One-on-one coaching that helps leaders sound like themselves, at their sharpest — in the boardroom and the all hands, on the earnings call and under the lights, and in the everydayness of leading a team.
Whether reporting earnings on CNBC, testifying before a Congressional committee, or taking questions at an internal Town Hall, senior leaders are the voice and the face of the company.
How they communicate in those moments — and in the everyday ones in between — is a critical component of how effectively they lead, never more so than in the context of the competitive business environment today.
I coach C-suite executives, senior leaders, and physician-scientists one-on-one. The leaders I work with are already accomplished. The work is elevating their leadership communication by translating the complexity of their expertise into a narrative that lands and enabling them to show up with authority, whether the room holds five people or five hundred.
Commanding, not commandeering, a room with respected presence, in the big moments and the small.
Translating the leader’s expertise into a clear, compelling Story Flow Narrative, a Stump Speech that sounds like them.
Navigating Q&A like chess, rather than ping-pong, from earnings calls to Board reviews to investor engagements, and beyond.
Developing an intuitive ‘intention map’ so even brief encounters with a busy executive advance the agenda.
Improving followership during Town Halls, all hands, and team interactions, where employees are always listening to what a leader says by how they say it.
Every engagement is customized, but my method is consistent. Before a leader walks into any room, we address two questions — What am I meant to do? and Am I ready? — and then we shape the readiness skills to deliver. Together we identify a clear ambition for the encounter, create a story arc that connects to the audience, and assign a point of view to every number, so the data mean something rather than just adding noise.
In each session I give candid, specific feedback on both the substance and the signals — what I call T.A.D. (Tone, Attitude & Demeanor), including pace, tone, body language, and demeanor — that determine for the audience whether the story is credible and compelling.
Coaching runs as a consistent program of sessions shaped to the objective, from a single high-stakes event to a multi-year partnership through transition and growth. For broader mandates, we can open with confidential “mini-360” short feedback calls with three to five colleagues to pinpoint where the coaching will have the greatest impact. I take on a small number of clients at any one time.
“I have really smart people, but they provide too much detail — and that ends up taking too much of my time.”
A CEO · on why we coach for the executive encounter
Development for leaders who are already performing well and want to get sharper, or who are preparing for a high-stakes engagement.
Setting strategy and motivating teams through transformation and growth.
Stepping into a bigger seat, building authority, and sharpening how they show up week to week, in the ‘everydayness’ of leading.
Translating complex data for investors, regulators, the Board, and the media.
Performing under scrutiny, on camera and on the record.
“Colleen changed my life — the way I think, the way I lead. From investors to creatives, she has taught me how to motivate teams and drive results through strategic narrative.”
Let’s talk about what’s ahead — and how to be ready for it.
Start a conversation →A proven Message Mapping process that turns expertise into an actionable Story Flow Narrative.
Explore →Preparing leaders to perform under scrutiny — on camera, on the record, and on stage.
Explore →Equipping teams for a cohesive, persuasive performance and mastery of Q&A.
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