Speaking coaches are essential in helping you become a more confident and successful communicator by providing you with individualized guidance, practice, and tips. Being a knowledge leader in your profession is no longer adequate in today’s competitive workplace, especially if you wish to advance in your career and move up the management ladder. In addition to possessing the necessary knowledge, you need to be able to communicate your ideas and recommendations to others in an interesting and eloquent manner. In a nutshell, in the professional environment, effective communication frequently serves as the bridge between success and failure.
Despite obstacles, a few female speaking coaches have established themselves and turned into icons for the upcoming generation of female speaking coaches. Teresa Dukes, a London-based certified world-class speaking coach, trainer, and speaker, is one of these guiding stars. Dukes founded the renowned firm Dukes Consultancy, which assists people in acquiring the skills they need to become better leaders and speakers and co-founded Breakthrough Women, a groundbreaking movement that empowers women through group coaching, corporate programs, and holistic retreats.
Dukes is dedicated to assisting individuals in being heard, understood, and remembered. She gives speeches all over the world on topics like “Leadership,” “Change the Perception,” “Winning with Stories,” and “Authentic Leadership.” Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the US, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and South Africa are just a few of the nations where she has given presentations. She has experience working with sales teams, corporate executives, high school students, new managers, apprentices, and senior executives.
Dukes’s career is truly inspiring. She is a longtime member of Toastmasters International and was on the board of directors from 2015 to 2017. Toastmasters International is a global platform that teaches leadership and communication skills. In order to help Toastmasters International carry out its purpose, Dukes collaborated with the Board to create and support the policies and procedures.
The best results-driven executive trainers are typically those with a wealth of executive experience who comprehend organizational dynamics as well as the difficulties and complexity of leadership responsibilities. Dukes, who has proven her exceptional performance as an executive, exemplifies this beautifully. Under her shrewd leadership, her businesses, Breakthrough Women and Dukes Consultancy, are expanding quickly and becoming well-known.
Dukes has made a name for herself in the literary world in addition to being a world-class speaking coach, trainer, and speaker. She authored the well-known book “If you want to LEAD, you have to SPEAK!” Her other works include Women on Success and World Class Speaking in Action.
Dukes has achieved too much to mention here. She has collaborated with many organizations, including British Telecoms plc, Cranfield University MBA program, Strivenn Limited, Toastmasters International, Speakers Trust Charity, First Landing Education in China, Women’s Institute UK, and the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. She is a multi-award winner, having been named a “Woman of Influence” and having won Toastmasters International’s highest honor, the Presidential Citation Award.
Dukes is the Director of Communication for the World Class Speaking Coach program run by Craig Valentine, MBA, an award-winning trainer and speaker. Her noteworthy accomplishments include coaching National Speech Champions and teaching more than 30,000 individuals.
Women can step into their power and thrive in today’s competitive, male-dominated industries by leveraging their strengths. By embracing their strengths, women can carve out their own paths and succeed on their own terms. The secret to their success is finding mentors and role models who can inspire and guide them to thrive in their careers. Teresa Dukes, who has, without a doubt, emerged as a career role model, offers the following career success advice to help the next generation of female speaking coaches, trainers, and speakers thrive in their careers:
Have a Strategy
Where do you see yourself going in the next 3-5-10 years: Stay on PAR:
P=Plan out your intentions;
A=Act on those intentions with visualization, networking, etc.
R=Review your plan and then update.
Say yes to opportunities
These are opportunities that will help you reach your Strategy. Be cautious of what you say yes to. Make sure it fits within your future strategic intentions above.
Identify your Superpowers
Think about what you are really good at and start making a list.
Think about the skill other people come to you for in order to help them with their work—write it down.
Think about what is unique to you—what do you do so well that you just recognise it as business as usual. However, other people see it as amazing and wish they could be the same – write it down!
After you have your list – make sure that you share your superpower/gift with those around you. Hiding your light or gift does no one any good.
Step into your Power!
People are looking for leaders out there to take a stand. What does it mean to step into your power? This is what it looks like:
1- You develop solutions instead of problems.
2- You look for opportunities to share your knowledge with others.
3- You are a lifelong learner.
4- You are vocal about your intentions/career/future!
5- You go that extra mile!
Blow your own trumpet!
This is something so many people are afraid of doing because they believe they will be judged as arrogant or big-headed. This is not the case. The more we are vocal about what we are good at the more recognition and visibility we will receive in the bigger picture!
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