Communication Coaching - In Person or Virtually?

Communication coaching involves the whole body so it makes life easier if you’re in the same room as your coach – if possible. However, I recently began working with someone who could only find a media trainer in the country where they were living and working. They wanted communication coaching focussed on influencing at C-suite. Therefore, they opted to work with me on zoom rather than in the room with a media trainer who was more content focussed.

Communication Coaching - In person or virtually?

Deciding which option is best for you depends on a number of factors. It might be helpful to ask yourself these questions:

1. What are my coaching outcomes?

2. Can they be achieved be someone I can work with in person?

3. If there isn’t anyone in person, what is the next best alternative?

4. Does that alternative allow me to achieve my outcomes?

5. If not, where can I find a coach who does?

6. Am I prepared to work virtually with the coach?

Communication coaching - which is best for me?

If you live where you don't have access to a communication coach, you'll need to consider having the coaching online. How does this compare to being in the room?

Below, I list the advantages and disadvantages of communication coaching in person and virtually. A lot depends on what is available to you where you live. However, clarifing the pros and cons of both types of coaching may help you make a decision more easily.

Communication coaching in person: the advantages

• It’s easier for you to make rapport with someone directly in front of you and therefore you can feel more comfortable with the coach more quickly.
• The coach can clearly see your posture, breathing, gesture, facial expressions etc. They have a sense of all of you.
• If necessary, the coach can model examples of behaviour and content the you can see easily.
• In person seems to require less focus than virtually, you can work for longer.
• You can roleplay across a table as you might in real life.
• If you are standing up, the coach can see how you stand and move and how comfortable you look in a space.
• Analysing your breathing pattern is easier in person.
• Diaphragmatic breathing is easier to implement because the coach can more easily see what you’re doing.

Communication coaching in person: the disadvantages

• You have to arrange and get to the venue. This can be quite a journey depending on where you live.
• Due to the above, the coaching can take more effort from your working day than perhaps you would like or have time for.
• You are not in your own work space at home, therefore not as relaxed and open to the coaching.
• For some people living abroad, having the coaching in person is a complete impossibility.
• The communication coaching in person tends to be directed at in person communication; some people communicate mainly or exclusively on a virtual platform.

Communication coaching virtually: the advantages

• It’s convenient and can fit into your working day.
• The sessions usually last for less time than in person so again it’s easier to fit into your working day.
• You can record the session and/or record the key sections while roleplaying etc.
• If you’re travelling for work, you can still have the coaching so it keeps up momentum.
• An experienced coach will be able to make up for working with you in the room and can be specific and prescriptive in their instructions in order to discern your breathing pattern, for example.
• Coaching virtually is better than not having the coaching, especially if you have important communication challenges that require an added level of communication expertise.
• You get lots of practice on a virtual platform and this may well reflect your professional reality.

Communication coaching virtually: the disadvantages

• The coach can’t see you as well as when you’re in the room.
• You can see the coach as well as when you’re in the room. Therefore, any modelling done by the coach can’t be seen as clearly.
• You may miss the underlying subtleties in the execution, feel and affect of behavioural change.
• It’s harder work for both you and the coach.
• The coach may more easily miss how you’re feeling about the coaching.
• Time goes much quicker virtually…..

Communication Coaching – Hybrid

Even if I meet coaching clients in person, I always suggest having at least a couple of coaching sessions on zoom. Mainly because we all communicate on one virtual platform or another.

I’ve worked with people who have had the first few interviews for a senior role take place on zoom before they’ve been asked to attend the next interview in person. Sometimes logistics require that a pressurised and important meeting is either entirely on a virtual platform or a hybrid.

Therefore, even if you do decide that in person coaching is for you, you don’t want to fail to develop specific skills to cross that screen!

Communicating Your best on a Virtual Platform

If you'd like to read an article on how to be the best of yourself on a virtual platofrm please go here.

Communication Coaching - Contact me

If you'd like to discuss coaching online or in person or a combination of the two please contact me here.