We specialise in coaching women because it is different and, in many ways, harder for women. There are different challenges for women when speaking in public.
- Societal expectations of women when they speak in public can work against them. Unconscious bias, for example, can play a large role. It’s important to understand these dynamics to be able to navigate them well
- Women have different barriers, anxieties, and issues than men when it comes to speaking in public
- Women’s voices, clothing and body language are different to men’s and that can create different problems and opportunities
- Women are typically interrupted 3 times more than men and are often not automatically accredited the same level of credibility as men and this can cause challenges of not being fully heard in meetings, debates and Q&A sessions
We take all of our programmes (e.g. 121 coaching, concierge service) and tailor them specifically to work for women.
Our coaches are all women because…
We have found that when men coach women in these areas, their advice is often not right for women. It might have been great advice for other men but is wrong and even counterproductive for women.
Women Speaking - a 2 day workshop designed to further develop your skills
Why do it?
Although in recent years we have seen an explosion of women’s equality and a shift towards a gender balance, there are still many cultural and historic barriers in both the workplace and society in general that women come up against when speaking in public. These speaking events may be a formal presentation, pitching to new customers or simply taking part in a meeting.
Once we understand these issues, and the different approaches that we can take, we can start addressing the question:
“Why are women typically less comfortable and confident in public speaking and how do I get myself heard?”
What we do – content and programme
The 2-day programme starts and ends with a presentation from all participants to show just how much can be achieved in a short space of time. In between we will look at:
The historical and cultural context and barriers that women face when speaking.
Women’s speaking skills:
- Voice – vocal style and avoiding pitfalls for women
- Language – choosing assertive language
- Body Language – projecting status non verbally
- Personality – how your personality shapes your speaking impact
Meetings – Being heard, handling interruptions and chairing
Developing a standard process to speed up preparation of speeches
Handling anxiety around speaking
The use of stories, props, metaphors to create impact
Online coaching will also be available as a follow up.
How we do it – the methodology
- These workshops are designed to be delivered in small groups of women, who hold senior / executive positions in their companies. They can either be delivered as part of a leadership and development programme, or as a standalone session.
- Typically they are delivered as a 2 day fully interactive workshop, which would be Face to Face, or a series of 4 x 2 hour sessions which would be delivered remotely.
- All groups are kept small (a maximum of 6 women in each group), allowing for maximum interaction with the programme coach and to receive targeted sessions
How will participants benefit?
- They will build professional credibility
- They will understand how to alleviate some of the challenges that women face when speaking up.
- They will be able to convey their message with greater authority and confidence, which in turn will enhance their presence and status.
- Their mindset will improve as they learn how to manage self-belief and Imposter Syndrome
- They will attract attention for all the right reasons!
Why choose Archimedes?
- Our coaching is developed from a deep business background, our coaches are a mix of experienced, practical, business people, broadcast journalists and voice coaches.
- We understand the issues that women often face in getting heard and overcoming these challenges.
- It’s about more than drama and vocal techniques, although we cover these aspects too.
- We know how to present and influence in a corporate context and how to enable you to get your message heard.
- We work to understand you and your context.
- It’s about developing YOUR style and not imposing a “1 size fits all” approach.
Speaking in Meetings - how to assert yourself and be heard
Why do it?
Most middle managers spend about 35% of their time in meetings. They are a significant forum for communication and influence. Yet they are often challenging for women.
Women tend to get interrupted by men 33% more than men interrupt other men. Men tend to speak for 75% of the time in decision making meetings. Ideas are appropriated and contributions are talked over. When women seek to be assertive and challenge this, it can rebound on them and cause them to be criticised for being shrill, aggressive or unfeminine.
The Speaking in Meetings programme will equip women to overcome issues, perform well in meetings and be heard!
What we do
The session will include:
- Why meetings are important
- What are the challenges of meetings specifically for women?
- How to prepare well for meetings
- Meeting interventions – how to break into loud and boisterous meetings
- How to handle interruptions and ideas appropriation
How we do it
The sessions are all small groups, so everyone gets a chance to speak, practice and be heard. In the workshops you will work on meeting simulation exercises which would be videoed and feedback given.
- All participants will practice scenarios including:
- How to handle being interrupted
- How to challenge and interrupt
- How to avert criticism
The sessions run either as a 1 day face to face workshop or 2*2.5 hour online workshops
