5 Signs You May Benefit from Communication Coaching

I used to think I was a good communicator. I was direct, passionate, and could present in front of hundreds of people. I could drive my team to hit challenging goals. But I started noticing a pattern: conversations weren't going the way I hoped, team meetings felt tense, and my relationships were strained.

The problem? I was leading with emotional reactions, and people wanted to protect themselves from my communication style. Sound familiar?

Here are five clear signs that indicate you might benefit from communication coaching:

1. You Avoid Difficult Conversations

You know the ones which keep you up at night, or you rehearse over and over while driving. If you're putting off that conversation or keep intending to address an issue for weeks, you're not alone. But avoidance only makes problems worse.

2. Your Conversations Feel Like Debates

When discussions turn into battles where everyone's trying to win, we stop listening. Communication breaks down when it becomes about being right rather than coming to an understanding.

3. People Seem to Misunderstand You Regularly

If you frequently say, "That's not what I meant!" or "You're not getting it!" that’s a sign for you to pay attention. Effective communication means taking responsibility for how your message is received.

4. You Feel Emotionally Drained After Conversations

Healthy communication should energize relationships, not deplete them. If you regularly feel exhausted after talking with certain people, something's not working.

5. You Spend Too Much Time Clarifying What You "Really" Meant

Are you constantly following up conversations with emails to clarify your intent? When we communicate effectively, people understand the message the first time.

The Path Forward

Recognizing these signs isn't about beating yourself up – it's about acknowledging that communication is a skill that you can get better at if you put the work in.

Effective communication is about building the skills to navigate challenging conversations with curiosity rather than defensiveness, with empathy rather than judgment.

Ready to transform how you communicate?

My expertise is helping leaders and professionals build the skills to navigate difficult conversations, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful dialogue. Stop letting communication challenges hold you back – sign up for coaching with me today and start building the communication skills that will transform your relationships and career.