The International Coaching Federation defines coaching as” partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and co-creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” I would add to this that coaching is very much rooted in the present – by supporting clients to make choices and decisions based on the here and now – rather than the used to be. Coaching unlocks an individual’s potential to learn, grow through introspection and challenging assumptions to maximize his/her potential. And how do you benefit? Coaching provides you with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to reignite your passion and enthusiasm, to get out of your own way, to fully develop yourself,  and to be effective in your clarity and commitment to yourself,  your vision, your purpose, your company,  your work, your family, and your community.

The coach’s responsibility is to:

• Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve
• Encourage client self-discovery
• Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies
• Hold the client responsible and accountable

Every coach brings their own unique value to the coaching relationship. What I bring is a history of resilience and risk taking – from moving from the UK to the USA to pursue my dreams. From not being afraid to reinvent myself and always leveraging and growing my skills and experiences from one opportunity to another. I am a coach as well as a professional development trainer. I have astrong live in integrity – I’m known for turning down client opportunities when I know (a) they are not ready for the coaching experience (b) I am not the right fit their needs or personality or (c) they require a different type of support outside my area of expertise. I bring entrepreneurial drive, a wide business frame of reference, a quirky British humor, and a flexible collaborative style – I can work with you, your HR team, and your line manager while respecting the needs and boundaries of all.

Coaching is a co-creative partnership. When choosing a partner for any venture, we want to be sure that this is someone we can envision being completely open, trusting and transparent with over an extended period of time. This is someone we should feel comfortable being vulnerable with – enough to show the good, bad and ugly side of who we are without being judged. Fit moves beyond tangible criteria. It’s about rapport and comfort. We discover this in our “Discovery Consultation,” which is not a coaching session. It is an opportunity to get to know each other and for each of us to clarify if we are the right fit.

Confidentiality is critical for building trust, so Vegas rules apply to our coaching relationship. There may be times when your employer requires progress updates or meetings. I will always request your written permission to share basic updates based upon the employer needs and wants. These updates are shared with you (the employee) for approval before being advanced to the employer. Having said this, it’s important to understand that your employer is also a client if they are investing in your coaching development. Any updates and interactions with the employer will be focused on performance behaviors and competencies that the employer requires for someone serving in your role.  Involving your employer/supervisor in your professional development journey has an added potential benefit of strengthening trust, credibility and respect and clarifying performance expectations.

The number of coaching hours and the length of your coaching experience is determined by the coaching package or program selected.  The speed of your results is determined by your commitment follow-up and actions, and your ability to risk doing something different to get a different result.

Coaching helps you set and achieve goals vs. counselling which helps you recognize and solve your problems in life. Coaches are trained to validate the here and now and to close the gap between the “as is” and the “want/need to be.”  A coach’s job is to help a client answer the “now what” question so they can move forward in life. Coaching is not therapy, but it can be therapeutic. Coaching looks toward the future, whereas therapy often looks to the past. Coaching focuses on outcomes, counseling therapy focuses on emotions, Coaching is solution focused, counseling is problem focused. The coach guides the client to find their own answers and solutions, the therapist counselor provides the answers, gives diagnosis, and treatment.  The coach does not give unsolicited advice; the therapist counselor gives advice and recommendations. Counseling seeks to explore the underlying dynamics of individuals and their relationships and to promote self-understanding and self-acceptance.

Our coaching sessions will take place via video link, phone or if feasible, in-person. Depending upon your coaching program or package, session times range from 45 minutes to a 90-minute session. Sessions can be longer when necessary (especially when you are using banked coaching hours). Our sessions will consist of be conversations, skills practice, and reflection. Each session will close with an action you identify and commit to take, to move you closer to your vision and to strengthen target skill competencies. Be prepared to be validated and challenged when necessary. Be prepared to be listened to, and to discover behavioral, belief, and thought patterns that may undermine your success.  As your coach, I will tell you what you need to hear vs. what you want to hear. There are moments that may be uncomfortable. Lean into the discomfort. The breakthrough you are seeking is on the other side of discomfort.

Life happens. There will be times when you or I are unable to make our weekly scheduled coaching appointment. With the required advance notice (at least 24 hours), your coaching time can be rescheduled or banked and used at another time. I am flexible and will accommodate you as per availability. Anything less than the required notice to request a reschedule risks loss of that time with no guarantee of reschedule or refund as subject to the terms of our agreement.  In addition, if you are late for a session, we will not make up the lost time.

Success begins and ends with the attitude you bring to the coaching experience. I guarantee that I will show up 100% focused on you and your development needs. I’ll make the coaching experience, fun, engaging and challenging. However, your results are entirely driven by your level of commitment and your ability to follow through on actions you have committed to take. The only way your coaching experience will not work out is if you are not fully committed to the experience. Coaching is a significant investment and requires an “all in” commitment to maximize the benefits received. All refunds are subject to the terms of the coaching agreement.

My business background is PR, Communications, Marketing, Branding, and Media in the Arts, Education, Non-profit and financial sectors. Having said this, my coaching and training client list expands across multiple business sectors – my professional development services are not sector dependent. The good news is that I bring value-added expertise to help you to build a compelling and credible professional brand presence, and to level-up your communication effectiveness and people management skills. I have entrepreneurial, as well as corporate and non-profit business experience. My clients range from C-Suite executives through to high school seniors. I specialize in working with high potential mid-career professionals, new leaders, and experienced senior executives. I utilize creative solutions and approaches to overcome business challenges, and I have a robust business network that I can leverage when needed. I have coached clients across various global time zones and worked with customers located locally, nationally and worldwide. My Achilles heel? Unfortunately, I do not speak a second language ☹, but I do have ESL instruction experience.

The short answer is yes. Whether we work at home or abroad, most of us encounter and work with people who look, believe, behave and think in radically different ways from us. In a globalized world, our ability to adapt and respectfully interact with people from diverse cultural experiences can create misunderstanding and a conflict-ridden minefield, or a goldmine of opportunity for personal and professional results. I am a certified trainer/coach with the Cultural Intelligence Center. I’m also certified to administer the cultural intelligence (CQ) and the cultural values assessments. The CQ assessment provides deep insights and a comprehensive development pathway to strengthen cultural intelligence (CQ) capability. CQ indicates our capability to function effectively in a variety of cultural contexts – including national, ethnic, organizational and generational. CQ training and coaching is proven to enhance our effectiveness working in culturally diverse situations.

Yes, I highly recommend a consultation before signing up for any coaching service. Chemistry and coaching fit are key to success. Consultations are free and are a good way for us to vet each other for chemistry, relevance, commitment and fit. It also gives me an opportunity to understand your challenges, needs and wants, and those of your organization to determine if I am the right coach for you.

It’s simple. Book a FREE Discovery Consultation Call with me [LINK TO THE BOOK A CALL CALENDAR] or send me an email and I will respond with availability to connect with you.