VOX Coaching has wide experience of helping people in higher education, business and the public sector to conduct appraisals, manage individual and team behaviours, handle sensitive situations and secure optimal performance.
We are specialists in tailoring courses to meet the specific needs of participants. Our practical work is engaging and genuinely enabling.
VOX particularly understands the tensions that exist within most institutions – not least between research and teaching and between academic aspiration and administrative duty. Difficult conversations between senior managers and staff are virtually inevitable in any work environment. Leading universities, which thrive on individualism but like to proceed through consensus, are no exception, particularly during periods of challenge and change. We are used to working with academics, research teams, support staff and others on the communication skills they need if they are to establish a culture that encourages endeavour and boosts morale.
Effective performance management is part of such a culture. It is about recognising excellence and addressing problems in a manner that people perceive as straightforward and honest. ‘Performance management’ often becomes a euphemism for negative interaction between managers and staff, but VOX’s approach is to develop that interaction so that it becomes a positive and supportive ongoing relationship. VOX’s courses are not about procedures, policies or tick boxes but about practical guidance on communication styles, techniques and behaviours.
The detail of the course content can be determined through further discussion with the University, but the broad topics covered are likely to include:
- Nurturing aspiration in a culture of mutual respect
- Understanding status, interpersonal dynamics and power structures
- Communicating assertively
- Speaking so that others want to listen
- Self-awareness
- Active listening
- Reading body language and vocal tone
- Tackling the behaviour, not the person
- Negotiating with confidence
- Building rapport, trust and mutual respect
- Communicating with clarity, authenticity and presence
- Gaining enthusiastic buy-in from staff
- Identifying problems in workplace relationships
- Throwing the blame game on the scrapheap
What our clients say
[The] interpretation of the brief, tailoring of content and varied delivery made for a productive and enjoyable event … I wouldn’t hesitate to use Pete or VOX again.
… an inspiring coach who makes an enduring difference to the way people communicate, lead and manage.
Participants find the sessions great fun, and at the same time are amazed at how blind they might have been to their own and others’ behaviours, be it in a meeting, or relationships with junior or senior colleagues.
I had a fantastic experience with VOX Coaching … in preparation for interviews for large grants from research councils. In simple words, without [their] help, it would have been very challenging to perform well at the interview.
Engaging, professional, dynamically responsive to clients’ needs. Well said and well done!
