FAQs
What does a coach do?
At its heart, coaching is about helping clients identify what they really want and then making a plan to go after it. Sounds simple, right? If only it were . . .
Most of us are afraid to even think about what we truly want, let alone find the courage to go after it. I had a client once tell me that they were afraid to envision their ideal life because it might look very different from their current one and would require them to do things very differently to achieve it. I get it. I used to be so busy and disconnected with myself that I didn’t question anything. I didn’t question whether I was happy. I didn’t question whether I was fulfilled. I definitely didn’t question whether there was a better way to shape my personal life and my career. Yet once we have the courage to ask these questions and explore the answers, we are on our way.
As a coach I also help clear the obstacles. What is getting in your way? You’re not going to like this, but for most people the answer is themselves. We do a great job of getting in our own way. We let fear or status quo or our inner saboteurs run the show and wonder why we don’t achieve what we really want for ourselves.
Great coaches support and encourage, but they also push and question. They help you move beyond the obstacles and find the success you dare to aspire to.
What should I be thinking about when I’m selecting a coach?
You mean besides how great it would be to work with me? 😊 I am not right for every client. And every client is not right for me. Coaching is predominantly about chemistry. Yes, coaches should carry the right credentials and experience. (I have plenty of acronyms after my name and many, many years of experience working with leaders.) But the coaching magic only happens when the chemistry is there. Do you feel safe and supported by the coach? Do you like their philosophy and coaching style? Do they inspire you? These are the most important qualities in matching with the right coach.
As a coach, my best clients are self-aware, focused on their goals and willing to put in the work. (You get out of this what you put into it.) I absolutely love watching my clients achieve big things.
Why did you become a coach?
I’m a coach because I have all of the answers. 😊
I’m kidding. I don’t have all the answers. You do.
I believe each of us has everything we need to achieve our biggest dreams. Think about that for a moment. We have everything we need. Deep down, we know the answers we’re seeking and we know the path forward. Sometimes we just need a good partner to help draw them out.
I coach because I live for those “aha moments” that take you closer to being the person you want to be. When my clients discover a new way of thinking about something, I can see, hear, and feel it. It is an incredible thing to witness.
What’s your philosophy on coaching?
Some coaches have a very structured program. You do A, then B, then C. Some coaches are free wheeling and go wherever the conversation takes them. I’m somewhere in the middle. I believe that for a coaching engagement to be successful, it needs to be tailored to your goals and your needs. I have many tools and techniques to share, but ultimately everything is customized for you. You may love visioning exercises or you may hate them. You may be super into assessments, or you might geek out on book recommendations. I’ve got you covered.
Customized doesn’t mean randomized, though. I’m personally a very organized and goal oriented, and I’m serious about supporting my clients in meeting their own goals. As we go along the path, I’ll do regular check-ins to make sure we have the right amount of structure for you, and that we keep your goals in sight. When you need space to work an urgent issue, find a sounding board, or just let it all out, I’ll be there to hold that space for you.
What’s your take on women navigating the workplace?
I have plenty of direct experience with the challenges women face in the workplace, many of them steeped in gender bias. It’s interesting that through most of my career I navigated gender bias without a lot of conscious acknowledgment or strategy. Bias just wasn’t talked about in the workplace back then, and I wasn’t educated on the common forms it takes. One of the tricky things about modern gender bias is that it’s much subtler than what our mothers and grandmothers experienced. On paper, we are invited to an equal seat at the table. In reality, there are layers of subtle biases that impact us in very real ways and result in those seats remaining empty. Leadership roles are gendered to fit men’s lives and situations. Women are evaluated on performance while men are evaluated on potential. Being means that there are plenty of assumptions made about our commitments to and interests in our careers. Being more aware about biases gives us the opportunity to share with others, find support, and more consciously strategize on ways to manage them. By understanding the dynamics at play, we can find better ways to navigate our careers.
What can I expect when working with you?
You can expect that I will listen to you more intently than just about anyone else in your life. You will feel fully seen, heard, and appreciated by me. You can also expect that, like your annoyingly caring best friend, I will call you on it when you are avoiding the issue, playing it safe, thinking small, etc. I will tell you the things everyone else is afraid to say. I promise it won’t hurt too much. I do so in a very thoughtful, caring way. I enjoy my clients immensely and come to understand and appreciate what makes them great. You will feel safe and you will feel championed. Ready to get started?