An Interview with Resli Costabell.- The Directors' Centre Speaking, Training and Coaching Expert

Who Are You?

 

Resli Costabell.  Despite my weird name and foreign accent, I’m a British citizen and have spent over half my life living in London.

 

 

 

What Do You Do?

I hold you to your greatness. I do that as a speaker, trainer, facilitator, and coach - specialising in Emotional Intelligence.

Conferences and companies use me when they want a speaker who will get genuine results, keep it as interactive as possible and ensure people enjoy themselves. (If they want someone to drone through 53 PowerPoint slides, they use someone else.)

Organisations also use me when they want training that gets results. I maintain a relentless focus on outcomes. As part of that, I realise that we’re usually more likely to get the outcomes we’re after when participants are relaxed, enjoying themselves, and feel safe to experiment and make mistakes. That’s why I create a training environment that fosters just such a climate for learning.

Teams and working groups use me as a facilitator for meetings and events. They often use me the first time because they have a particularly tricky situation that needs to be dealt with, and they think it would be wise to use an external facilitator. Then, when they realise how much more effective and enjoyable the meeting was, and how much it has moved them forward, they ask me to facilitate all sorts of meetings – not just the “sheesh, I wouldn’t want to have to facilitate THAT meeting” meetings.

High flyers, private individuals and organisations use me as a coach. As a coach, I avoid giving answers and advice. Instead, I ask you questions that get you thinking, drawing on your own wisdom and experience, and feeling motivated to charge ahead towards your goals.

And Your Style?

Depends on what I’m doing and with whom.  My natural inclination is to be enthusiastic, entertaining and thought-provoking, with a constant focus on taking action and getting outcomes.  I’m serious without being solemn.

But some people and some situations need a low-key style.  In those situations, I create a safe environment for learning, and stay low-key, so I can maintain rapport.

 

What Have You Done?

• Given a presentation to 350 fourteen-year-old boys, and held their attention for the entire 90 minutes.
• Been called a “guru” by Procter & Gamble and by the British Council.
• Trained people who sit on international joint venture boards for Shell.
• Received a standing ovation after presentation skills training – at Disney.
• Coached MDs of multinationals, private individuals, and a senior politician.
• Taught even the most anxious of people to be more effective presenters.
• Helped thousands of people move their lives forward.
• Frequently had my presentations described as “life-changing” and “inspiring”.
• Been asked to write three books, on “engaging an audience”, “giving and receiving feedback” and “confident presentations”.
• Found masses of things to keep me occupied rather than writing three books.

Why Should I Care?

Because you care about yourself and your organisation, and you want both to be all that they can be.

What Can You Do For Me That I Can’t Do For Myself?

Ask you questions that stop you in your tracks. Offer ideas and insights. Give you the kind of feedback that you’d normally only get from your best friend or your worst enemy, in a totally supportive and “on your side” manner. Push you do to things that you probably could do for yourself, but that you probably wouldn’t do for yourself.

What Mistakes Would You Stop Me Making?

None.  I can’t make you do or not do anything.  It’s up to you. 

What I can do is offer questions that help you reflect, be a sounding board, give honest feedback, offer a different perspective, teach you tools and techniques that you can put to use immediately, constructively challenge you, introduce you to relevant research findings, suggest ways forward, and issue a warning if I see you cruising into danger.

How Else Would You Save Me Money (Or Make Me Money)?

Think of a time when you were at your best.  Maybe you heard brilliant ideas coming out of your mouth, saw other people treating you with respect, and felt confident that you had what it took.  When you work with me, you get a lot, lot more times like that.  Whatever that would be worth, that’s what working with me is worth.

… and by the way, that may be worth more than money can ever buy.

Give Me An Example Of One Business You Worked With Recently?

I trained 8 top Lawyer/Managers for the Crown Prosecution Service, in “Confidence, Credibility and Charisma”.  They were struggling with packed schedules, staff who delegated upwards and a culture in which it was ok to be somewhat disrespectful towards management.

Over the course of two days, we used a variety of exercises, activities, tools and techniques to boost participants’ confidence, credibility and charisma.  The participants all said they could feel real benefits, they could see positive changes in each other and their staff were commenting on how much more “in charge” they seemed.  A few days later, one of the participants wrote to the Training & Development department to say:

"As for the leadership training, I cannot put into words the impact Resli and the training has had on me as a person. I feel so confident, walk tall in life, not just in work and all the self doubts I may have had which restricted skills/ confidence inside me have gone. The training was worth every penny and CPS will benefit as I lead as a leader and I benefit in life as I have no inhibitions and walk tall. Staff on my Division already saw difference. Fantastic event and a lovely energising person to be in company of.
Cheers"
STUART FLETCHER, Divisional Business Manager, Crown Prosecution Service

Why Should I Trust You?

Ask my clients, talk with me, then listen to your instincts about whether you can trust me. 

How Much Will It Cost Me?

I add value, I charge what I’m worth, and I’m worth a lot.  Exact fees depend on your needs.

Name	Resli Costabell
Proposition	Speaking, training, facilitation, coaching
Based	London
Contact Detail	t: +44 (0) 01225 851 044 e: resli@directorscentre.com