Speaking coaches play a crucial role in helping you become a more confident and effective communicator by providing you with individualized guidance, practice, and tips. Being a knowledge leader in your field is no longer adequate in today’s competitive work environment, especially if you wish to advance in your career and move up the management ladder. You need to be able to communicate your ideas and recommendations to others in an interesting and eloquent manner in addition to possessing the necessary knowledge. To put it briefly, in the professional environment, effective communication frequently serves as the bridge between success and failure.
(By Naeem Ul Hassan)
Despite challenges, a few female speaking coaches have established themselves and turned into icons for the next wave of female speaking coaches. One of these role models is Teresa Dukes, a London-based certified world-class speaking coach, trainer, and speaker. In addition to being the co-founder of Breakthrough Women—a revolutionary movement that empowers women through corporate programs, group coaching, and holistic retreats—Teresa is also the founder of Dukes Consultancy, a well-known firm that helps people develop the skills necessary to become more effective speakers and leaders.
Teresa is on a mission to assist individuals in being heard, understood, and remembered. She speaks all over the world on topics like “Leadership,” “Change the Perception,” “Winning with Stories,” and “Authentic Leadership.” She has given presentations in a number of countries, including the US, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Germany, Switzerland, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, South Africa, and the UK. Her experience includes working with sales teams, business leaders, high school students, senior executives, apprentices, and new managers.
Teresa’s career is truly inspiring. She is a longtime member of Toastmasters International and was on the board of directors from 2015 to 2017. Toastmasters International is the largest organization in the world that teaches leadership and communication skills. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, the group was established in 1924 and has over 270,000 members spread among more than 14,000 clubs in 150 countries. In order to help Toastmasters International carry out its purpose, Teresa collaborated with the Board to create and support the policies and procedures.
The best results-driven executive trainers are typically those with a wealth of executive experience who comprehend organizational dynamics as well as the difficulties and complexity of leadership responsibilities. Teresa, who has proven her exceptional performance as an executive, exemplifies this beautifully. Under her shrewd leadership, her businesses, Breakthrough Women and Dukes Consultancy, are expanding quickly and becoming well-known.
Teresa has made a name for herself as an author in addition to being a world-class speaking coach, trainer, and speaker. She wrote the well-known book “If you want to LEAD, you have to SPEAK!” Additionally, she co-wrote the books “World Class Speaking in Action” and “Women on Success.”
Teresa has achieved too much to mention here. She has collaborated with many organizations, including British Telecoms plc, Cranfield University MBA program, Strivenn Limited, Toastmasters International, Speakers Trust Charity, First Landing Education in China, Women’s Institute UK, and the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. She is a multi-award winner, having been named a “Woman of Influence” and having won Toastmasters International’s highest honor, the Presidential Citation Award.
Teresa is the Director of Communication for the World Class Speaking Coach program run by Craig Valentine, MBA, an award-winning trainer and speaker. Her noteworthy accomplishments include coaching National Speech Champions and teaching more than 30,000 individuals.
Women can step into their power and thrive in today’s competitive, male-dominated industries by leveraging their strengths. By embracing their strengths, women can carve out their own path and succeed on their terms. A key to their success is finding role models who exemplify confidence and achievement. Unquestionably, Teresa Dukes has become a guiding star for the next generation of female speaking coaches, trainers, and speakers.