Confident Conversations for Introverts: Building Meaningful Workplace Connections

For many introverts, workplace conversations can feel overwhelming—whether it’s breaking the ice, giving feedback, or networking in larger groups. Yet, strong communication skills are essential for building trust, influencing decisions, and advancing professionally. Without them, you risk being overlooked, misunderstood, or drained by interactions that never turn into real connections.

This empowering course is designed specifically for introverts who want to turn their natural strengths into powerful assets. Through practical techniques, role-play, and introvert-friendly strategies, you’ll discover how to think quickly on your feet, manage energy before and after conversations, and engage in dialogue with confidence. From small talk and purposeful introductions to handling feedback and building long-term professional relationships, you’ll gain the tools to communicate authentically without pretending to be someone you’re not.

By the end, you’ll walk away with a personalised conversational game plan and the confidence to transform everyday workplace interactions into meaningful, lasting connections.

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Apply conversational intelligence skills, including active listening and asking powerful questions.
• Initiate small talk and networking interactions with confidence and authenticity.
• Craft and deliver authentic self-introductions and elevator pitches for meetings and networking.
• Engage in feedback conversations that build trust and psychological safety.
• Develop a personal action plan to sustain confidence and conversational habits in the workplace.

• Introverted professionals, supervisors, and middle managers who wish to communicate more confidently at work.
• Individuals who want to navigate workplace conversations, meetings, and networking without feeling drained
• Those who seek to influence and build trust through thoughtful conversations.

“Hazriq Idrus is a great, competent and entertaining speaker. He provided an outstanding presentation at a Kaplan Singapore - University of Essex symposium earlier this year. I highly recommend Hazriq.”

~ Dr Jurgen Rudolph | Head of Research, Senior Lecturer | Kaplan Higher Education, Singapore

“Hazriq has changed my perspective in creative thinking and leadership. He made us curious on how we can incorporate creativity in a rigid work sector such as educational management and technology. (Surprised) at how easy it is to apply creativity in our work. Since then, I teach my course mates and colleagues the same technique so our meetings will be much more efficient.”

~ Diyana Tojiman | MA Candidate | Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

“As MC / Event Host at a recent Singapore conference with approximately 220 academics and working professionals, Hazriq Idrus was third speaker on our five speaker event agenda. Hazriq had a wonderful presence as a speaker who easily engaged the audience with his 'Language of Creativity' message. His timing was spot on with this TEDx style presentation which helped me as MC keep our event on track. I highly recommend Hazriq to help listeners use creativity to live happier lives and something he can speak about if you engage him to speak at your future events.”

~ Rob Salisbury | Event MC | Strategic Resources, Australia

"... Thank you for teaching me such a simple and fun way of speaking in public. As I mentioned to you when we met, I was getting ready for my big day. I knew I wanted to say something, at least to thank my guests. And so the time came and I found myself delivering my simple message in a calm and natural way. I grabbed that mic and I started talking! I thought I was going to get very nervous, but I didn't! I practiced mentally and used pauses, and looking at different parts and people in the audience. .... And for that, I have to Thank You Hazriq. I have no doubt that when the time comes, I'll be seeking your assistance again."

~ Ms Maitte Cruz | Counsellor | Public Speaking Coachee

"My work with Hazriq Idrus aimed to increase my confidence and the dramatic aspects in my presentations at the recently-concluded Toastmasters International's inter-division competition. I was thrilled that after the coaching sessions, not only did my presentation styles were brought up a notch, but I also won the Top Prize in that annual competition! What I appreciated most from Hazriq was his professionalism and his acumen in the presentation and public speaking field. He's a no-nonsense coach with a high threshold of patience (with my antics!) yet firm in his delivery to meet, and exceeded, the desired outcome."

~ Suhail Abdul Hamid | Technical Professional | Public Speaking Coachee

Hazriq Idrus is a respected communication coach and stage actor turned professional speaker, renowned for his expertise in Creativity, Leadership, and Communication, and how these elements synergize to drive success. As the author of “The Stage Fright Antidote!” and “Creative Leadership”, as well as a co-author of 10 other books, Hazriq has dedicated his career to helping leaders and teams connect, communicate, and collaborate more effectively through his keynote presentations, workshops, and publications.

A graduate of the University of South Australia with a Bachelor in Communications & Media Management, Hazriq brings extensive experience in customer service, project management, and people development. Since 2005, he has empowered over 10,000 learners and clients, including prestigious organizations like BMW, Petronas, StarHub, and various government agencies. Hazriq’s unique approach integrates principles of acting and theatre improvisation, ensuring his training sessions are engaging, experiential, and highly practical for real-world application.

Featured in prominent regional media such as The Straits Times, Radio 938Live, and The Brunei Times, Hazriq continues to inspire creativity as an Associate Lecturer at a local polytechnic in Singapore, where he teaches innovation and design thinking. His ongoing involvement in theatre performance keeps him sharp and adept in fostering creativity and innovative thinking.

Accreditations & Professional Credentials:

• BA Communications and Media Management, University of South Australia
• Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA) certification, WDA
• Certified Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner, IBM, USA
• Certified Practitioner of Human-Centric Design, LUMA Institute
• Certified Agile Professional, ICAgile, USA
• Certified Agile Leadership Essentials, Scrum Alliance, USA
• Certified Agile Leadership Teams, Scrum Alliance, USA
• Certified DiSC Behavioural Consultant, Institute of Motivational Living, USA
• Certificate of Educational Studies (Public Speaking), College of Teachers, UK
• Certified Service Provider (CSP), Workforce Devt Agency (WDA)
• Certificate in Creative Leadership, Cannes Lions