Leadership Development
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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TRAINING
Great leaders are great communicators
Communication is the golden key to great leadership, successful teamwork, and personal success. At the heart of my transformational leadership development program is the belief that great leaders are, above all, both great listeners, and great communicators. Through tailored coaching, I empower you and your team to harness the power of your voices, inspire one another, and drive exceptional results.
Practicing a methodology rooted in neurobiology.
Recognizing leadership as a function of communication.
Designing leadership systems, habits, and rhythms.
I rank John Bates in the top 1% of all military and civilian members I have served with in my 31 years of military service. His leadership and communication skills are unmatched.
Captain Oscar E Rojas, Commodore Task Force Five Two
EXECUTIVE 1 ON 1 COACHING
Bespoke pitch development and coaching
My coaching elevates top corporate leaders and teams to unexpected new heights, transforms ineffective speakers into star-power communicators and unleashes the potential of quiet leaders. With a proven track record in Silicon Valley and beyond, I offer tailored executive speech and pitch coaching that brings out your excellence as a leader and communicator, catalyzing your effectiveness.
Elevate your speaking and leadership abilities
Highly effective leaders are highly effective communicators. Having a great product or idea is necessary, but it is not sufficient. You must be able to communicate it effectively and influentially.
Banish anxiety to speak like the powerful leader you are
Learn the technique to banish anxiety and speak with genuine confidence that has worked for thousands of clients before you, so you stand out and get noticed.
Propel your team to the next level
It's not just how you present. It's how you show up as a team. Whether you're raising funds or presenting to the board, you only get one shot so you need to make it count!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Executive 1:1 coaching is a personalized, one-on-one experience tailored specifically to your unique leadership goals and communication challenges. Working together, we’ll focus on enhancing your leadership communication, public speaking, pitching, and storytelling skills, all designed to help you inspire, lead, and drive impactful results. Whether you’re preparing for a high-stakes presentation, seeking investors, or looking to refine your overall executive presence, this coaching will give you the tools to succeed.
I bring a unique blend of expertise that includes years of leadership communication coaching and deep experience in preparing leaders for TED talks and other high-profile speaking engagements. I’ve worked with global leaders at NASA, Johnson & Johnson, and TED Fellows, helping them create talks that inform and inspire. My coaching focuses on transforming your leadership communication by tapping into human neurobiology, which helps you connect more deeply with your audience, generate trust, and inspire action.
The time commitment depends on your specific goals and timelines. Most clients opt for a 3- to 6-month coaching program, with weekly or bi-weekly hour long sessions. This allows us to dive deep, refine your skills, and ensure you’re consistently progressing toward your goals. However, you can opt for customized coaching plans to fit tighter timelines or more immediate needs, such as preparing for a major presentation or pitch. I also have an invitation only, ongoing program which we can talk about once you’ve done coaching with me.
Every session is designed around your immediate needs and long-term goals. Typically, we’ll review your progress from the previous session, work on specific challenges (like crafting a compelling story or perfecting your delivery for an upcoming talk), and refine your skills through practical exercises and feedback. We may also work on mindset techniques to overcome anxiety and boost confidence, ensuring you’re fully prepared for any speaking or leadership scenario. I am in this to transform your life so I will assume that everything is on the table and we are playing full out.
My executive 1:1 coaching is designed for high-level leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who want to elevate their communication skills. It’s especially beneficial for those preparing for high-stakes presentations, pitching for investment, leading teams, or stepping into more visible leadership roles. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker looking to refine your impact or someone who wants to overcome speaking anxiety, this coaching will meet you where you are and take you to the next level.
Most clients start noticing significant improvements in their confidence and communication after just one session. However, long-term, transformative results—like becoming a more influential leader and communicator—typically take a few months of consistent work. The more you invest in practicing and living what we cover, the faster you’ll see results. My coaching is about real, lasting transformation that you will use throughout the rest of your career.
I began my professional career as a Founder, Co-founder, or early-stage employee at dot com companies. My favorite title was “Company Evangelist.” Then I had an awakening at TED, and since then I’ve spoken at TED three times, TEDx five times, and coached speakers for over 35 TEDx events and for the TED Fellows Program. I’ve also worked with leaders at NASA, Google, Intuit, Johnson & Johnson, Boston Scientific, and US Navy Special Operations, helping them create TED-Worthy talks, become better leaders and communicators, and deliver presentations that inspire action. My WHY is to bring out what is awesome inside every person so it can live in the world and make a real difference.
If you’re ready to invest in yourself and take your communication and leadership skills to the next level, you’re likely a great fit. This coaching is for leaders who understand that effective communication is one of the most critical skills for success—whether you’re pitching to investors, motivating your team, or speaking on stage. If you’re serious about transforming how you connect with others and want to work with a coach who’s been there, let’s explore whether we’re a fit.
Clients I’ve worked with have gone on to deliver TED and TEDx talks, win Million Dollar pitch competitions, raise money, deliver the talks of their lives, and lead their organizations more effectively. From NASA astronauts and executives to entrepreneurs raising millions in funding, my clients have seen profound improvements in their public speaking and leadership communication. Many have shared that the skills they’ve gained through coaching have transformed their ability to influence and inspire others and their entire life experience.
The investment varies based on the length and structure of the coaching program. I offer both customized packages and tiered programs designed to meet different needs and budgets. Since I’m often booked months in advance, it’s best to schedule a consultation to discuss your goals and determine the right program for you. Remember, this is an investment in skills that will benefit you for the rest of your life and career.
It all starts with a conversation. You can book a complimentary 15-minute consultation where we’ll discuss your goals, challenges, and how I can help you achieve the transformation you’re looking for. From there, we’ll decide if a longer call is warranted. In that call we will create a plan tailored specifically to your needs. Click HERE to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward becoming the leader and communicator you aspire to be.
Here’s to making your communication as mighty as your ideas!
GROUP TRAINING
Fun, engaging, and actionable
Great teams communicate well. As a Leadership Communication Expert, John’s coaching is renowned for its depth and effectiveness as well as for it’s humor and memorability. He helps leaders remove blocks to their full expression, becoming more effective communicators both on stage and in life. With John’s guidance, leaders achieve high-level messaging clarity, ensuring their true intentions are heard and understood. Individual coaching delivers dramatic results, while team coaching amplifies these outcomes exponentially. John’s training is highly interactive, immediately actionable and will bring your team closer together while they enjoy learning together.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Leadership communications development for teams
Because of the profound difference it makes for organizations across the globe John’s Leadership Communications Development program for teams is one of his most popular offerings. Business is a team sport and top players want to be developed. When your team begins to take responsibility not just for what they say, but for what gets heard, their results transform. Understanding that communication is not logical, it’s biological makes people more effective everywhere they go. Learn why John regularly earns 90+ Net Promoter scores for his team trainings in countries from India to Slovakia, the United States, the UK and beyond. Why do organizations like GE Aerospace, NASA, Accenture and US Navy Special Operations invite him back again and again? Because his training is transformational.