From Awkward to Awesome: How Hiring a Conversation Coach Can Improve Your People Skills

Are you tired of feeling awkward and tongue-tied in social situations?

Do you want to improve your conversation skills and become more confident when interacting with others?

If so, it may be time to consider hiring a conversation coach.

A conversation coach is a professional who specializes in helping people improve their social skills and become more effective communicators at work and in their personal life.

Whether you struggle with small talk at networking events or find it challenging to express your thoughts and ideas in a clear and concise manner, a conversation coach can provide the personalized guidance you need to overcome these sticking points.

​With a coach’s expertise and guidance, you can transform from feeling awkward to exuding confidence in any social setting.

The importance of social skills in your personal and professional life

Social skills are a crucial component of our personal and professional lives. In our personal lives, they allow us to build meaningful relationships with family and friends.

​In our professional lives, they enable us to network, collaborate, and communicate effectively with coworkers, clients, and partners.

Good social skills can also have a positive impact on our happiness.

​Feeling comfortable and confident in social situations can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, leading to improved overall well-being.

What is a conversation coach?

A conversation coach is a professional who specializes in helping people improve their social skills and become more effective communicators.

​They provide personalized guidance and support in areas such as initiating and maintaining conversations, active listening, body language, and overcoming overthinking.

Conversation coaches are able to identify the specific areas in which their clients struggle and provide targeted advice and exercises to help them improve.

They may work with people one-to-one or in group sessions, depending on the client's needs.

Benefits of hiring a conversation coach

Working with a conversation coach can provide a wide range of benefits. Here are just a few:

1. Increased Confidence

One of the most significant benefits of working with a conversation coach is increased social confidence. By learning valuable techniques and strategies for navigating social situations, people can feel more comfortable and at ease when interacting with others.

2. Improved Communication Skills

Conversation coaches can provide guidance on how to express thoughts and ideas in a clear and concise manner. This can be particularly beneficial in professional settings, where effective communication can be the difference between success and failure.

3. Enhanced Listening Skills

Active listening is an essential component of effective communication. A conversation coach can teach people how to listen actively, which involves focusing on the speaker, asking questions, and summarizing what has been said.

4. Overcoming Overthinking

Overthinking can be a significant obstacle to effective communication. A conversation coach can provide techniques and exercises to help people overcome overthinking and become more present in social situations.

Common social skills challenges and how a conversation coach can help

Here are some common social skills challenges that people may face and how a conversation coach can help:

1. Small Talk

Small talk can be challenging for many people, particularly those who are introverted or shy. A conversation coach can provide guidance on how to initiate and maintain small talk, as well as how to transition to more meaningful conversations.

2. Storytelling

Many people struggle with telling compelling stories. They get lost in the details, or accidentally give an itinerary instead of a story.

A conversation coach can help you dial in your stories and have people hanging on your every word.

3. Public Speaking

Public speaking is a common fear for many people. You might just be running your Monday stand up meeting, but the fear is REAL.

A conversation coach can provide techniques and exercises to help people overcome their fear of public speaking and become more confident and effective presenters.

4. Body Language

Body language can play a significant role in how others perceive us.

​A conversation coach can provide guidance on how to use body language effectively in conversation, including maintaining eye contact, using open postures, and using appropriate facial expressions.

Techniques and exercises used by conversation coaches

Conversation coaches use a variety of techniques and exercises to help people improve their social skills. Here are a few examples:

1. Role-playing

Role-playing involves practicing social interactions in a safe and controlled environment. This can help people become more comfortable and confident when faced with similar situations in real life.

2. Mindfulness

Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises, can help people become more present and focused in social situations. This can be particularly useful for those who struggle with overthinking. 

3. Feedback and Reflection

Conversation coaches may provide feedback and reflection on social interactions to help people identify areas for improvement.

​This can be done through video recordings or written feedback.

How to find the right conversation coach for you

Finding the right conversation coach is essential to achieving your goals. Here are a couple of tips for finding the right coach:

1. Look for Experience

When searching for a conversation coach, look for someone with experience and qualifications in the field. This may include years of experience, or case studies by past clients.

2. Schedule Consultations

Many conversation coaches offer consultations to assess your needs and determine if they are a good fit for you. Schedule consultations with a few coaches to determine who you feel most comfortable working with.

​I offer a no-cost strategy session for potential clients. Feel free to apply here!

Case Study: Julia

Working with a conversation coach can have a significant impact on an individual's social skills and overall well-being. Here’s a case study from my client Julia:

Q: Talk a little bit about how life is different after coaching.  What sort of wins can you share?

A: “Before coming into coaching. I was very or pretty much your classic sitting at the back or in this case putting yourself on mute in the back of a meeting and just listen, and not really getting a chance to contribute, not knowing how to contribute, and always feeling lost in the conversation. 

But from coaching and from the tools I got from Become More Compelling the whole situation has flipped. I am actually initiating conversations in meetings.

I am getting to throw my ideas out and expressing them in a way that my teammates understand, can emphasize and can also then come to agree or share another viewpoint and that just helps us bounce ideas, and meetings now become so much more productive, and I am feeling that I am making a meaningful contribution just from being able to better centralize and express myself in this context.

I am much more confident as I've got this new found, as you said competence, in my ability to do social activities and handle myself in social conversations and contact videos." -Julia

Frequently asked questions about working with a conversation coach:

1. How long does it take to start seeing results?

The length of time it takes to see results can vary depending on the individual and their specific needs. However, many people see improvements within a few weeks.

2. How often should I meet with a conversation coach?

Every other week is a good cadence. Long enough to practice, and short enough to get consistent feedback and guidance from your coach.

3. How much does it cost to work with a conversation coach?

The cost of working with a conversation coach can vary depending on the coach's experience. Brand new coaches may only charge a few hundred dollars for a coaching package, while others may charge over $5,000.

4. Are you ready to do the work?

Hiring a coach isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it solution. It requires work.

It requires reflection and consistent action. Your coach can help guide you, but you have to decide that it’s something you want to devote time and effort to.

Embracing the journey from awkward to awesome

Improving your social skills can have a significant impact on your personal and professional life.

If you find yourself struggling in social situations, don't let overthinking hold you back!

Next Step: Apply For A No-Cost Strategy Session!

If you've been thinking about leveling up your communication and social skills, and you'd like to learn more about my private coaching services click here.

 

Apply For Private Coaching