The crux was wanting credibility in the workplace,
and not holding myself back professionally.
I’d had feedback a few times that my communication could be improved.
My challenges were reporting upward and engaging in discussion with the higher-ups.
When the company was small and just starting, the communication was very casual and the stakes lower.
The company is now 100 people more and revenue increased significantly. So it’s evolved to more ‘high stake’ conversations.
I was mentally stuck in that small company, and what’s required of me is a different communication skill set.
I found communication changed as I moved up the ranks.
Leading my team in a managerial position, it’s communication up and down, it’s not one size fits all, and becomes even more important.
Certain situations seniors felt I was a bit incoherent. I was outside my comfort zone because it’d risk questions which felt like an attack.
Or I’d choose not to enter conversations at all. Literally placing myself on the outside of those boardroom meetings and not engaging fully, or just slipping out of the room.
I’d played around with being to the point to very in depth answers. I also thought if I enunciate better, maybe people will understand. But if you don’t think about what you’re saying, regardless of how clear you speak, you’re not going to make sense. And you can’t ask AI to tell you how to talk better!
When it came my time to shine, I wasn’t putting my best foot forward, and really wanted to change that.
To become a clearer communicator day to day and gain the skills to engage in those bigger discussions.
Feeling that if I got involved more would help progress my career.
To not to impose a ceiling on myself where I think my communication would open doors in the future.
I’d no idea where to begin, and it was easier to put it off.
So I decided to seek out help from Matt.
It’s interesting because I work with a marathon coach and at the beginning thought,
- I can run, do I really need a coach?
But then oh, I can actually learn a lot working with someone, if I just open my mind to being coached.
I thought coaching has worked for me in other parts of my life, maybe I can now bring it to the professional sphere.
Some initial concerns were,
Will it work?
Will I be a better communicator at the end?
Will it be a waste of time?
It’s not been, for sure. I’m definitely better.
Am I important enough to have a communication coach?
Do I deserve one?
Is this something only CEOs do?
I think we can all benefit regardless of position, it’s not just for executive suite.
Will I spend a chunk of money for nothing to show?
Is it the right investment?
Is Matt the right guy?
The initial call was really reassuring. I felt ok there’s gonna be some real benefits here. This is a good investment.
Will I have to get uncomfortable?
I’m thinking Matt will ask and probe and I’ll have to be honest that I’m not amazing at communicating.
Worry I’ll have to be vulnerable here!
The sessions went deep but I was always holding the steering wheel and it was never too much.
The reviews on his website and being a native speaker, this was very important.
And he isn’t course based.
From our initial conversations I felt very reassured.
When we met I thought ‘ok, this is something Matt excels at’.
It felt like a great fit.
The questions Matt asked me showed an approach that made me think
‘Oh, Matt’s actually asking me some really good questions here that I’ve not thought about!
I think this guy could uncover some good stuff.’
As a communication coach, how you communicate is your best form of marketing.
How Matt communicates speaks for itself.
He has a great style that gets to the point with no waffle.
Talking clearly and with intention. So I thought a great role model for me.
His communication reassured me I’m in good hands.
I’d looked around and seen some websites that were course based.
They seemed a bit closed and quite hands off.
Like a training plan for a marathon.
You could download one, but it doesn’t pick up the nuances of your history of running and current fitness.
I would have maybe gained some skills but not tackled root issues or causes of my communication challenges.
Whereas a custom plan and working with someone like Matt with an exploratory conversation based approach actually gets me to where I want to be.
I tried not to come with any preconceived notion, to let Matt coach me.
He’s done a great job of flipping my script and making me think.
He’s been very good at getting me to what I’m trying to achieve.
Helping me get there, not just telling me what to do.
I felt in the driving seat the whole time and getting myself to where I’m trying to go, but Matt guiding and coaching me there.
I felt comfortable and very reassured.
Our sessions were something I looked forward to.
Giving me food for thought and challenging me on what I’m saying and getting at.
Then having lightbulb moments. Making me reflect on my skills and where I’m trying to go.
Taking the time to think around my communication.
Dedicating time to this each week for 4 months has been really beneficial.
But it doesn’t end with the session, it then filters down into the following days and it’s at the forefront of your mind.
I’ve never done any kind of coaching like this before.
There were some very interesting sessions really getting me to think and reflect.
I felt Matt wouldn’t let me wriggle away from where I’m trying to get to.
It’s like OMG, Matt’s actually making me work here!
Working to figure out what is it I’m really trying to achieve.
From there things began to open up noticing different areas needed work on.
Tough, but by being open and honest we’re finding things, and by the end really seeing the areas of improvement.
And putting me in the drivers seat was the best thing Matt did.
Helping me get clear on exactly what I want to improve rather than just presenting a solution that may not have been the thing I needed.
I really liked working with him, an approach that’s very calming and gets the best out of me.
He’s very friendly and I always looked forward to our calls.
It was Matt’s style.
I really enjoyed how reflective it was.
But he also has a great ability to hone in.
A way of asking questions to land on 'what’s the challenge? What are we trying to solve here?'
A sense we’ve really gone somewhere with this and found a solution.
This way of being reflective, honing in and helping me get to what I’m trying to figure out with incredible accuracy has been very impressive.
Uncovering key points that I probably would have never got to on my own.
I remember one session where we spoke about the benefit of doing this. Making me ask myself ’what am I trying to achieve here? And what are the problems?
One exercise really got me to self reflect and spark internal questioning.
Which was really great.
My communication no longer holds me back.
I’m coming across clearer, more credible and trustworthy with the higher-ups.
I’m inviting questions, not shying away from them, and conversations are more level and fruitful.
One session was a big unlock.
Through just a small pivot in my communication, I’ve been able to reassure seniors I have everything under control.
A little pivot, but a big impact on my communication skills in the professional sphere.
Slowing down has been a big change, it’s been mentally beneficial and quite freeing.
Before I was caught in the rat race, rushing around and everything needs to be instantaneous.
Now I’ve slowed down and approach life, work and communication with more intention, clearer and more present.
Not just saying whatever comes to mind first and asking myself have all the points been covered?
It’s been a benefit to me, as well as the people in my life, as we’re able to connect on a deeper level.
Being able to meet with the same energy and communication style.
I’m always authentic and never put on a front, but being clearer with my team means they’re reassured in me as a leader.
I get the feeling they’d say
‘Jonathan really takes the time with us, he explains clearly, knows what he’s talking about and we trust this guy to lead us to the goals.’
I try not to forget that as a leader you’re shaping people’s careers.
I’m trying to be the best one I can.
Not only imparting technical skills and getting projects done, but also be a manager who can help others grow in the skills of communication.
So for me this work with Matt has also been a reflection on ‘What does a leader look like to the team?’
It’s been quite an unlock to think around that aspect of my leadership.
And communication is really critical and key.
Yes, definitely. It’s been a pleasure working with Matt.
I really enjoyed our sessions, and definitely recommend him as a coach, no hesitations.
It’s been very beneficial to reflect on what’s holding me back, where I’m trying to go, what I’m trying to achieve.
To tackle root issues and causes of my communication challenges.
To someone considering this, perhaps be open and honest with yourself and ask ‘is your communication really the best it could be?’
You don’t need to be a high-flyer to have a communication coach.
It can really benefit you to bring this to the forefront for a few months and work with Matt to focus on this aspect of your life.
You’ll unlock more meaningful and better conversations with those around you, professionally and personally.
Do the consultation.
Be open and honest.
And the journey will unfold.
