Reach Your Potential at Work

Whether you're a seasoned executive or a rising leader in today's fast-paced and interconnected world, effective communication skills are crucial for success.

It's not always technical expertise, superior knowledge, or even heightened intelligence that makes people effective in their roles. It's often the exceptional communication skills involved in adapting to the situation and to the style of others that makes people feel understood and valued.

Research shows that people are unconsciously less apt to provide constructive feedback or engage in challenging conversations with people who have a different communication style from themselves. They often feel awkward, ill-equipped, and unable to predict how the other person will respond. Many employees miss out on feedback and potential career opportunities. 

If you are interested in accelerating results, building cohesive teams, and improving employee retention contact Debbie Matters. 
647-269-4528  debbie@ycmatters.com
Debbie Matters, founder of Your Communication Matters Inc.

Accelerate Results and Build Cohesive Teams

Contact Debbie Matters for coaching, communication skills training, and comprehensive programs that support leaders, teams, and high-potential employees to reach their potential and enhance productivity.

Effective Communication Workshops

  • Can be virtual or in-person depending on your preference

  • Are engaging and interactive where participants are encouraged to use real scenarios to practice skills and discuss where these can be applied

  • Range from 3 hours to a full day or a series of sessions

See Communication Workshops for topics.

Coaching

  • Is beneficial for leaders and high-potential employees who want to maximize their strengths, reach their potential faster, and achieve their desired goals

  • Is a series of conversations over 1, 3, or 6 months

See Communication Coaching for more information.

Accelerate Results and Build Cohesive Teams

  • Select the program and modules that will get the best results for your organization, teams, and leaders

  • Teams participate in modules and to get faster, long-term results leaders are coached by Communication Expert and Coach Debbie Matters.

  • Contact Debbie to discuss options
"Debbie was one of the first facilitators in our Leadership Faculty to firmly grasp virtual instructor-led training. I am so happy to recommend her."
Jalyn Anderson, National VP, Talent and Leadership Development, LHH Knightsbridge​​.

Jalyn Anderson

Vice-President, Learning & Development Solutions - North America

Wondering about Debbie's facilitation and coaching style?

Debbie incorporates Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), academic research on creating conditions that foster transformative learning in workplace seminars, and a splash of east coast authenticity. Scroll down to learn more.

Debbie is an extremely attentive and empathetic teacher, which allows her to quickly understand the issues her clients are facing. Her knowledge of human behaviour and refined communication skills result in clear and concise recommendations. What I appreciated the most was her genuine energy, which offered a refreshing and engaging twist to this type of learning.

I would advise that anyone looking to empower themselves, or their corporation, with superior communication skills reach out to her for a chat.

Marc Dallaire, CRA, P.App

Real Estate Specialist at Durham Region

What is Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP)

NLP is an approach to communication and personal development. It helps us see how our thoughts, language, and patterns of behavior impact what we do and how we do it.

It connects neurological processes (neuro) with the language we use (linguistic), and our behavioral patterns learned through experience (programming) to see ourselves objectively.

NLP recognizes how the conscious use of language can bring about changes in thoughts and behavior. It also focuses on how our internal communication impacts what we say and do at work, at home, and everywhere in between. We can use it to identify and modify unconscious habits or learned patterns of behavior and thinking that may be hindering our productivity and ability to achieve our desired outcomes.
Contact Debbie to find out more.
647-269-4528 debbie@ycmatters.com

Common Questions about NLP

What are some examples of NLP techniques?

Anchoring – The same way that hearing a song can make us feel a certain way or smelling a favorite food triggers hunger, anchoring is intentionally setting up these triggers. Anchoring is setting up a new association or trigger of something we hear, see, smell, or feel with a desired internal state or changing a previously established anchor.

Framing and Reframing – Just as the frame on a picture impacts how we see it and what you focus on, in NLP, framing is using specific words to help people discover a different perspective (frame). It helps us shift or expand our focus, so we have a larger or different view. A question, metaphor, or statement can free people up to see themselves in situations objectively and unleash their resourcefulness.

Future Pacing – Similar to how successful athletes visualize the path to glory, in NLP, clients visualize having reached a desired outcome. This frees us up when feeling stuck – or clouded by emotion – to address issues, resolve problems, or navigate challenges or limitations. It helps access insights that may not have been previously obvious.

What are the benefits of NLP?

NLP is beneficial to:

  • Get results faster and improve workplace relationships by helping people identify what may be getting in the way

  • Get clarity on strategies and next steps to reach desired goals

  • Reduce self-doubt and improve their interactions with others

  • Identify innovative strategies, gain personal empowerment, and foster an attitude of accountability

  • Achieve personal growth

What is NLP based on?

NLP is based on the premise that we use internal ‘maps’ that have been learned through sensory experiences. We use these maps to navigate and make sense of what is happening around us.

Using these maps, our brain creates shortcuts or habits in what we think, feel, and do. NLP helps to detect and modify unconscious biases or limitations we have naturally created in our internal maps. Often the habits worked well in the past. They simply need to be updated.

How do I describe NLP to people who are unfamiliar with it?

NLP is a framework of tools and techniques that frees people up to communicate or lead others more effectively and reach their potential. It is a way to see ourselves and situations objectively. It allows us to see and clear away any hindering perceptions, emotions, or unconscious biases so we can make decisions with clarity and confidence.

Do clients feel like they are being ‘techniqued’ or that NLP techniques feel inauthentic or manipulative?

No, most NLP techniques are subtle. In situations where a technique is not subtly woven into the conversation, it is briefly described and the client is asked if they would like to proceed.

East Coast Authenticity

Although I live in Toronto, Ontario, my upbringing in Eastern Canada, particularly Prince Edward Island, significantly influences my coaching, training, and facilitation approach.

Clients often comment on several qualities in my coaching, training, and facilitation style that reflect the Eastern Canadian way of life. These qualities include:

Friendliness: Tourists visiting PEI often comment that Islanders greet them like family. I jokingly comment that “We just don’t know any better. We don’t just talk to strangers; we welcome them into our homes.” This is partially true. Growing up with a strong sense of community and reliance on tourism, we have an unconscious bias for warmth and openness to people. We tend to know our neighbors and we view ‘people from away’ potential friends we haven’t met yet. The warm hospitality shows up in my coaching and facilitation.

Engaging: Building on friendliness, Easterners seem to organically develop the skills to make people feel comfortable and engaged. I may have enhanced this aspect more than some which you can read about in my story ‘My Role Matured as I Did’ which is published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Caregiver. 

Knowledgeable: People from Eastern Canada exhibit an intriguing characteristic of natural curiosity, driving them to stay informed about national and global issues. This curiosity may arise from the slower pace of life, affording ample time for reflection and fostering an inquisitive mindset towards people and various matters. Additionally, the region's economy, centered around tourism and agriculture, may be influenced by global issues such as pollution and global warming, further prompting Eastern Canadians to pay attention to these pressing concerns.

Adaptable: Many people from Eastern Canada are a mixture of simplicity and sophistication. We are just as comfortable causally chatting about complex issues over a simple meal as presenting practical strategies in a boardroom. As a result, we have learned the skills to cope with the challenges that may come. We bring calm to chaos. Perhaps we are impacted by the seasonal extremes in the east coast weather. It snows and gets cold in most of Canada, but the east coast gets A LOT of snow with a strikingly humid coldness. Spring brings the energy and excitement with the beginning of the farmers' growing season and fishermen's preparation for fishing. Summer days are very hot or wet. Then the fall brings amazing colors on the land while getting us ready for the pending coldness. I believe that contributes to our adaptability and resourceful – accepting that nature is in charge and it is up to us to thrive. We learn to weather the storms and be ready for whatever happens next.

Contact Debbie Matters to explore ways to empower people to reach their potential at work.
647-269-4528 debbie@ycmatters.com