This week, my 10-year-old daughter faced a challenge that could make even experienced professionals anxious: she was told she would be given an article, have just 15 minutes to read it, and then deliver a five-minute presentation to her entire class. Some might find this exciting, and others nerve-wracking. Unlike those who eagerly grab the mic, my daughter keenly observes details others often miss. But stepping into the spotlight is uncomfortable territory for her. I’m glad schools are encouraging these skills at an early age because these are essential life skills, so I jumped at the chance to help her. Did she eagerly embrace my coaching offer? Not quite. She endured two practice sessions with me; by the second, it was clear she wasn’t exactly won over.
Her reaction reminded me of our complex emotions when tackling public speaking. Whether from a parent or professional, coaching can be met with resistance. In these moments, the right tools and approaches make a world of difference. We typically seek out coaches for their expertise, unique approach, and the time they invest in helping us improve. Moments like these highlight why Yoodli, an AI-driven conversation coach, can be an invaluable resource for anyone facing public speaking or conversation hurdles.
What Makes Yoodli Unique
Until now, speaking coaches have been a luxury reserved for top executives or those with the resources. Yoodli breaks down the barriers by making personalized coaching accessible and user-friendly for everyone. I have been testing many tools in the last year, and what truly sets Yoodli apart is its ability to go beyond surface-level feedback. It analyzes your tone, pacing, and filler words while also evaluating the content of your speech, offering concrete, actionable suggestions for improvement. This is a game-changer which can be used on its own, or in connection with a human coach who you can‘t afford to follow you all day long to review your conversations and presentations.
From Presentations to Polished Small Talk
Let me share an area I’m actively working on: small talk. I would like to believe I’m skilled at engaging in conversations - I’m naturally curious and enjoy asking questions to understand what makes people tick. But, I’ve noticed my mind often races ahead with solutions and ideas, causing me to miss opportunities for active listening and deeper insights.
Practicing with Yoodli has held me accountable for working on my patience and listening skills. This AI tool provides real-time feedback on my delivery and content, pointing out when I dive into “solution mode” too quickly. Beyond suggesting that I should pause more often, it gives me concrete examples of open-ended questions that I can ask to stay present and engaged. Another one of Yoodli’s compelling features is its ability to simulate different conversation partners, like the detail-oriented “analytical guy” persona that I created, who pushes me for specifics. This has been invaluable for refining my casual chats and practicing conversations with more challenging stakeholders. And for those currently interviewing for new roles, you can finally practice those “tell me about yourself” moments that come up in interviews.
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
Until now, many speech recognition tools have struggled with certain dialects, such as Swiss German - let alone Swiss German spoken with a Canadian accent! Most AI tools have historically fallen short in recognizing these dialects, but Yoodli stands out by providing valuable feedback for improvement. Its capability to handle diverse accents and languages makes it an essential tool for multilingual speakers.
Comparing Yoodli to Other AI Coaching Tools
Yoodli’s unique approach becomes even more apparent when comparing it to a similar tool, which I previously spoke about in an earlier blog on Neuroscience Insights:
Orai:
Pros: User-friendly, with real-time feedback on intonation, pacing and filler words. It’s effective for building confidence in vocal delivery.
Cons: While it helps with essential delivery aspects, it doesn’t offer in-depth content analysis, making it less versatile for those needing comprehensive feedback on speech content.
Pros: Yoodli provides robust, real-time feedback not just on your delivery but also on your content. It highlights areas that could be clearer or more engaging and gives specific suggestions for improvement. Its affordability and accessibility make it an attractive choice for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills, not just high-level executives.
Cons: While Yoodli’s real-time insights are impressive, human coaching will provide the more profound, nuanced feedback that AI alone might miss.
3 Key Takeaways for Using Yoodli
Go Beyond Presentations: Yoodli isn’t limited to public speaking; it’s perfect for improving day-to-day communication, including small talk and networking.
Dual-Focused Feedback: Yoodli’s emphasis on content and delivery ensures well-rounded coaching that stands out from other tools.
Practical and Accessible: Whether you’re a seasoned communicator or just starting, Yoodli’s actionable, real-time feedback can help you build skill and confidence.
Humans and Technology
Coaching shouldn’t be a luxury reserved for a few. Whether you’re gearing up for a major presentation or just looking to improve your everyday conversations, Yoodli offers powerful feedback to enhance how and what you communicate.
For those fortunate enough to work with a personal coach, combining the best of human expertise with Yoodli’s AI-driven insights creates an unbeatable duo. Human coaches can harness Yoodli to streamline feedback and analysis, giving them more space to do what they excel at - adding that irreplaceable human touch and nurturing genuine connection and growth.
And yes, in case you’re curious, my daughter aced her presentation, and no, I did not make her use this tool. As much as I value technology, some things - like a heartfelt hug - are beyond a bot’s reach.
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