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November 2009: Announcing Our Move to Lebanon, NH
LEBANON, N.H. — In her 10 years as a public-speaking coach, Carla Kimball has heard hundreds of stories testifying as to how a supposedly simple thing—learning how to be more comfortable in front of an audience—has changed her client's lives, not only in the workplace but in all arenas.
"My clients take home a set of tools and an in-depth understanding that can ultimately transform their lives," says Carla. "Even a one-day workshop can completely change how you approach public speaking—and that in turn can have a powerful impact not only on your personal growth but also on your value on the job and in the marketplace."
Carla, who holds an MBA and master’s degree in Counseling/Psychology, relocates her office from Boston, Mass., to Lebanon this month. Her schedule of Upper Valley programs will introduce the region to her unique approach, often called “a Buddhist approach to public speaking,” which incorporates stress management and embodied presence techniques such as yoga, Tai Chi, and meditation.
The secret to the success of Carla’s approach is that it allows clients to practice their skills in everyday non-stressful situations, such as at the dinner table, talking on the phone or in the grocery line. By doing so, they begin to internalize the ability to stay present and centered in any situation. These skills can then be easily accessed during more stressful situations where the ability to speak effectively is essential.
Carla developed her unique style of coaching by first overcoming her own intense fear of public speaking. She now has more than a decade of experience helping clients overcome their own speaking fears, project more confidence and authenticity, and cultivate the leadership qualities so essential in today's world.
"Speaking with confidence comes from having a quiet center, from which you can powerfully engage with your audience," Carla says. "My work helps people slow down enough to feel calm and grounded so they can focus on what’s most important—connecting with their audience and communicating their message."
Having an audience to practice with in a safe and supportive environment is the best way to discover how to become a confident and authentic speaker, Carla says. In her one and two-day intensives and her bi-weekly practice sessions, she coaches small groups of between 2 and 6 people, providing personal attention, group support and multiple opportunities to practice speaking in front of others. To extend their learning beyond the program, participants take home video recordings of themselves speaking, along with personalized coaching and feedback from other participants.
Carla's clients include "anyone who feels that they are holding themselves back in their profession or personal life because of their fear or discomfort when speaking in a public setting," she says. Public speaking, she explains, isn’t just about doing a keynote talk behind a podium. It includes speaking up in a meeting, introducing yourself to a group, presenting yourself well in an interview, running a teleconference or presenting your ideas in a formal talk at a board meeting. Carla’s client list includes the full range of professions, including teachers, lawyers, consultants, engineers, health care professionals, artists and people in all types of leadership positions.
Although Carla frequently recommends her small-group intensives to potential clients, she also offers private coaching sessions. Her one-on-one coaching is ideal for clients preparing for an important presentation, seeking personalized strategies for addressing specific public-speaking issues, or looking to develop a long-term plan for taking their work into the world.
"Carla has an innate talent, a gift," says client John Sullivan, Managing Partner, SalesVision, a sales enablement consulting company. "Her coaching is compelling and magnetic—once you’ve experienced it, you don’t want to approach it any other way."
Carla is excited to bring her work to the Upper Valley and also to continue serving her Boston-based clients, providing a unique retreat experience as they develop their ability to speak and lead with presence.
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We are centrally located in the Upper Valley region of Vermont and New Hampshire close to the intersection of Interstates 89 and 91. As such we are in in the heart of New England and close to Boston and all of Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New York and Maine.
Travel time from:
Albany, NY — 2.75 hours
Boston, MA — 2.25 hours
Brattleboro, VT— 1.25 hours
Burlington, VT — 1.5 hours
Concord, NH — 1 hour
Hartford, CT — 2.5 hours
Portland, ME — 3 hours
Portsmouth, NH — 2 hours
