Communication skills are an essential part of leadership development and professional growth. Properly employed, they can propel your career forward and increase your impact in every area of business.
Finding the best communication coaches can be a challenge, however. A quick Google search reveals thousands of coaches, all promising stellar results.
To help you cut through the noise, we’ve put together this post.
We’ll start by covering the key qualities to look for in a communication coach, so you can make an informed decision.
Then, we’ll introduce you to our team of executive coaches.
Each of these coaches brings a unique background and specialty, as well as diverse coaching experience.
If you’re looking for personalized guidance to strengthen your executive presence and communication skills, our executive communication coaching might be a good fit for exploring your specific goals.
Let’s get started!
What to Look for in a Communication Coach
Before we get to the list, here are some important things to consider when choosing an executive communication coach.
Experience and Background
No matter how skilled a coach is, they won’t be much help if they lack the relevant experience.
To get targeted results, find a coach who has worked in a variety of industries and has experience working with people at your level.
To assess this, take a look at the coach’s past clients and case studies.
Customized Approach
The whole point of hiring a coach is to get personalized guidance. Don’t settle for one with a generic, one-size-fits-all approach.
When evaluating coaches, ask how they can customize their coaching to your unique needs. Do they take the time to understand your goals and specific situation?
Coaching Philosophy and Methodology
Different coaches have different approaches. To achieve the best results, your coach’s methodology should match your preferences.
Do you prefer open-ended guidance? Or do you like it better when a coach gives you specific directions? Both philosophies are valid, but one might be better for your learning style.
Strong Listening and Interpersonal Skills
You should only choose a coach if they can walk the walk.
You can look for videos of the coach in action or, better yet, schedule a discovery call with them. Do they practice the listening and interpersonal skills they claim to teach?
Ability to Address a Range of Communication Skills
Professional communication is a broad topic, covering everything from media appearances to business writing to 1:1 meetings.
Does the coach offer guidance for these diverse settings? And, more importantly, can they tailor their approach to help you with the communication skills you need the most?
Focus on Lasting Change
The best communication coaches focus on creating lasting change for their clients.
Ask the coach what kind of follow-up and ongoing support they offer. Do they have testimonials that show genuine transformation in the way their clients communicate?
Professionalism and Ethics
Transformative coaching requires you to be vulnerable. But to be vulnerable, you need to have a coach who respects your privacy and upholds professional ethics.
What is the coach’s confidentiality policy? If your employer is paying for the coaching, what information is the coach permitted to disclose?
Fit and Chemistry
Chemistry is key to a productive coaching relationship. If you trust and relate to your coach, you’ll have an easier time being vulnerable. Plus, the process will be more enjoyable.
The best way to assess fit and chemistry is a discovery call (which is typically free).
References and Track Record
How do you know your coach can get the results they claim?
Ask the coach for references from previous clients. A high-quality coach will be happy to provide these. Additionally, you can check the directories of professional organizations such as the International Coaching Federation, EMCC, and Association for Coaching.
Clarity on Roles and Expectations
Before you begin a coaching engagement, clarify:
- How long will the coaching contract last?
- Can the coach arrange “triad meetings” with you, the coach, and your boss?
- What work will you need to complete between meetings with your coach?
- Can you reach out to your coach for support between sessions?
List of the Best Communication Coaches
Now that you understand how to choose a communication coach, let’s get to the list.
The following coaches are all experts who can take your executive communication skills to the next level.
1. John J. Vautier
John believes in the power of effective communication. He’s been interested in communication since 2004, when his father, John Sr., founded Vautier Communications.
John sees a person’s ability to communicate effectively as one of the single most impactful “hard skills” one can develop for personal and professional success.
John has worked with a range of companies across industries, from Fortune 500 to Fortune 4. He has experience coaching both emerging and established leaders, spanning early career development to senior-level and C-suite.
John is the co-author of two communication books: Speak As Well As You Think (with John Sr.) and Mastering Executive Presence (with Jenn Vautier). In addition to working as a coach, he’s also the VP of Sales for Vautier Communications.
Favorite communication quote: “If you just communicate, you can get by. If you communicate skillfully, you can work miracles.” – Jim Rohn
Connect with John on LinkedIn.
2. Jennifer Alex (Vautier)
Jenn believes in helping everyone find their inner confidence as a speaker.
She began her career as a high school educator before transitioning into communication coaching in 2013. She knows that if you can talk to high school students, you can talk to just about anyone!
Jenn has worked with a range of clients, but one of her proudest success stories is bringing Vautier’s Train-the-Trainer course to faculty and students at Ohio University.
Jenn is the co-author of Mastering Executive Presence (with John J. Vautier). Besides her coaching and writing work, she’s also the VP of Sales & People for Vautier Communications.
Favorite communication quote: “Just start. Start slow if you have to. Start small if you have to. Start privately if you have to. But just start.” – James Clear
Connect with Jenn on LinkedIn.
3. Matthew Naser
Matt believes in the power of communication as a tool to build your personal brand.
Matt got his start in the communications field while running a corporate recruiting team at CVS. There, he gained valuable experience designing messaging materials for corporate executives before transitioning to communication coaching in 2023.
In addition to his coaching work, Matt is also an Account Executive for Vautier Communications.
Favorite communication quote: “You only get ONE chance to make a FIRST impression.”
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn.
Conclusion
Strong communication skills accelerate your career growth and fuel your professional success.
No matter what industry you’re in or where you are in your career, communication coaching is one of the best investments you can make.
And that investment will go even further if you work with the best communication coaches.
Ready to take the next steps? Reach out to one of our featured coaches today.
