Who is Your Trusted Adviser?

To build on your public speaking skills, we at Ty Boyd, Inc. are big believers in practice. If you practice, you will be ready, you will be effective and you will succeed as a communicator. Through practice, you will learn to make better use of your voice, to stand tall, to move effectively, and to connect with your audience. All of your speaking tools become more polished with practice.

Practice is important, but getting feedback also helps on the journey to becoming an effective communicator. Not just any old feedback; honest feedback. And that's not always an easy thing to get. Colleagues are often hesitant to offer reviews of their peers and even less willing to share their bona fide opinions with their managers.

Many of us have a trusted adviser - somebody who wants us to succeed, who believes in us, and who can tell us the truth while being supportive. If you do not have somebody - or a few somebodies - like that in your professional life, you need to cultivate those relationships. Before you can get honest feedback on your speaking skills, you need to have built a sense of trust and respect with an adviser who has your back, but will give it to you straight.

Once you have established a rapport, you create an opportunity to be coached. Don't confuse constructive criticism with coaching; despite the term, most constructive criticism isn't constructive or beneficial because it puts you on the defensive. The distinction is subtle, but important to the faculty at Ty Boyd, Inc. A Ty Boyd coach is someone who invests in your growth, believes you can do better, and works with you to do so. Our coaches are trusted advisers who help clients discover their own authentic style and voice. If you are interested in discussing how a communications coach would work for you, please let us know.