What is Command the Room?
Command the Room is a 12-week, 1-on-1 communication coaching program designed for technical professionals and new managers who struggle with the execution gap the space between knowing what to say and saying it with confidence.
What you get:
12 weekly 1-on-1 coaching sessions (60 minutes each)
Personalized frameworks for every scenario (delegation, persuasion, feedback, storytelling)
Real-world practice on your actual work presentations and conversations
Lifetime access to session recordings
$1,485 in bonuses (Communication Toolkit, mini-course, vocal warm-up audio)
Best for:
New managers learning to lead
Technical professionals preparing for senior roles
Mid-career professionals stuck at their current level
Investment: $2,500 CAD (payment plans available)
What is Deck Detox?
Deck Detox is a 90-minute intensive presentation coaching session for professionals who have a high-stakes talk coming up in 2-4 weeks.
What you get:
60-minute deck review and message restructuring (live via Google Meet)
30-minute polish session after you practice (live via Google Meet)
Curveball prep (scripted responses to tough questions)
Day-of confidence strategies (vocal warm-up, mental prep)
Bonuses: Vocal warm-up audio, framework cheat sheet, tough questions guide
Best for:
Board meetings, investor pitches, all-hands presentations
Conference talks, client proposals, TEDx talks
Any moment where you need to nail it
Investment: $437 CAD
How long is Command the Room?
12 weeks.
Weekly commitment:
1 hour per week for live coaching (scheduled at your convenience)
2-3 hours per week for homework (recording yourself, practicing frameworks, applying them at work)
Total time investment: 3-4 hours per week for 12 weeks
Can it be shorter or longer?
I don't recommend shorter skills need time to practice and integrate. Doing it in 6 weeks means you're cramming, not mastering.
Longer is fine if life happens. Sessions don't expire. If you need to pause for a vacation or busy period, we can adjust.
What if I miss a session?
Life happens. We can reschedule with 24 hours notice.
Rescheduling policy:
Give me 24+ hours notice → Reschedule without penalty
Less than 24 hours notice → Session is forfeited (but we can discuss exceptions for emergencies)
Sessions don't expire. You get all 12, regardless of how long it takes to complete them.
Is this live or recorded?
All sessions are live, 1-on-1 with me via Google Meet.
I record them so you can revisit concepts later, but we meet in real-time. You're not watching pre-recorded videos.
Why live?
You get personalized coaching tailored to YOUR gaps
I can give you direct feedback on your delivery
We can adjust frameworks to YOUR specific scenarios
You can ask questions and get real-time answers
What's the actual time commitment?
For Command the Room:
1 hour per week: Live coaching session
2-3 hours per week: Homework (recording yourself, practicing frameworks, applying them at work)
Total: 3-4 hours per week
Less time than you currently spend replaying conversations in your head.
For Deck Detox:
60 minutes: Session 1 (deck detox)
2-3 hours: Homework (revising deck, practicing, recording yourself)
30 minutes: Session 2 (polish)
Total: About 4 hours over 1-2 weeks
Can I do the program faster than 12 weeks?
I don't recommend it.
Here's why:
Skills need time to practice and integrate
You need to apply frameworks in real work scenarios (not just rehearse them)
Behavioral change takes time rushing it means it won't stick
Doing it in 6 weeks means you're cramming, not mastering.
But we can discuss flexibility on the Strategy Call if you have unique circumstances.
What if I need more than 12 weeks?
Most clients finish in 12 weeks. But if you need more support:
Option 1: Extend the program
Add 4 additional weeks for $1,200 (prorated from the original $2,500)
Option 2: Periodic tune-up sessions
After finishing, book one-off sessions as needed ($400 per session)
Option 3: Join the alumni community
Stay connected with other Command the Room graduates (currently informal; may formalize in the future)
How much does Command the Room cost?
Investment: $2,500
What's included:
12 weekly 1-on-1 sessions (60 minutes each)
Notion dashboard with all frameworks and homework
Lifetime access to frameworks
$1,485 in bonuses (Communication Toolkit, mini-course, vocal warm-up audio, resume review, 30-day check-in)
Total value: $5,985
How much does Deck Detox cost?
Investment: $437
What's included:
60-minute deck detox session
30-minute polish session
Vocal warm-up audio
Framework cheat sheet
Tough questions guide
Can I pay in installments?
Yes for Command the Room. Not available for Deck Detox Session.
For Command the Room:
Pay in full: $2,500 (save $500)
3-month payment plan: $1,000/month ($3,000 total)
For Deck Detox:
Pay in full: $437 CAD
Can my employer pay for this?
Yes! Many clients get reimbursed through:
Professional development budgets
Leadership development programs
L&D training funds
I provide invoices for corporate reimbursement.
How to ask your employer:
"I'd like to invest in communication coaching to improve my leadership presence and presentation skills. Can the company reimburse this through our professional development budget?"
Most employers say yes, especially if you frame it as:
Helping you communicate more effectively with senior leaders
Preparing you for promotion to the next level
Improving your ability to deliver feedback and lead your team
Do you offer refunds?
Yes.
For Command the Room:
If after Session 6 you don't feel like you're making measurable progress, I'll refund 100% of your investment. No questions asked.
Why Session 6?
By Session 3, you'll know if this is working. If it's not clicking you're out. If it's working you're in for the full transformation.
For Deck Detox:
If you complete both sessions, do the homework, and don't feel significantly more confident about your presentation, I'll refund 100% of your investment.
Is this guaranteed to get me promoted?
I can't control your company's promotion process. But I can guarantee you'll communicate with more clarity, confidence, and authority which significantly increases your chances.
What I can control:
Your frameworks (ACTION, PREP, SHIFT, P.W.E., TVR P²)
Your delivery (vocal variety, executive presence, handling curveballs)
Your confidence (self-advocacy, owning your authority)
What I can't control:
Your company's politics
Budget freezes or hiring freezes
Whether your manager actually advocates for you
Timing (promotions often happen in cycles)
The skills you learn in Command the Room will serve you for the rest of your career not just the next promotion cycle.
What's the ROI on this investment?
If this coaching helps you get promoted, the ROI is 3-10x.
Example:
You invest $2,500 in Command the Room
You get promoted 6 months later
Your raise is $10,000-$30,000+
ROI: 2-7x in year one. Compounding for the rest of your career.
But even if you don't get promoted immediately:
You stop wasting mental energy replaying conversations (hours per week reclaimed)
You deliver difficult feedback without avoiding it (team performance improves)
You speak up in meetings (visibility increases)
You advocate for yourself (you're on the radar for the next opportunity)
The frameworks you learn last a lifetime.
How fast will I see results?
Timeline:
Week 1: Diagnosis
You'll understand exactly what's holding you back (thinking gap? structure gap? delivery gap?)
Week 2: First framework applied
You'll use ACTION or PREP in a real work scenario and see immediate improvement
Week 4: Multiple frameworks in use
You'll have structures for delegation, persuasion, storytelling, and feedback
Week 8: Automatic delivery
Frameworks become muscle memory. You stop thinking about structure you just use it.
Week 12: Full transformation
You communicate like the leader you already are. Mental freedom arrives.
Most clients see measurable improvement within 2-4 weeks of starting.
What results do clients typically see?
Behavioral changes:
Speak up in the first 10 minutes of every meeting (instead of staying silent)
Structure updates in under 10 minutes (instead of rambling for 30)
Deliver difficult feedback conversations (instead of avoiding them for months)
Advocate for themselves during promotion cycles (instead of waiting for permission)
Stop replaying conversations for hours (instead, say it once and move on)
Career outcomes:
Promotions (within 3-12 months)
Raises ($10K-$30K increases)
New opportunities (invited to present at all-hands, lead cross-functional projects)
Increased visibility (recognized by senior leaders)
Mental shifts:
Confidence that doesn't depend on external validation
Trust in their voice
Freedom from people-pleasing and imposter syndrome
What if I don't improve?
If you complete the sessions, do the homework, and don't see results, I'll work with you for 4 additional weeks at no charge.
But here's the reality:
I've never had a client complete all 12 weeks, do the homework, and not improve.
The method works. You just have to do the reps.
Will this work if I'm an introvert?
Absolutely.
Here's why this works for introverts:
Structure helps you prepare. You don't have to "wing it" anymore. You have frameworks that tell you exactly what to say.
Frameworks reduce cognitive load. You're not improvising in the moment. You know the structure before you walk in.
You practice privately. Recording yourself, Voxer feedback you don't have to perform in front of a group.
Introverts often make the best communicators once they have structure. You think before you speak. You're intentional. You just need tools.
What one introverted client said:
"I used to think I was bad at communication because I'm introverted. Clerisa showed me I just needed frameworks"
What if I'm already pretty good at communication?
Then you'll become excellent.
Command the Room is also for:
Good communicators who want to be great
People preparing for executive roles
Leaders who want to refine their edge
What one "already good" client said:
"I thought I was pretty solid. Then Clerisa showed me I was hedging, rambling, and missing vocal variety. Now I'm exceptional."
If you're already good, this program helps you:
Eliminate the 10% of habits holding you back (hedging language, filler words)
Refine your delivery (vocal variety, strategic pauses)
Master high-stakes scenarios (curveball questions, executive presence)
Own your authority without second-guessing yourself
What makes you different from other communication coaches?
Most coaches focus on generic "communication skills."
I focus specifically on the execution gap the barrier between knowing what to say and saying it with confidence.
If you're technically excellent but struggle to articulate your value, I'm your specialist.
What makes Top Leader Lab different:
1. I only take 3 clients per quarter
Personalized, not mass-market. Every session is tailored to YOUR gaps.
2. I have corporate background
AMD, CGI, PwC I understand the corporate world.
3. I give you frameworks, not fluff
ACTION, PREP, SHIFT, P.W.E., TVR P². Repeatable structures, not motivational platitudes.
4. You practice on real work scenarios
Your presentations. Your feedback conversations. Your career challenges. Skills become muscle memory.
5. I provide Voxer support
Voice message me Monday-Thursday when you need help. You're not stuck waiting a week for your next session.
Do you work with people outside Toronto?
Yes. All coaching is virtual via Google Meet.
I work with clients across:
Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area
Canada (Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa)
United States (tech hubs, finance centers)
Location doesn't matter. Your communication gaps do.
What's your coaching style?
Direct, but caring.
What that means:
I tell you what's not working (you won't wonder what I really think)
I show you how to fix it (specific feedback, not vague advice)
I do it with respect for your effort (I'm not harsh; I'm honest)
I don't do:
Generic advice ("Just be yourself!")
The feedback sandwich (buries your message)
Excessive praise that feels fake
I do:
Clear diagnosis ("Here's where you lose people")
Actionable feedback ("Here's how to fix it")
Frameworks you can use immediately (not theory)
Do you work with my industry?
I specialize in tech and finance professionals, but the frameworks work across industries.
Industries I've worked with:
Technology: Software engineers, data scientists, IT professionals, product managers
Finance: Financial analysts, investment professionals, accounting (Big 4 firms)
Consulting: Management consultants (Deloitte, PwC, McKinsey)
Healthcare: Hospital administrators, medical directors
If you're mid-career and communication is holding you back, we're likely a fit.
What are your credentials?
Professional certifications:
Certified Leadership & Performance Coach (Canada Coach Academy)
Certified DiSC Practitioner (Wiley | Everything DiSC)
Leadership & speaking experience:
VP of Education, Richmond Hill Toastmasters (leading 25+ members)
Corporate background:
AMD (Advanced Micro Devices)
CGI (Consulting)
PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) Delivered "Train the Trainer" programs
Education:
Bachelor's Degree: Economics & Sociology
How do sessions work?
All sessions are live, 1-on-1 via Google Meet.
Scheduling:
We find a recurring weekly time that works for both of us (e.g., Tuesdays at 10am)
I send you a calendar invite for all 12 sessions
If you need to reschedule, just give me 24 hours notice
Session structure:
First 5 minutes: Check-in (what happened since last week?)
Next 45 minutes: Teaching + coaching + practice
Last 10 minutes: Homework assignment for the week
What if I need to reschedule a session?
Rescheduling policy:
Give me 24+ hours notice → Reschedule without penalty
Less than 24 hours notice → Session is forfeited (but we can discuss exceptions for emergencies)
Sessions don't expire. You get all 12, regardless of how long it takes.
Where are sessions held?
Virtual via Google Meet.
You don't need to commute. You can coach from:
Your home office
A private room at work
A coffee shop with good wifi
Anywhere with a quiet space and internet
In-person sessions:
Not currently offered for 1-on-1 coaching. All Command the Room and Deck Detox sessions are virtual.
(Corporate workshops can be delivered in-person in Toronto/GTA.)
What do I need for sessions?
Required:
Computer or tablet with camera and microphone
Reliable internet connection
Zoom (free account works fine)
Quiet space where you can talk freely
Recommended:
Headphones (better audio quality)
Second monitor (so you can see me + your notes)
Notion account (I'll give you access to your dashboard)
What if I'm in a different time zone?
No problem. I work with clients across Canada and the US.
My availability: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm EST (Toronto time)
If you're in:
Pacific Time (Vancouver): 6am-2pm PST
Mountain Time (Calgary): 7am-3pm MST
Eastern Time (Toronto): 9am-5pm EST
We'll find a time that works for both of us.
How is communication coaching different from executive coaching?
Communication Coaching (Top Leader Lab):
Focus: How you speak, present, give feedback, and articulate ideas
Skills: Frameworks for structuring messages, vocal variety, executive presence
Outcome: You sound as capable as you are
Best for: Technical professionals, new managers, mid-career professionals
Executive Coaching:
Focus: Leadership strategy, decision-making, career advancement
Skills: Emotional intelligence, organizational politics, goal-setting
Outcome: You make better decisions and navigate complexity
Best for: Senior leaders, executives, C-suite
Can you do both?
Yes. Many clients do communication coaching first (to close the execution gap), then executive coaching (for strategic leadership development).
How is communication coaching different from Toastmasters?
Toastmasters:
Format: Group practice with peer feedback
Content: Generic speeches (not work-related)
Feedback: From peers (not professional coaches)
Cost: $100-200/year
Best for: People who want affordable group practice
Communication Coaching (Top Leader Lab):
Format: 1-on-1 personalized coaching
Content: YOUR presentations, YOUR feedback conversations, YOUR career challenges
Feedback: From a certified coach with corporate experience
Cost: $2,500 for 12 weeks
Best for: People who want personalized transformation
Can you do both?
Yes. Many clients do both. Toastmasters gives you group practice. Communication coaching gives you personalized strategy.
Full disclosure: I'm the Vice President of Education (2025 - 2026) at Richmond Hill Toastmasters, and I still recommend personalized coaching for people with specific career goals.
How is communication coaching different from public speaking training?
Public Speaking Training:
Focus: Speaking to large audiences (conferences, keynotes)
Skills: Stage presence, storytelling for hundreds of people
Best for: People who give talks to large groups
Communication Coaching (Top Leader Lab):
Focus: Professional communication in work settings (meetings, presentations, feedback)
Skills: Structuring messages, executive presence, difficult conversations
Best for: People who want to communicate better at work
If you're giving a TEDx talk or keynoting a conference → Public speaking training
If you're trying to get promoted and need to sound like a leader → Communication coaching
How is communication coaching different from speech therapy?
Speech Therapy:
Focus: Clinical issues (stuttering, articulation disorders, voice disorders)
Provider: Speech-language pathologist (medical professional)
Best for: People with diagnosed speech or language disorders
Communication Coaching (Top Leader Lab):
Focus: Professional communication skills (structuring messages, executive presence, self-advocacy)
Provider: Certified coach with corporate experience
Best for: People who don't have clinical issues but struggle to articulate their value at work
You don't need speech therapy. You need structure.