I can give Craig my highest compliment. Working with him feels like cheating. Yes, he’s like steroids for speech-making. It’s because he’s so helpful at each step of the process -- from helping select the theme, to structuring the speech, to sharpening punch lines, to striking the right tone for the right crowd, to just getting me to breathe, relax, and find the right pace.
When I first contacted Craig, I assumed it was a one-time call – to help me during a speech-making emergency. I had three weeks to prepare a talk for a TED-style event. I had never faced such a strict time limit, without the aid of notes, in a large venue, and I was freaking out. A friend – also a writer-turned-sometime speaker — suggested Craig, calling him “my secret weapon.”
That turned out to be true for me, as well. It’s been almost a decade since that speech emergency. And I’ve continued to go back to Craig – whether it’s a high-stakes speech or not. Sure it’s in part, because Craig always makes the end product better, and sure it’s because there’s nothing more stage-fright-curing than having Craig by your side as a guide. But I also keep going back to him because I learned so much, an invaluable insight every time. I used to dread giving speeches – I’m a writer, after all – but now I actually look forward to it.I can give Craig my highest compliment. Working with him feels like cheating. Yes, he’s like steroids for speech-making. It’s because he’s so helpful at each step of the process -- from helping select the theme, to structuring the speech, to sharpening punch lines, to striking the right tone for the right crowd, to just getting me to breathe, relax, and find the right pace. When I first contacted Craig, I assumed it was a one-time call – to help me during a speech-making emergency. I had three weeks to prepare a talk for a TED-style event. I had never faced such a strict time limit, without the aid of notes, in a large venue, and I was freaking out. A friend – also a writer-turned-sometime speaker — suggested Craig, calling him “my secret weapon.” That turned out to be true for me, as well. It’s been almost a decade since that speech emergency. And I’ve continued to go back to Craig – whether it’s a high-stakes speech or not. Sure it’s in part, because Craig always makes the end product better, and sure it’s because there’s nothing more stage-fright-curing than having Craig by your side as a guide. But I also keep going back to him because I learned so much, an invaluable insight every time. I used to dread giving speeches – I’m a writer, after all – but now I actually look forward to it.
Maya L., Intuit Marketing manager
I am a strong manager who prides herself on being respected by my teams and my direct reports. My department is strong and never misses a deadline. My career, however, was stalled. I was being passed over for promotions and had no idea why. I reached out to Craig and he spotted the issue. I was good at managing down and sideways but needed work on managing up. Craig taught me the power of asking questions and truly listening to the answers. In this way, I was able to gain deeper insight into my director and VP’s perspective and tailor my approach to a promotion accordingly. I was trying so hard to prove myself that I actually would end up looking insecure, not like the equal I need my higher ups to see me as. Part of this had to do with being a woman, a topic we dove deeply into. I have never had anyone teach me how to trust myself. Craig did, and it changed everything.
Tim Meinelschmidt, Real Estate Agent/Keller Williams
Working with Craig was invaluable. Whether your Real Estate clients are buying, selling or investing, on the hunt for that perfect property, or in the midst of tough negotiations, it's your ability to communicate that's key. It's the one skill that can keep a deal together or extricate you from a bad one. Craig teaches you how to listen, not just to what's being said but what's NOT being said. He shows you how to read the room and adjust on the fly. To be able to get your point across, to be understood and understand others will help you win the day. And there's no one better than Craig Wallace to get you there. Working with Craig was invaluable.
Roberto Orci, Growth Consultant/Integrated Marketing/Multicultural Marketing, and Acento Advertising
Craig is the best communications coach I have worked with. In advertising you have to be a top communicator to keep clients and win business. Craig coached me, as well as most of my team. This was key since many great creative thinkers may not be great communicators. His technique involved the content of the communications as well as the delivery. One service I really valued was him coming in as we were getting ready for a big pitch to help sharpen our presentation.
I would recommend Craig Wallace to anyone who would benefit by upping their game.
Russell T., Google managing director
Craig Wallace saved me! After a promotion. I took charge of a large team who were quite set in their ways. The previous director was very well liked as well. I needed help in transitioning this team into the present circumstance of me being their director. Craig gave me the tools to meet them where they were instead of trying to push them into “my way.” He helped me personalize my approach to each individual and in doing so I was able to formulate clear plans person by person. He also had amazing team building exercises for me to implement that helped the team feel so much more confident in me as their new manager. He guided me to a stronger executive presence and made me a stronger leader. I am much more skilled now at creating psychologically safe spaces for my team to communicate and work in. He calmed me down and woke me up at the same time and, dare I say it? He made it fun!
