When Josh Hobbs, Innovation Ventures Lead at Computer Concepts Limited (CCL), first reached out for coaching, he had a clear challenge:
“I had no confidence in speaking and a lack of understanding of how to structure and tell a story effectively.”
From Nerves to Nods of Approval
Like many professionals, Josh was technically skilled but struggled when the spotlight shifted to him. The idea of speaking—especially without a script—created anxiety and nervousness.
“It was causing a reluctance about speaking,and especially speaking ad lib.”
This wasn’t just a passing discomfort. It was a real barrier to sharing his expertise and making an impact in meetings,presentations, and industry events.
The Turning Point
Coaching introduced Josh to a structured way of preparing and delivering his message.
Through repeated practice, he began to see and feel the difference.
“When I’d been practicing my presentation for quite a while and saw the change in how I was delivering it and the pace of delivery—that’s when I realised it was working.”
He discovered not just the mechanics of effective speaking, but also the confidence to be spontaneous, adapt to the room, and connect more authentically with his audience.
Speaking with Confidence
Today, Josh approaches public speaking with a completely different mindset.
“I’m more confident when I’m speaking in public, and I’m more likely to do ad lib speaking. I’m able to communicate and share my story more effectively to a larger group.”
That shift from anxiety to confidence didn’t just change how he felt—it changed how others saw him.
Standing Out from the Crowd
At a recent event, Josh delivered a presentation alongside two other accomplished speakers—one a CEO of a large organisation, the other a senior professional from a tech partner company.
Both of his counterparts relied heavily on slides and a factual delivery. Josh took a different approach, leaning into amore communicative, engaging style. The result?
He scored 4.8 out of 5—the highest presenter rating of the session.
“That was probably the key differentiation between mine and theirs.”
Key Takeaway
Josh’s journey shows that confident, engaging communication isn’t about having the most impressive job title or the flashiest slides—it’s about connecting with your audience. With the right structure,practice, and coaching, anyone can move from nervous to natural.
If you’d like to explore how coaching could help you speak with more confidence, clarity, and charisma—whether on stage, in meetings, or off the cuff—get in touch today.
