7 Things I Wish I'd Known About Executive Speaking Coaches Before Hiring One

Benefits from the expertise of an executive speaking coach are multifaceted, encompassing more than mere improvement in verbal communication. My initial engagement with a coach was driven by a desire to enhance my public speaking abilities. However, I soon realized there were many aspects I had not considered prior to this endeavor. In retrospect, I wish I had known these seven essential points about executive speaking coaches.

• The Holistic Approach
  The executive speaking coach's role extends far beyond the realm of enunciation, projection, and pitch. Their approach is inherently holistic, touching upon body language, confidence levels, persuasive strategies, and even personal branding. Rooted in the principles of human behavioral science and psychology, they assess the entire communicative repertoire of an executive, which includes non-verbal cues, emotional intelligence, and leadership presence.
• The Personalized Regime
  Each executive is unique in communication style, personality, and leadership. Therefore, a coach does not impose a one-size-fits-all methodology but tailors a personalized regime that enhances the executive’s natural abilities while mitigating weaknesses. This custom approach, known within the coaching industry as 'coaching for development,' is akin to what psychologist Carl Rogers referred to as 'person-centered therapy,' emphasizing the value and potential of the individual.
• The Decoding of Audience Psychology
  A significant part of being an effective speaker is understanding your audience. This is where executive speaking coaches draw from the field of social psychology. They assist executives in crafting messages that resonate with the audience by tapping into empathetic understanding and recognizing shared needs and goals. Social psychologist Robert Cialdini’s principles of persuasion become relevant in this context.
• The Rigorous Practice
  An executive speaking coach employs a rigorous practice regime, similar to the iterative algorithmic procedures in computer science. The process of feedback, analysis, improvement, and practice becomes a cyclic chain for iterative improvement. Just like in a nested loop, each practice iteration refines the executive's speaking skills, gradually edging closer to their ideal performance.
• The Investment Perspective
  Engaging an executive speaking coach is an investment. The financial commitment is significant, but the returns, in terms of career advancement and personal growth, are manifold. Consider the economic principle of 'Return on Investment' (ROI). The gains from improved communication, in terms of professional opportunities and personal branding, significantly outweigh the initial cost.
• The Role of Technology
  Advancements in technology have transformed the field of executive speaking coaching. Platforms equipped with artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms can provide instant, detailed feedback on various aspects of public speaking. However, technology should complement, not replace, the human coach. While AI can analyze speech patterns and body language, it cannot yet match a human coach's ability to provide context-specific advice or encouragement.
• The Emotional Journey
  The process of engaging an executive speaking coach is often an emotional journey. You expose your vulnerabilities, face your fears, and challenge your comfort zones. Coaching techniques often borrow from the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), encouraging a shift in mindset and self-perception.

To summarize, the role of an executive speaking coach is far more comprehensive than one might initially anticipate. Their expertise draws from an eclectic mix of fields, including psychology, economics, technology, and therapy. The journey can be a transformative experience, yielding dividends that extend beyond the ability to deliver an impressive speech. Looking back, understanding these seven points would have provided a clearer perspective and better preparation for my coaching engagement. While the financial commitment may seem steep, the return on investment is significant, both professionally and personally.