Public speaking is one of those things that makes people worried and scared. What if it goes wrong? What will people think of me? And they compare themselves to a colleague who does it so well. All of this is natural and in the same way you need a driving instructor to teach you how to drive, you can use a coach to help you speak in front of others.
If you’ve decided to use a coach to become a better public speaker then you’ve made a great decision. It is a skill that can transform your confidence and create lots of opportunities. And it’s one of the best skills to have in the workplace.
Many of those who are great at public speaking today got expert advice and coaching. This includes most politicians and even TV presenters like Gary Lineker. If you get time watch his first Match of the Day appearance on YouTube you’ll see how much he’s developed and improved when speaking in front of camera. Exactly the same is true with Gary Neville.
From my 20 years at Sky News and Sky Sports I’ve seen employees become great public speakers and progress faster in their careers. They get more opportunities to work with key stakeholders. And are chosen to represent the company externally because their ability in public speaking shines through.
My coaching style
Whether we work one on one or in a group, you want to carefully choose your coach. Someone that understands your ambitions. Someone who has empathy. And someone that will get the best out of you.
I use my two decades working with presenters, reporters and producers to bring you the best knowledge, ideas and advice to make improvements quickly. This is not coaching that gets results in months. But ones where you can put improvements into action straight away.
Public speaking can be your superpower. With examples and lots of practice we try different styles and techniques until you find one that feels effortless. And that is unique to you. A style where you’re not imitating someone else but crafting your own unique public speaking style. And a coach can help, guide, and be a key part of your journey.
I also sometimes bring in expertise from outside to give a different perspective as we cover how to start your speaking, the ways to make it engaging, the tips for delivering with impact, and how your speaking can influence and win hearts and minds.
The right public speaking coach doesn’t just improve your presentations. They unlock a capability and style that will amplify and give an X factor to everything else you bring to your professional life. It’s a great skill for leaders to have when delivering important messages and communicating about the business.
Practice your public speaking with me
Many people have a specific task in mind before looking for a coach. Perhaps they want to nail their upcoming presentation in front of senior leaders. Maybe they’re giving a speech at a wedding. Or they made a New Year’s Resolution to be better at speaking this year.
For our sessions we go through a whole range of devices to help. Some of these include:
- Slowing down the pace to create impact
- Adopting the right tone and knowing your audience
- Participation from the audience/attendees
- How to stay on time
- Using “ad lib” techniques
- Using humour and when it works
- How to do the Q&A and stay in control
You may wish to focus on all of these or on a handful with your coach. It depends on the context of your speaking opportunity and what you wish to achieve.
Book a free 30-minute chat to discuss what works best for you.
The public speaking coach who advises watching TV
Yes, you read that right. American TV dramas are especially good for learning about public speaking and here is why.
I love watching programmes like NCIS and FBI. These dramas are scripted and rehearsed over and over. They have 45 minutes to cover a complex storyline and make you follow along. The next time you watch them consider how carefully they use every word and sentence to deliver a key part of the narrative.
How the pace of speaking slows down, perhaps just before they realise they’re in danger. And they are also great at showing leaders making their language and instructions stand out. All this makes you go through lots of emotions and that is mainly through words and the way they’re delivered along with nonverbal communication.
Looking for a public speaking coach in London who understands the nerves and pressure? Work with someone who’s spent 20 years broadcasting.
Ready to transform your public communication skills? Let’s talk: