Coaching is where I can really sink my teeth into a client’s communication challenges and provide extensive feedback. I bring my signature insight and energy to help enhance their communication skills.
My goal is to empower the client to improve their work on their own, rather than simply telling them what to do. As such, I often weave exercises, tools, and PowerPoint slides into my coaching sessions in order to provide techniques that can be practiced at home.
I am also a real cheerleader for my clients, helping them to cultivate a positive mindset. As one client noted,
“She is someone who is continuously positive, supportive and encouraging. Delia Lloyd is a great coach, and an even better mentor.”
Writing Coaching
The majority of my coaching focuses on writing. I typically spend one hour reading the manuscript in advance of the session and making comments. This extensively marked-up draft is then sent to the client—along with a list of top-line suggestions—several hours ahead of the session. Off the back of those documents, we then spend an hour zeroing in on central areas for improvement. I occasionally assign some homework to complete before the next session.
Speaking Coaching
I also coach individuals on public speaking. With public speaking, there is a lot of camera work. We spend a great deal of time analyzing video clips to isolate what’s going well and what can be improved. We then repeat the exercises so as to embed the learning.
Productivity Coaching
My productivity coaching introduces a range of project and time-management tools, as well as methods for overcoming writer’s block. We try to isolate the client’s particular struggles with getting work done, whether distractions or other constraints on their time, so as to identify pockets of time where they can unlock their creativity.
Examples of my coaching include:
- Enabling a senior insurance executive to have greater impact in meetings
- Assisting a psychiatrist with the development of a full-length book manuscript
- Empowering a writer to adopt more productive work habits
- Helping a policy analyst to write shorter, crisper blogs
- Brainstorming a book proposal with a senior academic