Executive Coaching Evaluation

The following speech evaluation was conducted for a senior manager at Cisco Systems April 3, 2005.

Positives

Summary:

One of your strongest characteristics is your engaging style, and seemingly natural ability to connect with small audiences. You come across personably, naturally, authentically…but credibly. You also have a strong grasp of the subject, and ability to communicate it in a way that connects with technical audiences.
• Ex: In Intros, nice touch asking what they want to hear about
• Using words like “sharing strategy” vs “corp. overview”
• Great eye contact, speaking directly to individuals
• Use of personal stories at times (ex: Sister and brother is a doctor) or Playing the Canadian card (”….”Just flew in from Canada with some of you…” )
• Great interaction with audience, taking questions, honestly responding

2. Physical techniques are also very effective
• Good use of gestures, naturally.
• Body language always positive, natural.
• Use of props like phones are effective. (use of the phone is a great example…getting away from relying on all slides, using something people can relate to).

3. Content
• Good use of case studies and examples.
• Health care makes for a great case study (showing the real benefits of an integrated network), although in one EBC it felt like it took too long to get to it.
• Great explanations of Cisco strategy—system oriented, end to end,etc..These resonate with audiences (and stronger than other speakers I’ve seen, including Richardson).

Areas of Improvement

One key area to think about, paradoxically, also involves your (engaging) style and personality. There’s a balance between being conversational/engaging (approachable) and authoritative. Normally you seem to walk the line and balance both, but at times you can slip too far into engaging mode. (May have happened in Pepsico EBC). The result is, while you do come across as approachable, you get off message and may lose some of your authority.

A related issue is that, at times, you seem to be trying to contain your energy, to pull back some while you gauge the audience. Audiences prefer dynamic, driven speakers; even if they don’t agree with you they’ll admire you more if you come across with energy and passion. In fact, your energy and passion for this subject is one of your greatest strengths, so don’t be afraid of showing it.

Other Suggestions:

• Keep on message. Have 3 messages that you want to get across—that people will walk away with—and stick to them. Drive them home and summarize them clearly at end (“If you don’t remember anything else…”)
• Keep a conscious watch on the clock. If you feel you’re spending too much time engaging or answering questions from one person, tell them you’ll be available to answer more detailed questions later.
• Slow down. At times, it feels like you’re rushing through the slides. Ex: in the CIBC EBC, you could have slowed down on the Customer Focus slide.
• Use more pauses to accent key points, at times exaggerated ones (“pregnant pauses.”) . Give the audience more time to digest the info.
• Consider turning off the projector to make a critical point, as if you’re speaking directly to them, sharing something important (at times slides get in the way of your messages).
• Keep your voice energized. At times your voice fades and becomes too soft, weak at other times. Work on keeping it energized.
• Body movement: You tend to stay in one place. Try using little more of the room, but deliberately (not random). Ex: you might cross the front of the room to speak to one person, then turn to the whole group to make your overall point.
• Avoid putting both hands in pockets=weak position (body shrinks, loses strong presences). (Try one hand in pocket or keeping them by your side)
• Try using more humor and personal stories to brighten up a dry subject (ex: find something in the news to lead off with or play off your Canadian perspective of American practices). Also use striking, punchier words.

Going Forward:
• Continue to give speeches outside of Cisco, such as the University of Ottawa speech. This will expand your reach to new audiences and opportunities, while allowing you to hone your speaking skills. It’s also just a good way to contribute back to the community, helping shine a light on educational and other subjects.
©2005 Ivy & Ivey Communications. All rights reserved.