Can you share with us how you became passionate about public speaking and coaching? What led you to pursue this career path?
In 2007, I was invited by an older friend to join her to facilitate a training in Public Speaking and Presentation Skills. I had no prior experience, and so I was absolutely surprised when participants at that training gave rave reviews about my performance. As I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, I decided to stick with it. To hone my skill, I attended professional trainings, got certified by Dale Carnegie and Associates, worked with Dale Carnegie and Associates, became the first Senior Trainer in Nigeria, before I set out on my own. The rest like they say is history.
One major thing that makes me so passionate about my work as a coach is my unwavering desire to see professionals shine on stage whenever they have the opportunity to speak. I believe that performance on stage should match competence. We have too many competent professionals who are poor at expressing themselves, largely due to fear and ill preparation. I’m on a mission to turn this around.
With your extensive experience in moderating high-profile events, what have you found to be the biggest challenges faced by MCs and moderators? How do you help your clients overcome these challenges?
In my experience, the two most recurring challenges faced by those who are required to moderate events, are, poor self-belief and inadequate preparation. I have seen senior managers who trembled when they were asked to chair meetings, or when they were asked to moderate panels.
One might think these challenges would stifle only ‘newbies’ to the work place. Alas, that’s not the case at all, they transcend all the entire hierarchy of leadership, until they are properly dealt with. ‘Am I good enough?’ is the question that holds more people back than any other question I have encountered in my experience. To this, I help my clients develop self confidence and unleash their more powerful voice. I deploy research-based, tried and tested pathways to help my clients meet their elevated speaking goals.
‘Am I prepared enough?’ is the next question.
To this I show clients EXACTLY how to prepare and what to prepare for, by asking the right questions and gathering the right data per event, including the question – ‘what could go wrong?’ When my client is armed with the right answers, we see their confidence soar and they are ready to perform with excitement. Indeed I am grateful for the numerous clients who have become much more confident speakers, showing mastery when making presentations on any stage. Some who could hardly speak at in-house meetings, are now speaking on behalf of their organisations at global events.
What specific techniques or strategies do you employ in your coaching sessions to help individuals find their authentic voice and make a lasting impact as communicators?
In my 16 years of experience, I have found that clients can achieve quicker, more impactful results when the framework for the solution is simple, uncomplicated and can be deployed in a timely fashion.
Their speaking needs are usually urgent. I have therefore created different proprietary frameworks in steps and phases to empower my clients.
To help my clients find their authentic voice, we deploy a 3 phase framework that help us come to a place of oneness with self, and then we choose one specific anchor to help them stay grounded in the discovered or chosen voice.
To prepare my client to make a lasting impact as a speaker, we use another framework to course-correct mindset, structure and value of the presentation.
These techniques are very practical, and can be applied within 3 to 90 days to implement, depending on the state of mind of the client, and the urgency for growth.
In today’s fast-paced and diverse world, how do you assist your clients in tailoring their messages to effectively resonate with different audiences?
To create bespoke messages and messaging, one must understand self first, and then understand the audiences’ needs, wants, and aspirations.
I therefore help my clients use a technique that is 99.9% fullproof to determine these universal and specific audience aspirations, and then craft their message to fit. Due to the fast paced workplace, and depending on context, a client’s session could last anywhere from an hour to weeks.
Can you walk us through your coaching process? How do you personalise your approach to meet the unique needs of each client and help them excel in their MC and moderation roles?
My framework for personalised coaching to help my clients excel in various speaking and moderation roles is once again a simple one – I use the 5W’s and 1H framework – What, Why, Who, Where, When and How. No two client responses to this framework are the same, therefore, individual responses will guide us to create and craft personalized solutions.
Could you share a success story of a client who has undergone your coaching program and demonstrated remarkable growth in their MC or moderation skills?
What changes did they experience, and how did it impact their professional journey?
I have several success stories, I would pick a recent one. One of my clients – let’s call him John – was preparing to moderate a high stakes panel, where the panellists were renowned global leaders. John is a senior executive who already makes presentations, but had never had to moderate a panel, and was a bit unsure about how to navigate. His office hired me to help him maximise the opportunity.
Using a cocktail of tools, like predetermination, digging, linking, and planting, we prepared him to steer the conversation in the most interesting, relatable and practical way, that increased the depth of the conversation.
John was super confident as he was adequately prepared.
The unexpected, was that John, from that same event, was invited by one of the international organizations represented on the panel, to interview for a more senior role.
John is a few weeks away from starting his new job which will pay him about 43% more, plus offer better benefits for his family.
Another regular corporate client of mine, hired me to coach their Managing Director to become more flexible and more personable whilst making presentations. We had our first 4 sessions, some video recordings, clear assignments, and he did the work albeit a little resistant at first.
The feedback has been delightful, he is indeed more personable whilst presenting, engaging his audiences in more impactful ways. Himself and his team who hired me, are really pleased.
With public speaking being a skill that many people find intimidating, how do you help your clients build confidence and overcome their fear of speaking in front of audiences?
To help my clients become more confident and fearless, to speak before audiences of all sorts, I usually recommend they attend my online course Prepare To Speak, where we have specific tasks that help clients unpack their fears, unearth their mindset blocks, and then install their super powers and audience focus. It is such a game changer.
As an esteemed public speaking coach, how do you stay updated with the latest trends and techniques in the field? How do you ensure that your coaching remains relevant and effective?
To stay updated, I refresh my learnings, attend training, and very importantly, I constantly research what exactly my clients need, so my solutions have product-to-market fit.
What advice or tips would you give to individuals who aspire to excel as MCs and moderators? What are the key qualities or skills they need to develop?
For Event Moderators to excel, whether as new entrants or experienced personnel, we must be client-centric, audience-focused, keen listeners, avid learners, open minded, flexible, and adaptable team players. We must update ourselves with the goings-on of the industries our clients belong to, displaying high levels of emotional and social intelligence.
In your opinion, what sets you apart as a public speaking coach? How do you differentiate your coaching style and what do you believe is your unique contribution to your clients’ success? –
95% of my clients say I am the most engaging coach they have ever experienced. I use the most relatable tools to help my clients overcome their challenges and meet their goals. I help my clients DREAM first, then we work together to achieve their dreams of shining on stage.
Finally, what do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about your role as a public speaking coach, and what motivates you to continue empowering others to become influential communicators?
What I find most fulfilling and rewarding about being a public speaking coach, is that when my clients become more confident for the stage, they also become more confident and audacious about life. They begin to make generally better choices in other aspects of their lives. I have watched some ‘shy’ people become rallying points…the transformation is one to live for.
The world is constantly changed not by men and women with great ideas, but the world is changed by men and women who can communicate their ideas and desires.
Without the power of influential communication, ideas are powerless. Hence I remain motivated to empower thinkers, strategists, subject matter experts and professionals to transfer their world-changing ideas via impactful communication. I help them shine on stage.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
