Designed for people who want to be more effective and confident in their communications, coaching programs are focused, short-term, and practical. Sessions emphasize interacting with clients, delivering formal presentations, running internal meetings or preparing compelling deliverables. Participants — mostly senior and mid-level executives — learn to get to message efficiently and stay on message with authority and professional presence.
An initial diagnosis is made based on observation, review of written documents and presentations, and assessments from colleagues. Equally important is the individual’s own sense of what is not working in the current performance — often gleaned from reviews, less formal feedback, videos of presentation — and insights about possible underlying causes.
Coaching sessions begin with examining the quality of the message to be delivered. A well developed, rational story enhances the delivery skills of even proficient speakers, generating audience interest, setting expectations, structuring information logically. Once the narrative is defined, participants are ready to practice elements of successful oral delivery, considering voice, gesture, posture, movement, stage fright, as well as the mechanics and challenges of using visual aids, handling Q and A, responding to varied or difficult audiences and situations, presenting as part of a team, etc.
Coaching sessions address each of these with specific recommendations, tools and techniques that are initially practiced within the coaching environment. After several sessions, participants often work on their own, implementing new tools, with the coach available by phone or e-mail for support. Sessions might be scheduled from time to time afterwards to review, re-assess and confirm that goals are being achieved and maintained. A reality check with the participant’s larger context helps to confirm progress. In addition, the coach communicates progress orally and in writing with human resource staff and/or sponsors.