Medical Executive Coaching

"Tony worked with me across multiple sessions to improve my ability to present and communicate answers when re-sitting my fellowship exams in surgery. I believe he played a big part in allowing me to confidently communicate my knowledge to the examiners to allow me to pass my vivas. I highly recommend Tony for those needing a coach to polish your speaking style in an exam setting to better articulate your answers, and I cannot thank him enough."
Dr JR / FRACS / Upper Gastrointestinal Surgical Fellow / Conjoint Associate Lecturer

[Counts as CPD] Based on expert opinion, you can claim these MEC sessions towards your points for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). After all, the main MEC objective is to improve your communication skills for job interviews and vivas. That counts as CPD.

Did you know a CLINICAL VIVA and ACTING ON STAGE share many similarities?
Obviously, both are live - so on the day - there’s no going back for Take 2.
Both improve with practice - so rehearse-rehearse-rehearse – whereby after lots of rehearsals you develop resilience, such as replying to curly questions.
Both are reliant on you knowing your lines – clearly, you need solid knowledge of the subject matter.
Both need good performances/ presentations – think of it as putting on a show – so your delivery of that content is heavily critiqued by assessors.

Job interview success timeline:
Day 0 - Request for last minute interview coaching session.
Day 2 [First session] – Analyse existing style / Key performance techniques / Telling a good story.
Day 4 [Second session] – Practice, practice, practice interview questions / Critical feedback.
Day 5 - Job Interview 1.
Day 6 - Job Interview 2.
Result - “Letting you know I got job offers from both interviews I did last week. Really appreciate all your help and advice. Quite amazing how fine tuning can change my job situation in a short time. Looking forward to do more sessions with you early next year!” [Comment] The short timeframe was not ideal, however it can be done!

Coaching Advice 101 (for non-actors) | DRESS UP & OWN IT!
[Applicable for the upcoming job interviews, clinical exams, vivas]
It should come as no surprise that your external appearance matters to interviewers and examiners. And I know it sounds simple, obvious and superficial but dressing up for the part is expected in the acting world! So beyond the standard corporate outfit (dark colours), also consider additional stuff like: basic props (glasses or contacts?), neat hair (product or no?) and simple makeup (cover up any dark shadows!). One young-looking BPT told me he gelled his hair back to look like an older consultant for his clinical exams! If possible, I like to run my final tutoring session as a full dress rehearsal. That way you’re comfortable with your chosen outfit (not fidgeting with your collar or scratchy hem). Obviously, the rest is up to your performance. To some degree, you can use the outfit to own the role. Don’t hold back. Go ahead and project the better (more confident) version of yourself! Good luck everyone!

“Thanks for everything. I passed!” Obviously, this is what a tutor wants to hear. Then as an added bonus, I also got this text exchange . . .

Elation! Wish I could bottle it up!
As an actor, I get euphoric whenever I’m cast for a role.
Similarly as a tutor on presentation/ performance tips, I also get ecstatic whenever my students succeed!
Here’s what got me excited:
“Wanted to tell you the good news - I passed!! Thank you so much for all your help! There were so many moments just before and during the vivas that I was running through your advice in my head.” Surgical Trainee, Concord Hospital, Sydney Australia

Useful tips for interviewees: (1) “Stick to the Facts” and (2) “Be Yourself”. Sounds simple, right? Well, the former should be easy, given as doctors we’re constantly giving advice to patients, colleagues, family, friends, random people, etc. However, the latter can be challenging under stressful situations, such as TV interviews, viva exams, job interviews, etc.
Best advice it to switch to that better version of yourself! And practice, practice, practice. Essentially, it’s about being a good story-teller! If you need any help, please contact us.

MEDICAL MEDIA TRAINING (MMT)
Increasingly, during this evolving pandemic, media outlets will seek the opinions of multiple doctor sources (experts, GPs, hospital, etc). So be prepared for that spot TV interview!
If you’ve had no experience, would you like to be media ready? Be comfortable in front of camera? Sound trustworthy? But not too stiff? Nor over-the-top? Would you like some helpful tips? A couple of practice sessions may help you be yourself while under the spotlight!

Keen to improve your presentation technique? Showcase the best version of yourself? Ensure content delivery matches your expertise? Project confidence under duress? All of the above? Plus more?
MEC has useful tips that are effective immediately and empowering for life. It may only take 2 – 3 sessions.