FAQs:

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Am I the right coach for you?

If you watched the video above, you have a good sense of my style, experience, results, and overall methodology. But to be certain I would be the right coach for you, it’s important you know exactly what to expect working with me.

I’ve respectfully turned down many professionals who I felt I could not help, either because they were looking for something I could not provide, or I did not see the level of commitment required to be successful in my programs. It is when there is a fit that we are able to achieve the most transformational outcomes, and that’s the #1 goal I have when working with any client.

Read on to learn more! 

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First off, what is “coaching”? 

Many professionals approach me for coaching, when in truth they’re looking for mentorship. Here’s the difference:

• A mentor will help solve your problems by giving you advice, letting you know how they tackled similar challenges. 
• A coach will help you find answers to your own problems, often through deep listening and insightful questioning. 

In other words, if you’re looking for someone to do all the work for you, I would not be the best fit. 

From my experience, the biggest breakthroughs happen when clients discover their own answers. I’ll stop them as they’re delivering a presentation, and ask why they chose to design the slide a certain way, or why they chose to talk about one idea first instead of another. I’ll ask them to consider alternatives. As they reflect and develop more self-awareness, the client notices improvements increasingly on their own. That’s the secret to retention and success, long after our program is over. 

There are, however, nuances to coaching (as with anything!), and that’s what leads to question number 2…

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Does a coach need to be “certified”?

Clients understandably want assurance they’re working with someone with a high caliber of expertise. Certifications, for many, assuage that concern by offering evidence of vetting by a professional organization. (Coaching, after all, is an unregulated profession, and anyone can call themselves a “coach.”) 

Here is more detail about what a coaching credential involves, from the world’s leading professional organization (the ICF): 

• Coaches with ICF credentials complete a certain number of hours of coaching education and experience, as well as pass a performance evaluation and exam, ensuring a uniform standard of practice.
• Coaches, for example, are trained to cultivate trust and maintain confidentiality, creating a private space of reflection where clients can identify insights and share their innermost thoughts. 
• Coaches are also trained to avoid giving advice or feedback, and avoid sharing knowledge or observations unless they are presented in a neutral fashion, for the client to objectively explore. 

This is where I disagree with ICF methodology. Yes, I’ve found my clients learn best when they discover their own answers. But not always. 

• Sometimes clients need to see examples of what is “better” vs “worse” so they’re not grasping in the dark. This is where I personally demonstrate examples of effective vs ineffective communication. 
• Sometimes clients need to understand why certain approaches work better than others. This is where I explain the neuroscience and psychology behind communication best practices. 

“Coaching” is therefore an excellent tool and the one I primarily use. But it is insufficient alone. I will provide “mentorship” when it is best for the client to hear from my experience, and I will provide “consulting” when it is best for the client to get direct feedback and recommendations. 

If you prefer to work with an ICF-certified coach, I would not be the best fit. 

If you agree with my approach and want to see results rather than adherence to a set of rules, read on. 

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What do coaching sessions consist of? 

1. This is not career coaching. I don’t look over client resumes or get them new jobs. But I do help clients prepare for upcoming interviews and presentations. 
2. This is not leadership coaching. I don’t advise on navigating organizational politics, or managing team dynamics. But I do help clients cultivate executive presence and hone an assertive communication style. 
3. This is not therapy. I am not a certified mental health professional and cannot help clients with anxiety and trauma. But I do help clients overcome limiting beliefs with principles from cognitive science, so they unlock authentic confidence. 

My coaching focuses specifically on professional communication, in a target and practical way. Together, we identify the common workplace situations you feel the most challenge speaking in. I design role-playing scenarios, simulated conversations and presentations, drills and exercises to develop your skill and confidence. Most sessions are devoted to learning by doing, with me coaching to help you master your own solutions, or mentoring/consulting when you get stuck and need expert guidance. 

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Does a coach need experience in my field to be effective? 

With “pure mentorship,” prior experience in the field is fundamental. You want a mentor who’s been where you are before, and can give “insider” advice. 

With coaching, on the other hand, working with an objective, “outside” expert presents a distinct advantage. My goal as a coach is not to understand your field. It’s to help you communicate effectively. Rather than getting pulled into the details, I can focus on clarity, structure, pacing, and engagement. I can pinpoint the blind spots and strategic gaps that exist and help you fill them. 

• For that reason, I have worked with clients in diverse fields from HR and education to finance (without having been an HR, education, or finance professional previously) to elevate their leadership communication and refine their high-stakes presentations. 
• If you do prefer to work with someone who understands your domain, this is mine: I often work with analytically-minded professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I have prior experience in research, biology, data, software engineering, and artificial intelligence. I understand how technical professionals think because I used to be one. 

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How do I know coaching will work for me? 

*We would not be a good fit if…

…you want me to tell you all the answers.

• As discussed above, that’s not how my clients best learn. 

…you don’t want to change.

• I deliver feedback compassionately and constructively. If you are not open to hearing how you can improve, I cannot help you. 

…you want quick fixes.

• Effective communication is not about learning hundreds of techniques. It’s about building a few, long-lasting habits. To that end, I give assignments in between sessions to reinforce what we covered. You get the most from my coaching programs if you come prepared and complete what I assign. 

…you want a cheap solution.

• Your executive presence is an investment. Your ability to influence decision-makers, and get the promotions and opportunities that financially accelerate your career, depends on your ability to communicate exceptionally.
• Executive coaches often charge tens of thousands of dollars to meet twice a month for 6 months. On the other end of the spectrum, coaches on freelance platforms like Upwork can charge as low as ten dollars an hour.
• I believe in ethical pricing that fairly reflects my expertise, and the long-term results clients obtain from my coaching programs. Most clients work with me in the range of $1000-$10,000 USD dollars for multi-month engagements. Rather than one-off sessions, these programs are customized to each client’s needs and come with continuous support + feedback. Below are select testimonials from past clients: 

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The relationship between coach and client is fundamental to a successful program. If everything you’ve read so far resonates with you and your values, I’d love to chat over a free consultation. Here’s what you can expect:

1. At the beginning of the call, I’ll learn more about you, your story, and what you’re hoping to gain from a communication coaching program with me.
2. Throughout the call, I’ll primarily ask questions to make sure I fully understand your priorities, and share more information about how I work with clients. 
3. Towards the end of the call, I’ll propose a few options for working together. I don’t believe in hard sells or unethical, manipulative sales techniques, so there will be no pressure to make a decision right away. I’ll send a formal proposal after the call outlining what we discussed, and give you the opportunity to review. 

You can set up your free consultation using my calendar below: 

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And if you haven’t yet, don’t forget to grab my free resources!