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Do You Need A Speech Coach?
The Advantages Of Hiring A Presentation
Consultant
Bill Cole, MS, MA
With all the hundreds of books written about how to write
and give a speech, why would anyone want to hire a speech
coach? Why would they need one with the huge number of videos
and DVDs on speech-giving success? Why do people feel the
need to take large group classes on presentation skills when
they can simply learn the material on their own?
Why do some people like the guidance of a private speech coach?
One answer is that they can't learn it on their own. Another
is that people enjoy being with a real person they can interact
with when learning. Still another is that learning the "facts
and nuts and bolts" about giving a speech is not the entire
speech. There's much. much more.
- There's the almost ineffable mental and emotional side
of a presentation.
- There's the artistry of how to construct, stage and perform
a memorable speech.
- There's the ability to read the audience and being able
to give them what they want and what they need.
In short, books on public speaking serve
a wonderful purpose, but for anyone serious about being excellent
on the platform, they are usually not enough.
People looking for a presentation coach ask, "What are the
advantages to having a speech coach?" The number one answer
is personalized feedback. A coach can help you see what you
are doing and make simple adjustments that can save you months
and years of trial and error on your own.
Here are some of the reasons people say they are glad they
have a coach at their side. Coaching helps them:
1. Learn to speak like a leader.
2. Master the art of the high-stakes presentation.
3. Jump up a level faster than any book can teach.
4. Practice their talks in a safe, low-pressure environment.
5. Practice variations of their speech and make mid-course
adjustments in the moment.
In short, the major reasons to hire a presentation coach for
one-on-one training, instead of taking a public speaking class
or reading a book are these:
1. To rapidly shorten your learning curve.
2. To get personalized, custom feedback on the spot.
3. To instantly reduce mistakes you are making on the platform.
4. The value add a coach brings to the table.
If you find the right coach for you, the synergy can be magical.
You'll make more progress than you ever dreamed. Remember
that there are various levels of presentation coaches. Here
are some of the attributes of a top-flight presentation coach.
Such a coach:
1. Has the judgment to know what will work for you, and what
will not.
2. Knows what to do right away for your level of experience.
3. Can go any direction you like at any moment.
4. Knows what speaking advice to avoid.
5. Is or was on the speaking circuit.
6. Has written speeches for people.
7. Regularly publishes articles on presentation skills.
8. Maintains a busy coaching practice.
9. Has many satisfied speech coaching clients from numerous
fields.
If you are one of those people who learn well from books,
audios and videos, more power to you. You may still want to
consider working with a speech coach to fill in the gaps that
these learning aids can't address.
Dream about your goals in speaking, set some objectives and
time lines, assess your strengths and weaknesses, and then
decide if you have the tools and abilities to go where you
want to go. If you want to go higher than you dreamed and
get there faster, with less stress, consider working with
a presentation coach.
Good luck to you!
To learn more about how presentation coaching can help you
become a better, more confident speaker, visit Bill Cole,
MS, MA, the Mental Game Coach™ at www.PresentationSkillsCoaching.com.
Copyright © Bill Cole, MS, MA 2005, 2011 All rights reserved.
This article covers only one small part of the mental game.
A complete mental training program includes motivation and
goal-setting, pre-event mental preparation, post-event review
and analysis, mental strengthening, self-regulation training,
breath control training, mental rehearsal, concentration training,
pressure-proofing, communication training, confidence-building,
breaking through mental barriers, slump prevention, mental
toughness training, flow training, relaxation training, psych-out
proofing and media training.
For a comprehensive overview of your mental abilities
you need an assessment instrument that identifies your complete
mental strengths and weaknesses. For a free, easy-to-take
66-item presentation skills assessment tool you can score
right on the spot, visit http://www.presentationskillscoaching.com/presentation_skills_assessment.html.
This assessment gives you a quick snapshot of your strengths
and weaknesses in your mental game. You can use this as a
guide in creating your own mental training program, or as
the basis for a program you undertake with Bill Cole, MS,
MA to improve your mental game. This assessment would be an
excellent first step to help you get the big picture about
your mental game of speaking and giving presentations.
Bill Cole, MS, MA, a leading authority on peak performance, mental toughness
and coaching, is founder and President of the International Mental Game Coaching
Association, https://www.mentalgamecoaching.com.
Bill is also founder and CEO of William B. Cole Consultants, a consulting firm that helps
organizations and professionals achieve more success in business, life and sports.
He is a multiple Hall of Fame honoree, an award-winning scholar-athlete, published
book author and articles author, and has coached at the highest levels of major-league
pro sports, big-time college athletics and corporate America. For a free, extensive
article archive, or for questions and comments visit him at www.MentalGameCoach.com.
Article Source: www.PresentationSkillsCoaching.com
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