Results, in their own words

What leaders say after working with John Bates.

Executives, founders, technical leaders, NASA teams, and TEDx speakers describe what changed when their communication began to match the quality of their ideas and leadership.

The work shows up in the outcome

Better communication changes what becomes possible.

The leaders who work with John are already accomplished. They come because the opportunity has gotten bigger—and how they communicate now matters to audiences, organizations, investors, customers, and careers.

3,000 peopleAlan Nowogrodski prepared for his first 30-minute address to an audience of 3,000.
Five-figure keynoteJason Hewlett transformed an already successful keynote—and had people waiting to book him afterward.
$50,000 prizeGautham Pasupuleti credits John’s pitch coaching with helping his team win Cisco’s Pandemic Response Prize.
Top-ranked sessionTMC Innovation Institute ranked John’s training highest across its healthcare-startup cohort.

High-stakes coaching

When good is no longer good enough.

“Over the course of 12 months, I was able to watch my keynote transform… which then led to not just standing ovations, but people waiting at the side of the stage to book me for their next events. That’s how transformative this was for me.”

Jason Hewlett, CSP, CPAEKeynote speaker, author, entertainer and emcee

“I was going to speak in front of 3,000 people for the first time… John helped me with everything from storytelling to deck design, to body language and more. His program is easy to follow and informative but the experience really shines when you get on the phone with him. Super good. 10/10.”

Alan NowogrodskiFounder & CEO, Superbar

“John’s approach has helped me understand how to use storytelling to make complex ideas clearer, more relatable, and more memorable without losing the science behind them.”

Orn Supaphol, Ph.D.CTO, Saudi Desert Control

“He doesn’t impose a formula or mold you into someone else’s style—he helps you hone your unique voice so that your message connects with clarity, confidence, and purpose.”

Dr. Nicole Yeldell ButtsTransformational coach and creator of the SHIFT Framework™

Leadership programs and organizational training

Useful in the room. Still useful years later.

The best leadership training does not create a temporary high. It changes how people prepare, lead meetings, explain complex ideas, tell stories, and bring others with them.

“His approach was engaging, practical, and immediately applicable… People walked away with actionable tools they could start using right away, whether presenting to customers, leading meetings, or telling compelling stories.”

Mike GelberChief Product Officer, Impiricus

“This was over a decade ago, but I still pass on John’s tips to colleagues. The only drawback is that I’m now really quite judgmental of poor slide decks.”

Simon JonesCommunications Manager, Creative PEC

“We hired John at the TMC Innovation Institute to work with our healthcare startups… At the end of the cohort, his session was ranked top of all the sessions we do.”

Arielle Rogg, MPH, MBAFormerly with TMC Innovation Institute

“On a scale of 1 to 10, John actually scored an average of 11 as people were crossing out the 10 and writing higher figures.”

Nicola Brown, Chart.PR MCIPRCommunications leader

Where the work creates value

Different stakes. The same fundamental challenge.

Private Executive Coaching

For leaders preparing for a consequential keynote, board presentation, investor conversation, all-hands, media appearance, or new level of visibility.

Explore private coaching

Leadership Programs

For organizations that need their executives, technical leaders, and high-potential talent to communicate with greater clarity, credibility, and influence.

Explore leadership programs

Keynotes and TEDx-Format Talks

For accomplished people whose ideas deserve to be understood, remembered, and acted upon—without turning them into someone they are not.

Explore TEDx-format coaching

Watch the difference

Clients describe the experience in their own words.

Melinda Richter

Former Head of Johnson & Johnson Innovation Labs

Stephanie Venn-Watson

Scientist, physician and founder

High-stakes keynote coaching

Clients describe what changed in their talks and their confidence.

Read more recommendations on John’s LinkedIn profile.

Case Study

See what this work looked like in four very different high-stakes environments.

Explore an enterprise transformation, a 15+ year innovation partnership, a founder keynote that generated qualified meetings, and an extraordinary story that became an award-winning talk.

READ THE GE AEROSPACE CASE STUDY →

READ THE JLABS CASE STUDY →

READ ALAN’S FOUNDER KEYNOTE CASE STUDY →

READ SEBASTIAN’S STORYTELLING CASE STUDY →

Is it time for your communication to match how good you really are?

Tell us what is at stake, who needs to be moved, and what success would make possible. John or a member of the Executive Speaking Success team will follow up personally.

LET’S TALK