, associations, and family structures looking to better set boundaries and communicate effectively.
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/communication-assertive/relationshumaines. https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/bien-%C3%AAtre-au-travail-comment-transformer-la-communication-interne-de-votre-entreprise
a family association target https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/communication-assertive/poser-les-limites-famille
Which types of organizations I'm the best fit for
SMEs and mid-sized companies with 30 to 250 employees, all over France. Ideally engaged in a CSR approach, Great Place To Work, or inspired by the spirit of Spinoza. Family businesses that truly place people at the heart of their concerns. Conversely, I am not the right person for very large international groups: I have no references or entry keys there.
Concrete outcomes your audience can expect after I speak
An awareness that other relational paths exist between flight and aggression. A personal questioning about the reasons for the connection. Simple tools to clarify one's intention before a difficult exchange. And a revived collective team energy, conducive to conversations that had become bogged down. An invitation to questioning.
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/pourquoi-et-comment-j-invite-le-public-a-cultiver-son-assertivit%C3%A9
The method, framework, or philosophy I stand for
Yes: assertiveness as a path of balance between oneself and others. With a common thread — the power of intention — and three intersecting sociological readings that illuminate why our relationships are so tense today (Shorter, Desjeux, Rosa). All embodied by a character and a game mechanic: Topana, and the game of the absurd.
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/relations-humaines-le-pouvoir-de-l-intention
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/conf%C3%A9rence-assertivit%C3%A9-inspirante
Results & credibility
Career highlights I want to emphasize
20 years at the head of Desjeux Créations, my communication agency. 30+ years of experience in corporate and brand communication. Selected for the Elevate 2026 program of the AFCP (French Association of Professional Speakers). Host and master of ceremonies since 2006, including over 10 years at Interclubs Anjou. Host of literary meetings and public interviews (notably Gaspard Koenig).
https://desjeuxcreations.fr/communication-entreprise-et-marque-plus-de-30-ans-dexpertise/ 20 years of the agency selected for elevate 2026 AFCP https://livret-elevate2026.netlify.app/fr/conferenciers/
Clients and sectors that have trusted me
Third places (L'Esvière), business clubs and networks (VCE, CELA, Interclubs Anjou), SMEs and ETIs from the Pays de la Loire region and beyond, associative and family sectors. The details of my references are available here:
third place l'esvière https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/une-%C3%A9nergie-de-ouf-conf%C3%A9rence-d%C3%A9veloppement-personnel business club VCE https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/communication-assertive/conf%C3%A9rence-assertivit%C3%A9-live
What organizers and audiences tell me most often
« An incredible energy. » The playful and interactive aspect that surprises. The generosity of the voice and expressiveness. And, more deeply, the feeling of having left with a real question to ask oneself about how to engage in relationships.
https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/communication-assertive/conf%C3%A9rence-assertivit%C3%A9-live https://www.youtube.com/@alexisdesjeux
Where I shine most — and when I point you to another option
I excel: plenary conferences and interactive interventions, from 20 to 250 people, in SMEs/ETIs, in business networks, in team seminars, at conventions. Francophone audience, interactive context possible.
I recommend another speaker: for very large international groups, keynotes in English in front of 1000+ people, or purely technical subjects (data, AI, finance). I am not legitimate in that.
What I spotlight beyond my profile (book, certifications, proof, etc.)
MC host since 2006: https://desjeuxcreations.fr/actu-de-lagence/portrait-alexis-desjeux-15-ans-dune-vie-de-reseau/ + animation of interclubs Anjou for over 10 years: https://desjeuxcreations.fr/actu-de-lagence/interclubanjou-la-magie-du-collectif/
Continuing education at AFCP (French Association of Professional Speakers). https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/le-regard-de-mes-pairs-conf%C3%A9rence-en-entreprise
Selected for the Elevate 2026 program. https://livret-elevate2026.netlify.app/fr/conferenciers/
In-depth articles published on alexis-desjeux.fr/blog, notably on assertiveness, the power of intention, and play as a vector of social connection. https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/animateur-rencontre-litt%C3%A9raire-interview-gaspard-koenig-jour-j + https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/maitre-de-ceremonie
YouTube channel @alexisdesjeux with video teaser of the conference.
Signature video made by Terre de Pixel, photos by Arthur Corgier.
The culture of audacity: https://www.alexis-desjeux.fr/post/audace-une-vertus-%C3%A0-cultiver
Speaking style
My energy on stage
Eccentric, caring, overflowing. I am passionate and it shows in my voice. I am not performing: I am fully myself.
How audiences experience my sessions (participation, humor, pace)
Like an experience. We laugh, we play, we are engaged. The rhythm alternates between moments of collective play (the game of the absurd), storytelling (the character of Topana), intersecting sociological perspectives, and more intimate breathing spaces. The audience is never a passive spectator.
Visuals and personal stories: what to expect from me
Yes, on both. I rely on a carefully crafted visual universe (photos, videos, references) and on personal stories I embrace — my childhood in Madagascar, my parents' divorce, role-playing as a 'therapist', my family life, stories of companies seen through the sociologist's lens. Sincerity is my primary tool.
Inspirational keynote vs hands-on workshop; improvisation vs tight structure — how I work
Rather an inspiring keynote, with a precise structure that is written and repeated. But with a real part of improvisation and interaction with the audience — that's where the magic happens. The structure is solid; what we build together in the moment makes it alive.
How I customize content and how much I tailor to you
Yes, about 20 to 30% of the content is tailored to each client: concrete examples related to their sector, internal vocabulary, current issues (reorganization, merger, QVT approach, etc.). The sociological core and the mechanics of the game remain stable; the embodiment adjusts.
What makes my sessions memorable
Through the collectively lived experience. No one remembers a PowerPoint for long. Everyone remembers having played, laughed together, and leaving with a small phrase that resonates — often: "What is my intention when I engage with the other?" or the 3-second game. the time of assertiveness.
The strongest moments and insights I create for audiences
The moment of the absurd game, where the audience experiences in their body what they sometimes feel in meetings without naming it. And the passage about the power of intention: understanding that before "how I communicate" comes "why I communicate with this person."
The emotion or mindset I want people to leave with
A blend of lightness and gentle gravity. The feeling that another path is possible, that it starts with oneself, and that cultivating the sense of the other — without forgetting oneself — is a joyful act. A small seed planted, free for each to make it grow.
Concrete content
The main takeaways participants leave with
Assertiveness is a path between avoidance and aggression — and it can be learned. Self-confidence is the foundation of peaceful relationships with others. Intention precedes expression: clarify the why before the how. Disagreement is not the enemy of respect. Cultivating one's uniqueness is a collective asset, not an individual whim.
What your audience can apply the very next day
Before each somewhat sensitive exchange: take 30 seconds and ask yourself, "What is my intention in this conversation?" This simple reflex changes the quality of 80% of exchanges.
And the 3-second game. Wait 3 seconds before responding. It's the time for assertiveness.
Tools, methods, and exercises I provide
The game of the absurd, a collective exercise to experience the mechanisms of failing communication. The cross-view of the 3 sociologists as a lens for understanding the contemporary world. The WHY grid applied to professional relationships. Embodied narratives (Topana, #Testimo) that serve as memory anchors.
Myths and common mistakes I debunk
"Being assertive means knowing how to say no." → No: it means knowing how to clarify your intention, express your disagreement respectfully, and welcome that of the other. It's a balancing act between you trying to soothe your ego and your interlocutor doing the same (or not). "Communication is a matter of tools." → No: it's primarily a matter of why. "Avoiding conflict is being kind." → No: it's often fleeing and maintaining discomfort.
Real-world examples that best illustrate my message
Everyday situations in the workplace: the meeting that gets bogged down, the feedback that goes poorly, the email that causes tension, the overwhelmed manager who no longer knows how to say no. And very personal situations — my own family, my mistakes, my progress — because sincerity legitimizes the discourse.
Sensitive topics I address frankly, if any
The ambient xenophobia and the division created by certain politicians. The relational fatigue at work. The difficulty of setting boundaries in the family. I do not avoid these topics, but I always approach them through the door of kindness and experience, never through that of ideology.
Beliefs or ideas in the audience I aim to shift
The idea that we suffer from our relationships. No: we choose them, to a large extent, based on the intention we put into them. Taking control of the why changes everything. Setting your intention, acting on what you can control, and integrating the other into the game of human relationships fosters exchange. Maintaining this bridge between two individuals (regardless of their gender) because we have something to do together.
The “aha moment” I aim for your audience
"But actually... I have a choice." That moment when someone in the room realizes that between fleeing ("I let it pass") and aggression ("I hit"), there is a third path — and it is within their reach.
Format
On-site, remote, or hybrid: what I accept and prefer
I accept all three, but I always give my best in person. Interaction, play, collective energy — all of this loses intensity at a distance. Remote formats are still possible for short sessions (45 min to 1 hour) with a motivated audience. I advise against hybrid formats unless the organizer has true technical mastery.
Limits & transparency
How I handle a difficult or low-energy audience
I never force it. I rely on my 20 years of facilitation and master of ceremonies experience: we lower the intensity, seek individual contact, and engage through play rather than direct questioning. And sometimes, we accept that an audience just needs to listen that day. Sincerity always ends up building the bridge. The game also needs spectators.
If tech fails: how I respond
With a smile. I have been a facilitator since 2006: I have seen cables fail and projectors turn off. My content is designed to stand on its own without slides if necessary. The voice, the narrative, the play — they do not break down.
How I handle tough questions and running over time
I welcome difficult questions with respect, even when I disagree. My guiding principle — assertiveness — compels me to embody it live. Regarding timing, I am rigorous: I start and finish at the announced time. If the debate extends, I suggest off-stage extensions (informal exchange, networking) rather than overrunning.
What can derail a session, in my view — and how I prevent it
A poor brief. I protect myself from this by having an in-depth exchange beforehand with the organizer (objective, audience, internal stakes, context). A mismatch between the sold format and the real need. I prefer to say 'this is not for me' rather than accept a context where I will not be relevant. The absence of embodiment. A recited conference is a dead conference. I rehearse, I work, I surround myself (AFCP training) to ensure that each intervention is lively.
Logistics & organization
What technical setup I need on site
A wireless microphone (lapel or headset, ideally a headset to free up hands). A projector and a screen suitable for the size of the room (in 16/9 format). A sound return if the room exceeds 100 people. An unobstructed stage area to move around (but it's really modular). A bottle of water nearby. A space close to the stage to change (I change clothes during the conference)
My tech rider or logistics document
Yes, I send a detailed technical sheet as soon as the intervention is confirmed.
How early I usually arrive before the event
I arrive at least 1 hour and 30 minutes before the start of the intervention. This allows me to test the sound, the screen, locate the room, exchange with the technicians, and meet the organizer one last time. And to relax through breathing and heart coherence.
Whether I travel internationally and if I need an interpreter
I am currently focusing on metropolitan France and nearby Francophonie (Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg). I do not work in English and do not seek international opportunities.
My slides, filming, and reusing recordings
The slides are not systematically transmitted (they only make sense with my embodiment). Recording is possible with prior agreement, within an internal framework for the client. Public reuse is subject to a specific exchange.
My availability before/after, networking, meet & greet
Yes, with pleasure. I believe that the conference does not start at the starting signal and does not stop at the applause. Informal exchanges are an integral part of my proposal: this is often where true awareness takes root.
Working together
Why organizers like working with me
Because I have been in their place for 30 years. As a Communications Director and agency head, I have organized events: I know what is expected of a speaker. Specifically:
Brief: I come with specific questions, not with a formatted speech. Responsiveness: I respond within the day, I meet my deadlines. Reliability: over 20 years in the agency without major hiccups, that's my best argument. Flexibility: I adapt format, duration, and examples to the context, without losing my essence. Pleasure: I do not do this job by default, I chose it after turning 50. You can feel it. It's my ikigai.