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Coaching

TEDx Speaker & Public Speaking Coach

Soft Skills Coaching
Presentation Skills
Speaking on Video/Online

Soft Skills Coaching

Since 2008, Sam’s clients have included high-flying executives, school children, charities, care organisations, corporate teams, and entrepreneurs. She works with anyone who wants to make personal improvement, soffering everything from soft skills development to neurodiversity coaching services.

Not everyone is born with the ability to communicate effectively, relate to others, or see how to be most effective in a group of mixed talent. Soft skills is a suite of characteristics that enhance a persons’ abilities by making them more effective in translating them to others.

The following is a list of the topics that can be covered during coaching and training sessions:

The image shows a young Black woman in a light grey blazer and white top sitting at a desk, speaking confidently to three people seated opposite her. The three listeners, two men and one woman, are seen from behind and are attentively engaged in the conversation. The setting is a modern, bright office with minimalist decor, including a wooden shelving unit, a desk with a laptop, a potted plant, and a floor lamp. The atmosphere suggests a professional interview.

Employment/Job Search skills

Job Advert. Job Description. Application. Interview. Day one. Induction. First week. Promotions. Portfolio Careers. Temporary Work. Disclosure.  Asking for reasonable adjustments, accommodations and adaptations

The image shows a diverse group of six young professionals gathered around a table in a bright, modern office space. A woman with curly hair, wearing a blue and white checked shirt and pink trousers, is standing and speaking while holding papers. The others, including a man in a checked shirt and a woman in a striped top, are seated and attentively listening, smiling and engaged in the discussion. The table is cluttered with notebooks, papers, coffee cups, and stationery, indicating a collaborative meeting or brainstorming session. The atmosphere is friendly and productive.

Teamwork

Followership. Leadership. Empowering others. Building trust. Building rapport. Socialising. Networking. Connecting with remote workers. Negotiations. Personal development. Team development. Reward and recognition. Preparation for meetings and working with others. Handling deadlines.
The image shows a young man and woman sitting at a black table in a modern, minimalistic room. The man, wearing glasses and a beige jacket with a patch on the sleeve, is looking at a laptop screen and holding a notebook. The woman, also wearing glasses and a striped black-and-white sweater over a green shirt, is holding an open black notebook and a pencil, appearing to explain or discuss something. They are engaged in a focused conversation or study session. In the background, there is a brown leather sofa and a tall green plant against a white wall. The atmosphere is calm and collaborative.

Communication at work

Giving and receiving feedback. Giving and receiving instructions. Asking for what you want. Presentation skills. Report writing. Stakeholder management. Email etiquette. DiSC. Handling silence. Handling interruptions. Asking for clear direction. Getting to the point sooner. Listening skills. Telling others at work how to support you (especially during a meltdown/shutdown). Maintaining concentration when you are not interested. Sequential tasks vs multi-tasking. Communicating ideas. Writing a business case. Asking questions. Neurodiversity terminology. Info dumping. Asking for detailed joining instructions.
The image shows a young woman with blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, sitting at a white desk in a simple, neutral-coloured room. She is wearing an orange t-shirt and appears stressed or frustrated, with her elbows resting on the desk and her hands covering her ears while she looks intently at an open laptop in front of her. On the desk, there is a turquoise mug and a pair of white headphones. The overall mood conveys tension or difficulty, possibly related to work or study.

Personal

Emotional dysregulation. Creating and sticking to new habits. Reframing things. Rumination. Reward and recognition. Boundaries. Managing the feeling of taking up space. Managing your spite-monkey. Comparison thinking. Planning self-care. One calendar for everything. Improving working memory. Initiating tasks. Managing energy. Managing hyper-focus. Celebrating your achievement. The reality of mind-reading. Nutrition. Eating disorders. Assistive tools. Anxiety. Depression. Managing dopamine and serotonin. Getting chores done at home. Medication. Managing strong emotions. Sleep disorders. Insomnia. Control issues. Breathing differently. Body doubling for tasks. Travel anxiety.
The image shows a man in a grey suit and glasses sitting at a desk, looking visibly stressed and overwhelmed. He is covering his ears with his hands, trying to block out the noise or distractions around him. Surrounding him are four colleagues, each holding different devices such as smartphones, a tablet, and a pen, all trying to get his attention simultaneously. The colleagues are dressed in business attire and appear to be speaking or gesturing towards him, creating a busy and pressuring atmosphere. The overall mood conveys stress, overload, and the challenge of managing multiple demands at once.

Co-occurring conditions

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). Dyslexia. Dysgraphia. Prosopagnosia. Dyspraxia. Dyscalculia. Aphasia. Synaesthesia. Aphantasia. Executive Dysfunction. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).
The image shows a diverse group of five young adults sitting around a wooden table in a cozy café setting. They are all smiling and engaged, looking at a smartphone held by one of the women. On the table, there are several white coffee cups, saucers, and plates with pastries, suggesting a relaxed social gathering. The background is softly blurred, focusing attention on the group’s joyful interaction and camaraderie. The overall mood is warm, friendly, and lively.

Socialising

Disclosure. Small talk. Building rapport. Asking questions. Responding to social questions. Networking. Info dumping. Taking turns in conversation. Handling interruptions. Interrogating. Being too blunt. Listening skills. Becoming more charismatic. Managing your enthusiasm/energy in a group. Handling parties. Taking things literally. Empathy vs sympathy.
The image shows a business meeting in a modern office with five professionals around a wooden table. A woman standing at the head of the table is speaking emphatically and pointing to a blank clipboard she is holding, appearing frustrated or assertive. Four colleagues are seated, listening with varied reactions: one woman is focused on writing notes, one man is resting his chin on his hand looking thoughtful, another man is looking at the speaker attentively, and the fourth man has his head in his hand, appearing stressed or overwhelmed. The table has laptops, notebooks, glasses of water, and papers, indicating an intense discussion or disagreement. The background features a whiteboard and office shelving.

Challenges at work

Conflict. Handling difficult conversations or situations. Bullying. Prioritising workload. Managing expectations. Handling micro-managers. Procrastination. Pathological Demand Avoidance. Time management. Environmental issues. Goal setting. Managing a busy calendar or multiple calendars. Boundaries and saying “No”. Reframing things. Anticipation and planning. Initiating tasks. Why “Eat that Frog” doesn’t work for a ND mind. Managing strong emotions. Handling change.

Presentation Coaching

The image shows a fair skinned woman with red hair and glasses giving a TEDx talk on a stage with a red circular carpet. She is wearing a black outfit with a bright red scarf and patterned shoes. She stands confidently under a spotlight, holding a small remote in one hand. Behind her, a large screen displays an image of four young people sitting at a table with laptops and notebooks, appearing to be in a discussion or study session. In the top right corner of the screen, the number "35%" is prominently displayed. The background of the stage is dark, with the TEDx logo partially visible on the front of the stage platform. The atmosphere is professional and focused.
Sam works with people who are terrified of speaking in front of others to find their voice.

She coaches, trains, and evaluates them so they cannot fail. This increases their confidence and allows them to seek future speaking opportunities. From content preparation to mental readiness, Sam guides you through every step. Sam also covers stagecraft and delivery practice.

See Sam’s LinkedIn recommendations for feedback on her TEDx Speaker coach credentials/results.

I have known Sam over many years through the public speaking and leadership club she founded, Shropshire Speakers. Over this time, I have seen Sam deliver a wide range of themed speeches, and help many other club members improve their communication skills. As well as a kind, sympathetic and warm nature, Sam has a wealth of experience, and can encourage others through simple, practical tips as well as in-depth one-to-one guidance. Sam is an outstanding teacher and mentor, and I am sure that Sam will be able to help others improve their speaking, communication and leadership skills

Matt Hegarty

read more kind words
The image shows a group of 15 people standing on a stage in front of a large screen displaying the "TEDxTelford" logo with the subtitle "x = independently organized TED event." The group is diverse in gender and attire, with some dressed formally in suits and dresses, while others wear more casual clothing. The stage is lit with purple and blue lighting, casting shadows behind the group. The background is plain white, and the atmosphere appears to be celebratory or commemorative, likely marking the conclusion or a key moment of the TEDx event.
The image shows a group of 15 people posing together on a stage at a TEDxTelford event. They are arranged in two rows, with seven people standing at the back and eight seated in front. The group is diverse in gender and attire, with a mix of formal and semi-formal clothing, including suits, dresses, and business casual outfits. The backdrop features the TEDxTelford logo projected on the wall, with the tagline "x = independently organized TED event." The lighting is warm and focused on the group, creating a professional and celebratory atmosphere.

Speaking online or video

Many individuals hate the sound of their own voice, or how they look on camera, but if you want to promote yourself and your business it might be a barrier you need to overcome. Sam helps people to get their message across on video and audio and to shake off those fears for good. Sam presents at a number of networking and public speaking groups around the world, and has done since 2008. She has considerable experience of videoing herself too, for YouTube, LinkedIn, and clients. Appearing on multiple radio shows and an audiobook, she has share-worthy experience of he audio world.

The image shows a woman with red hair and glasses sitting in a radio studio, smiling and wearing headphones. She is dressed in a black top with black and white patterned sleeves and neckline. She is seated in a red chair behind a large desk filled with professional audio equipment, including multiple computer monitors, a mixing console, a keyboard, and a microphone on an adjustable arm. The studio has blue soundproofing panels on the walls and a window behind the woman, through which more studio equipment and another room are visible. The atmosphere is professional and welcoming, suggesting an active broadcast or recording session.

How can Sam help you?

  • To use your own equipment to record yourself for your business
  • Show you how to build a marketing campaign
  • Show you how to edit your videos
  • Preparing to speaking on Radio
  • Help you get ready for a Facebook live
  • Help you get ready to be a podcast guest
  • Prepare for presenting live on Zoom, Google Meet, Teams
  • Prep for live-streaming on Stream-yard or other conference platform
  • Conducting online interviews or podcasts or video-casts
  • Tips on feeling confident in front of the camera
  • Tips for makeup, clothes and backgrounds
  • Preparation for scripts
  • Using props and/or slides
  • Using an autocue
  • Getting the lighting right
  • Getting the audio right
  • How to evaluate your own videos