Group vs Private Speech Coaching: Pros and Cons
Executives and emerging leaders often need to develop or refine their communication or presentation skills, especially, when their sound is misaligned with their role. As a highly-valued leader, your company will be willing to invest in your development. Two options to consider are individual or group coaching. Both options have positives and negatives which are discussed below. Let’s get started…..
Individual coaching – working one-on-one with a coach to polish and improve your speech, language, and voice skills in order to communicate clearly, confidently, and concisely.
Pros:
- Private coaching programs are typically customized for your specific communication issues and learning style.
- An experienced speech trainer or coach will ensure you gain sufficient proficiency to immediately transfer the skills to your next speaking event.
- Privacy can be guaranteed through contracts or non-disclosure agreements.
- Coaching sessions are generally provided at a time and location that works best for you.
- Great for leaders who are seeking short term advice.
Cons:
- Private coaching is a skills based, behavior modification learning process that requires commitment and patience on your part. Unfortunately, your personal assistant cannot do this for you.
- Selecting a speech trainer or coach may seem like an overwhelming process. Speech coaches are highly variable in their professional backgrounds, experience, instructional philosophies, and coaching processes.
- Speech coaching at the executive level is an under recognized field of expertise. Many executives and leaders struggle far too long with their public speaking anxieties because they do not know the services exist.
Group Coaching – a facilitated group process that is led by a professional coach and is formed with the intention of maximizing the combined energy, experience, and wisdom of individuals who want to achieve organizational objectives and/or individual goals.
Pros:
- Groups are a safe environment to receive encouraging feedback from the coach and your group peers on vocal delivery and speech structure. There are opportunities to practice and resolve some of your fears associated with speaking.
- Group coaching is a “less on the spot” environment, give you more time to reflect and integrate their insights.
Cons:
- Groups require time and commitment. The demands of your position may limit your time to prepare speeches and attend group sessions.
- You may occasionally require feedback on speeches that contain industry sensitive content.Privacy in a group class is not guaranteed.
Working with Lynda from Clearly Speaking will result in self-confidence to give a presentation and engage with a senior level audience. Whichever option you choose is better than doing nothing. Would you like to learn more about how to choose a coach. Sign-up below for this free, comprehensive guide, “How to Select a Communication Coach: 12 Great Questions to Ask.”