Shana Gold
I am a leadership development and executive communication coach (ICF-ACC) and facilitator, and I have spent 20 years helping professionals to speak and lead masterfully and cultivate the investment, client, and high-performance teams they and their company need to succeed.
I use my theatre experience (MFA-CUNY, Lincoln Center Theatre et al), time at companies like Dell, Motorola, Centria, Walmart, and 3M, and certification in Positive Intelligence and Transformational Coaching to help guide clients to be dynamic speakers and leaders who can create engagement from the big rooms to the board room.
You can read more about me and my practice here. Below you’ll find a list of my current communication services, all of which are available virtually or onsite. If you see something that piques your interest, please get in touch. I’d love to hear how I can be of assistance to you or your organization.
Impress your listener every time
In my interactive talks and workshops, I share strategies to help you understand and impress your listener every time you speak and get results: increased sales, improved client and team relationships, and powerful influence in every context.
Here’s a sample of selected talks and workshops that may work for your organization…
From Stage Fright to Spotlight: How To Cultivate Confidence and Authentic Leadership Presence
Ever have a meeting, interview, or interaction that doesn’t seem to be landing, and you don’t know why? Whether it's rallying a team towards a common goal or persuading stakeholders to invest–learn the techniques that transform passive listeners into active participants.
You’ll discover how to:
Clear blocks and transform nerves to excitement (even if you’re an introvert)
Discover the subtle yet profound ways to convey confidence and conviction
Learn how to grab your listener and hold their attention (and even put down their device)
Stories That Sell: 3 Secrets to Irresistible Storytelling That Resonates
Have you ever noticed your listener tuning out the data? Learn to create narratives that transform information into stories that touch emotions, instill trust, and drive action.
You’ll discover how to:
Craft a compelling story (even if the subject matter is dry)
Learn how to grab your listener and hold their attention (and even put down their device)
Use stories to build trust with clients and close deals
Courageous Conversations: Positive and Proactive Tools for Offering Feedback and Having Difficult Talks
Ever feel like you have to choose between being a pushover or aggressive? Learn to disagree gracefully, get on the same page, uncover solutions, and get results with clarity and empathy.
You’ll discover how to:
Expertly interpret body language and understand what’s unsaid
Uncover a secret technique that transforms every conflict into an opportunity or gift
Discover the keys to active listening that unlock a world of creativity and collaboration
Interested in having me give a talk or facilitate a workshop for your organization?
Coaching Services
Training Options (available virtually or onsite) include:
Individual, Small, and Large Group Presentations Coaching
Whether you are presenting to a large group, pitching a proposal to investors, or leading a meeting with colleagues, the rules of the game are the same. You need to be clear, credible, confident – and relevant. You want to listen actively, adapt your approach as you learn about your audience, and aim to stay calm and focused if you are interrupted and challenged.
Mission and Vision: Rowing in the Same Direction
What are your personal values and passions? What are your company’s values? How are these manifested? How did you get where you are today? Operationalizing values and honing individual and organizational goals helps shape policy, communicate with employees, raise funding, and guide brand management.
Interview & Meeting Preparation
Ever have a meeting, interview, or interaction that doesn’t seem to be landing, and you don’t know why? This workshop explores how the body language others exhibit can help us understand their responses. We will refine and practice the skills required to analyze how non-verbal signals are transmitting both to us and from us. Taking the time to understand clients’ and co-workers’ perceptions gives us a great deal of information that we can use to influence them effectively.
Collaboration & Innovation Training + Team Building
A company that wants to remain on the cutting edge can't do it by resting on its laurels or past successes--it needs to be continually developing. Learning to collaborate successfully will significantly increase efficiency, productivity, and creativity. This program will help your company find innovative solutions to challenges and work successfully as a team.
Giving and Receiving Feedback That Works
This program helps business professionals solicit, give, and receive feedback that leads to positive change. During the feedback workshop, participants learn about effective and ineffective feedback practices, assess their own feedback behaviors, and receive opportunities to practice delivering and receiving feedback in a small group setting. The workshop concludes with a review of best practices for both giving and receiving feedback that works, and a focus on applying what has been learned back at work.
The Perfect Pitch
Perfecting your pitch is essential for every entrepreneur. In this workshop, we’ll go through the pitch process from start to finish. Beginning with understanding the importance of the pitch, your purpose and when to use it, you'll then learn how to create a compelling pitch by identifying your objective and context, identifying why the investor or customer needs what you’re offering, communicating your unique selling point, and knowing your goals for a successful outcome.
Client Testimonials
“I hired Shana to help me prepare for a presentation, and I became a better leader as a result. She coached me from feeling like I was going to fail—to by far the best presentation I’ve ever given. After just 3 sessions with Shana my team and colleagues acknowledged they thought that I was more present, positive, and engaged during our one on ones and in department meetings. I continue to work with Shana regularly and recommend her work to anyone looking to level up and create a positive impact.”
“Shana prepared me for many events at Dell, from progress reports to keynote speeches in front of hundreds of people. The feedback from everyone has been very positive. Her ability to synthesize content and her supportive, but rigorous approach was indispensable in that positive outcome.”
“The Austin team placed 1st overall in the National Sales Showcase Competition. Shana’s coaching really made all the difference both in how we collaborated as a group and in the quality of our presentation.”
“If you are questioning your capabilities, experiencing self-doubt, struggling to grow and obtain the pay and roles you desire or want to reduce your anxiety, make time to tune in and engage in this presentation. You will walk away empowered and better equipped.”
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“At the onset of the pandemic, we found ourselves in a difficult place, navigating intense conflict and needing to change the whole paradigm of our company. And now, we have a renewed sense of clarity on our values, purpose, and mission. We are so grateful to Shana for conducting a leadership audit, which enabled us to explore new ways of collaborating, to create healthy approaches to navigate the hard conversations–and for reminding us that empathy and curiosity always make us better leaders and colleagues.”
“Shana is a dynamic and energetic communication leader. She led a series of strategic planning and team building retreats for the University of Arkansas campus fundraising teams. She incorporates robust research data and shares case studies to engage participants. Shana masterfully encourages participation and sparks creativity and innovation. Each retreat concluded with specific actionable insights and a clear path to success. All our employees were highly engaged and sent positive feedback after the sessions.”
“Shana is an excellent speaking coach with brilliant insights into story, structure, and fundamentals—and her corrective feedback is incredibly impactful.
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“The skills and habits Shana has helped me develop have been life changing. During our time together, my approach to communication and public speaking has evolved significantly, and the results have been incredibly positive. Shana’s support has been crucial in my recent achievements—including being offered a promotion and receiving multiple invitations to speak. I highly recommend anyone looking to improve their communication and reach their goals, to work with Shana.
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“Public speaking used to be my biggest struggle, and now I confidently speak in front of hundreds of people. Shana helped me find confidence in myself, gave me the tools to confront my fears, and helped put me in the driver’s seat of my career .”
“Working with Shana has been a transformative experience for me. When I came to her, I was completely burnt out and overwhelmed. The skills and practices I’ve learned have reduced my anxiety by about 75% and significantly increase my revenue. The work we did helped me identify achievable goals and realize that the gaps in my life weren’t as insurmountable as I thought. Using her coaching techniques, With Shana’s guidance, I’ve come a long way in a short time, and I’m moving steadily towards my big goals.”
“Shana is a gifted coach who knows exactly how to empower you to both celebrate your successes and make positive change in your work and life. After a few months with Shana, I was able to break a seemingly intractable habit and immediately felt like I had the tools at my fingertips to carve new paths forward. Shana’s guidance helped me re-imagine what I was capable of and access the support I needed to accomplish it. I can’t recommend Shana enough–working with her has truly changed my life for the better! ”
Results-Driven Coaching
According to Forbes.com 57% of senior leaders say communications is the number one skills gap.
Leaders practicing mindfulness training become less reactive and more responsive, boosting the bottom line.
— goalcast.com
Half of all workers say interpersonal skills are crucial to their job, especially in the high-pace tech industry.
Practicing interpersonal communication decreases stress as well as increases focus, resiliency, and vigor.
Additional reading on communication skills and mindfulness in the workplace: goalcast.com, journals.lww.com, inc.com, linkedin.com, and pewsocialtrends.org
Download My Free Guide
5 Tips to Communicate with
Confidence & Presence
If you tend to go blank, rote, or flustered during high stakes communication you are not alone.
In this guide, I share 5 tips to communicate with confidence and presence so that you can have successful, empowered presentations and conversations, every time.
I have helped hundreds of professionals overcome their communication challenges so they can feel calm and speak with clarity to create connection.
Click the button below, enter your details, and I’ll send you my free guide along with my best tips and some more information about my work. If you decide it is not for you, you can unsubscribe anytime.