Why Leadership Communication Fails

Do these leadership challenges apply to you?

• Are you facing challenges in effectively communicating your ideas or vision to others?
• Do you lack confidence speaking in public or in high-stakes meetings?
• Are you looking to improve your leadership presence or executive presence?
• Are your conversations and presentations engaging, or do you often feel that you are losing your audience's attention?
• Are you navigating a career transition (e.g., moving into a higher-level role or changing industries)?
• Do you struggle with balancing professional goals with personal growth and self-awareness?
• Do you find it difficult to receive feedback or struggle to implement constructive criticism?
• Are you stuck in a leadership or speaking style that no longer feels authentic or effective?
• Do you want to enhance your ability to influence or persuade others in professional settings?
• Are you looking to create a long-term, strategic plan for personal and professional growth?

Do you want to Talk like TED?

As well as being a SXSW Pitch Coach, I have been a TEDMED Speaker Coach (it's a bit like Film or Stage Directing) and worked with over 300 speakers for 6 TEDMED conferences (the geeky health arm of TED). 

Speakers at TEDMED have included the U.S. Surgeon General, U.S. Army Surgeon Generals and business and academic leaders in the health sector. 

I have also turned around and run businesses, been on numerous interview panels, and been interviewed in the media. So, wherever you are in your career, I can help you communicate better. 

Communicating well (upwards, downwards, sideways, internal, and external) is acknowledged as the key soft skill for advancing and maintaining your career trajectory.

Advantages of Executive Coaching

• Enhanced Self-Awareness 
• Improved Communication Skills
• Increased Confidence
• Better Decision-Making
• Enhanced Leadership Presence
• Stronger Emotional Intelligence
• Effective Time Management
• Better Work-Life Balance
• Leadership Development
• Strategic Career Growth
• Clarity of Communication

Case Study One

One CEO and their team were hiding behind the generic and meaningless word quality in their marketing and sales.  

I challenged them to unpack that zero-evidence word to explain and justify their claim. To make it relevant, gritty, tangible, and honest. 

It was incredibly unsettling for the CEO and the Commercial and Production team at first, but after they went through the exercise, they had a much better understanding of who they were and what they were selling.

They stopped focusing on price, tiny margins, and being a "me too" product. Beyond my brief, but hey? 

Case Study Two

A client discussed a controversial current affairs theme on the BBC and received praise from a coach retained by her firm. 

I think she just wanted to get another contract. You don't care - if you tell me it was good, I will believe you. But, I think I could have been so much better. I need to be ready for these rare media opportunities. Help me. We need to fix me, fast.  

Case Study Three

I was asked by a prominent leader's Chief of Staff to help prepare them for a "Big-ticket" event. 

I am so glad they contacted you. I have enough Yes-People. No matter what I say or do to encourage them to be candid, they always pull their punches. It's just how it is. I need and trust your brutal honesty. I can feel that you're on my side. 

Should you hire Peter Botting? 

I am sooo far from perfect. The fact is, I am not for everyone. I am blunt, I ask dumb questions, and I challenge. A lot. But...

...leaders repeatedly tell me that they have clarified, formulated, and sometimes adjusted their thinking by having to explain and defend their "thing" to me. 

I am tough and demanding. I will push you, and it may (should) be uncomfortable at times, plus you will need to do your work. But if I say your content and delivery are good, they are. 

8 Reasons NOT to Work with Peter Botting 

1. You want validation, not feedback. I am not that kind of adviser. 
2. You want to outsource the job - I help YOU DO.
3. You are not prepared to put in the effort.
4. You don't know where you want to be - no clear goals, direction, or ambitions. (Although we can help you focus on these!)
5. You are not prepared to invest time and money in yourself.
6. You are sceptical about the value of advice. 
7. You fear vulnerability and refuse to be open and honest 
   
8. You are resistant to change 

Myths about Executive Coaching

I am NOT a Natural Leader or Speaker

Bill Clinton was coached. So was Barack Obama. 

This won't work for Me

I guarantee it will. You will get better and you will do it faster.  

Narrative Advisory is too Expensive

What if your salary went up 30%?

Personal Development Takes too much Time 

Learning does take time and effort. Fact. 

This type of advisory work is only for Senior Leaders

How do you think they became senior leaders?

Executive Coaching is only for Client-facing Roles

Everybody has to communicate with peers and bosses. 

I want to remain Authentic.

My job is not to create clones, but to get you into a higher gear. 

Narrative advisory is only for "Big Ticket" Events

The audience defines the importance of an event, not the audience size. I advised a startup CEO pitching Jeff Bezos and 8 others. That was a big event.