Coaching and Training

Coaching

Maggie is an executive coach and behavioural specialist. She has worked in all areas of communication skills, helping people develop personal presence and physical and vocal confidence. Having worked as an actor in all media she is able to apply many of the tools and techniques she has learned to enable people to be authentic and confident. She has 25 years' experience working with both public and private companies; in medical organisations, academic and financial institutions, councils, government departments, and retail. She coaches a wide range of situations and experiences.

Interview and presentation practice

Interview practice helps individuals notice how their questions and behaviour affect the person opposite them. Sessions can concentrate on structure, handling difficult questions or speaking with more confidence, depending on what the individual needs to practise.

For presentation skills, Maggie uses voice work, relaxation, breathing, storytelling and practical exercises to help people manage nerves and speak naturally. The aim is to help them feel prepared without making their delivery sound rehearsed.

Performance management

Maggie uses role-play to help managers work through conversations they are finding difficult. A scenario can be shaped around the situation they need to handle, giving managers a chance to test how they open the discussion, ask questions and respond when it takes an unexpected turn. After the group has discussed what they observed, Maggie explains how the conversation felt from inside the role and which choices changed its direction.

Coaching and difficult conversations

Forum theatre can show what happens when a difficult conversation goes badly. The scene can be paused at the point where communication begins to break down, giving the group time to suggest another response. Smaller groups can then try the situation themselves, replay key moments and see how particular choices affect colleagues and teams.

Selected clients

OFSTED, English Heritage, the Cabinet Office, Phoenix Housing, Eurostar, South East Cancer Network, Hertfordshire County Council, Northamptonshire County Council, Eversheds, Royal Mail, BAA, O2, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, the Wildlife Trusts, the National Gallery and Connexions services in Greenwich, Lewisham and Bromley.

Medical role-play

Much of Maggie's current work involves portraying patients with cancer in training sessions for doctors. The role-play gives healthcare professionals and students a chance to practise sensitive consultations and see how their words, manner and body language affect a patient.

One-to-one role-play can be used in teaching sessions or recorded for feedback. Maggie also works from scripts for medical school examinations (OSCEs), GP training and diversity training.

• St George's Hospital, London Deanery, UCL, RCGP
• King's College London Paramedic Science Dept
• Advanced Clinical Communications training for Hospice & End of Life Practitioners
• London Ambulance
• Royal London Hospital Psychiatry Dept

Training Workshops

Maggie runs workshops on Interview Skills Practice and Presentation Skills.

Clients include:

• Alleyn's School Dulwich
• James Allen's Girls' School (JAGS) in Dulwich
• University of Westminster
• Westminster City Council