Choosing the Right Presentation Coach: Factors for a Successful Partnership

Your progress with a communications coach requires great synergy. Building trust is an important part of the development process; the greater the trust, the more progress can be made.

MAKING SESSIONS COUNT

Crafting your message and elevating your presentation skills is more akin to an art than a science. There are countless techniques and exercises that can advance your progress, and finding the right key to unlock your full potential can take some trial and error.

Your sessions with a communications coach should feel like a rehearsal for a great show - the rehearsal process isn’t about striving for perfection, in fact, getting it wrong along the way can prove invaluable as you uncover quirks and moments that feed into the final performance.

Perfection shouldn’t be your target and, in fact, striving for perfection can lead to a robotic performance, void of life. Your aim, when working with your communications coach, should be to develop your approach to communications and heighten your understanding of the audience. Building these foundational skills will allow you to deliver your message with fluency; able to pivot to all circumstances and opportunities to share your story.

WORKING TOGETHER

Feedback should be a two-way street, rich with great conversations, and a shared understanding of your goals., Your communications coach should not simply be teaching you to parrot a message in a clinical style but rather broadening your personal approach to communication. Learning new pathways to delivering clear, concise messages should be an ongoing practice that opens you up to more effective communication in all aspects of your business and beyond.

Like any great sports coach or theatre director, your communications coach, ultimately, can’t do it for you; the work has to be done by you but you needn’t be alone. Our coaches can guarantee you perspective on your presentation and public skills; on the sidelines to nudge you closer to your goal through suggestion and encouragement.

Contrary to archetypes and myth, great theatre directors aren’t autonomous blowhards demanding the actors adhere to a specific vision. The best theatre directors are facilitators; they set the tone for the rehearsal room to bring out the best in the actors. Your coaching sessions should feel fluid and open with a strong element of play involved. There are no wrong answers when it comes to stretching your communication muscles. The best work can often feel indirect as it is about freeing the strongest aspects of your voice; aspects that society and conformity often block. It is through this playful journey of discovery that you will unlock strengths in your presentation style.

Given that some aspects of this process require you to use your voice and your body in new and counterintuitive ways, it is essential that you are confident in your coach. Frank honesty is important when starting out with a coach, so we can be aware of the boundaries of your comfort zone.

You should be vocal about your preferred approach and outline your limits. A good coach will guide you through challenges but will never require anything from you that makes you feel uncomfortable. Akin to a session with a personal trainer, it is important to know your limits and find ways to redefine your boundaries and reach your maximum capability.

Finding a coach who understands your needs and has a clear idea of your personal approach is key. Your sessions should feel tailor-made to suit your capabilities and bring out the best in your message and strengthen your ability to deliver your pitch with energy and confidence.