Coach of the Month – March 2016 – Coaching Q & A « Executive and Life Coaching Courses and Information

We are surrounded by so much talent. Our intention is to always encourage growth and support quality, especially in coaching. Together with you we hope to live and work in the environment in which wisdom is shared, ideas spread and there is an opportunity for people to connect and collaborate for the benefit of everyone.

We are proud of our coaching community at PSG and it is our pleasure to provide a platform where professional coaches can introduce themselves, their work, purpose, approach and a view of coaching as a profession. In March we are introducing you to our Featured Coach of the Month, Louise Donnelly. Louise has answered three questions about her lessons learnt, fulfillment gained and an approach to the future.

Take a look at our Coach of the Month – March 2016 Coaching Q & A

PSG: Since qualifying, what are the top 3 lessons you have learnt that support your growth as a coach:

Louise

1. Networking is not just beneficial but a must. I have spoken to numerous coaches, most of whom I had never even met before, since pursuing my coaching career. Hand on heart I can say that I have gained a valuable piece of information from every professional coach I have spoken to. People genuinely like to help. Before my meetings I like to send an email briefly outlining my background and my reason for wanting to speak to a particular coach. This ensures my meeting is productive.
2. There are so many excellent courses available offering CPD in such interesting areas of coaching that I want to enroll in them all. The reality is that this is not possible. I have learnt to stay focused on doing courses and reading material which support my growth in
progressing my goal today. Once this goal is achieved I can then shift my focus to the next area of development.
3. “Success is an iceberg”. I discovered this analogy some time ago and printed out a version for my office wall. It reminds me daily that my success brings me through many different challenges. I have learnt to accept this natural course of challenges. I use it to encourage myself and use some parts of it in my conversation with career coaching clients.

Iceberg
PSG: To – date, as a coach, what has brought you the most fulfillment?

Louise

This is a difficult question to answer as I have gained so much fulfillment as a coach. My own personal development, understanding more about what motivates me, living my life true to my values and believing in myself is amazing. I feel and see the benefits daily. In my business practice I get so much fulfillment when I see my clients experience the benefits of understanding themselves more, identifying their blockages and making that change to move them forward to deliver both personal fulfillment and excellent business results. It is not that I look for thanks from my clients, however, I can honestly say that receiving that email or text from a client who has experienced a positive transformation as a result of our coaching session/sessions is truly inspirational.

PSG: What do you foresee as the main reasons for clients to look for coaching in 2016?

Louise

I have a particular interest in the area of Leadership Coaching. The challenge that faces business leaders continues to be the need to inspire and motivate their teams to deliver the required business results. Nothing new there you might think. However, the generation joining employment at entry level positions today may have different values and expectations. It is expected by 2020 that Millennials will make up to 40% of the workforce. They will touch every company. If businesses are to be successful they need to invest in the success of their employees. Also, the leaders of today need to be able to have the skills to motivate a more diverse employment community. They need to have the skills to lead the Generation X employees, the Millennials and also the older generation, the Baby Boomers. There are a number of key skills which a coach can help a leader identify solutions to which will result in a more successful business.