The coaching profession is as diverse as the leaders it serves. Finding the right fit is crucial.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

ICF Certification (Non-Negotiable): Look for a coach certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). This means they have completed robust training, been mentored by master coaches, passed a rigorous exam, and agreed to abide by a strict code of ethics. This code ensures two critical things:

• Commitment to YOUR Agenda: A certified coach will not mislead you by telling you what they would do or leading you down a path that worked for others but may not align with your values and goals.

• Strict Confidentiality: Even if your employer pays, a certified coach can only disclose attendance. They cannot disclose what you discussed—including if you are looking for another job. I have seen people get fired after non-certified coaches disclosed confidential conversations to their employers.

Values Alignment: Coaching is human development. Ensure your core values align. For example, if you value creativity and exploration, don't hire a coach with a rigid, structured approach.

Track Record: Look for a coach who has helped people achieve similar goals to yours. Then, ask them how they did it.

Vibe: Get on a call. That first interaction should feel like a coaching call. You should feel seen, understood, and valued. You should walk away with new awareness and greater clarity on your path forward.

WHAT TO SKIP:

Industry or functional specialization: If a coach only works in one area, they are more likely to carry the same blind spots and biases of that industry, which can box you in.

Coaching should expands your sense of self and what you believe is possible; you want a coach who can hold that space and guide you on that journey without constraints.

Most of my clients are senior and executive leaders working on cultivating their strategic leadership, influence, and impact.

The breakdown is roughly:

• 40% Non-Profit and Government Executives.

• 40% Private Sector Functional Leaders (e.g., People & Culture/HR, Operations, Technology).

• 20% Business Owners working on pivoting or scaling their businesses.

I see this diversity as a significant advantage for my clients. It allows me to pull insights and best practices from across industries and functions, ensuring we are not constrained by the trends, fads, or limiting beliefs that can sometimes overtake a specific sector.

I endeavor to deliver a minimum 10X return on your investment in coaching within 18 months.

How? That depends on your goals and success metrics, which we will define up-front. My clients typically see a return in five key areas:

Reclaimed Time & Energy: Reclaim 8 to 12 hours per week (up to 60 days a year) previously lost to reactivity, firefighting, and over-functioning.

Enterprise Impact: Shift from overlooked expert to sought-after strategic partner. Develop true strategic partnerships that enable you to shape enterprise strategy, influence decisions outside your function, and fundamentally change how people think.

Improved Team Performance: Measurably improve team engagement and performance (one client moved her 70-person department from the least engaged to the most engaged in the company). Master the arts of culture architecture and performance management, so you can evolve your team to meet the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and ease.

Profound Personal Transformation: Build an unshakable sense of self – and the capability and confidence to harness your energy and build the future you’ve always known deep down was possible.

Income: Get compensated fairly for the value you create. Recently, I’ve helped two clients negotiate off-cycle promotions and raises and two clients land their dream jobs at new organizations.

The world of leadership coaching is incredibly diverse; there is no set standard. So, rather than comparing myself to others, I'll share what makes my approach unique.

I use an inside-out approach that seeks to create measurable external results through deep inner transformation. To do this, I’ve created a method that sits at the intersection of Strategy, Science, and Soul:

Strategy: The expertise and experience that come from my 15+ years in enterprise consulting, organizational development, and DEI integration.

Science: The science of neurobiology and evidence-based practices. I leverage modalities like Imago Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and I/O psychology, constantly integrating the latest academic research.

Soul: Helping people deepen and integrate their faith, spirituality, and connection to that which is bigger than themselves—whatever that may be—into their leadership and growth.

It means we use science to up-level performance and make change that actually sticks. 

Neurobiology refers to the structure and function of the nervous system, the network of nerves that connects your brain and bodily systems and functions as your body’s command center. When I talk about using neurobiology in coaching, I’m talking about improving how your nervous system functions. For example:

• Maximizing cognitive and creative performance

• Developing practices to stay calm, grounded, and in control under pressure

• Spending more time in “rest-digest” mode, which is when we also repair cells, do deep learning, and problem solve.

Strategic leadership requires a regulated nervous system. Improving the health of yours is among the highest-leverage investments you can make in yourself. Period.

These supports offer different types of value:

• Consultants tell you what to do (expert advice).

• Mentors/Peers guide you down the path and offer solutions that reflect their values and experience.

• Coaching helps you discern the right path and the right solution for you.

This distinction is critical now. The world has changed; what worked before often no longer works. Leaders today don't need a pre-packaged solution. They need to know how to find the solution, now and in the future. Coaching develops your internal compass and capabilities to navigate that complexity.

Therapy is generally about getting you from dysfunctional to functional by diagnosing & treating mental health disorders and healing past traumas. Therapy is typically problem-oriented. In a therapeutic relationship, the therapist is the expert. 

Coaching is about getting you from functional to exceptional by clarifying your future goals and doing the inner work required to achieve those goals. Coaching is typically solution-oriented. In a coaching relationship, the client is the expert.

Some say therapy is past-oriented, while coaching is future-oriented. I do not subscribe to this belief, as our past shapes our mindsets – which dictate 95% of what we think, feel, say, and do. I believe we must return to our past in coaching, if we want to create real change that sticks in the future.

When I guide clients to revisit their past, I always do so from a place of non-judgment, curiosity, and compassion. And I like to offer a selection of tools/methods, so you can experiment with what works well for you. My toolbox draws from many spheres, including somatic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, internal family systems, meditation & visualization, and narrative therapy – and I’m always learning and developing!

And you are always always in control. You set the goal, direction, and pace. You choose the method. And you own the experience and insight. 

There is never a bad time for coaching. It is always helpful to have a partner whose only agenda is your success—someone to help you cultivate awareness, shed light on blind spots, and do the inner work necessary to walk your path with greater confidence and ease.

That said, clients usually reach out when they are standing at a crossroads:

1. The Disquiet: You hear a whisper saying, "You're destined for more," or "This doesn't feel right." You aren't sure how to respond, but you are ready to get curious.

2. The Stuckness: You feel frustrated by the slow pace of progress. You know where you want to go, but can’t seem to make it happen.

3. The Leap: You are on a succession plan or eyeing that next big role, and you want to do the work now to equip yourself for inevitable success.

This is a big mistake. By the time leaders feel truly "stuck," they are often already frustrated, depleted, and nearing burnout. This can damage performance, relationships, and reputation—requiring significant repair work.

Don't wait until you are depleted. Sure, you could do it yourself, but coaching helps you do it much faster. Life is short; why do it the hard way if you don't have to?

No need to wait. I am very flexible and work with clients to design a coaching program that meets their needs. If you need to take a pause from coaching for a big life event, we will do that and pick it right back up when you're ready. You will not be charged during your pause.

Coaching is designed to save you time, not cost you more. As my client Chris noted, "I worried about the time commitment, but coaching actually saved me time." The goal is to help you align your energy with what matters most, achieving more impact with less effort.

If you just can’t add another thing to your list, that’s a signal that your current approach is unsustainable. Our brains need space throughout the day to pause, integrate, and return to center. If you don’t have that, let’s create it. 

I don't want to put you in the position of having to "sell" an investment in my work. Let me do that for you.

During our Clarity Call, we will first ensure I am the right partner to help you achieve your desired outcomes. If we agree to move forward, the next step is for us to meet with your manager and any key decision-makers.

We will use that time to understand what business results would make coaching a worthwhile investment for the organization and address any questions or concerns they have. I will handle the business case.

About 50% of my clients choose to invest in coaching themselves, and none regret it. Coaching is first and foremost an investment in you.

If your company isn't willing to invest and you feel held back, that's even more reason to invest in yourself and grow beyond your current circumstances.

The ROI is often immediate. I recently helped two self-funded clients secure executive promotions at new companies, and two others secure off-cycle promotions with pay raises. In all four cases, the salary increase exceeded their investment in coaching within the first year—not counting the opportunity cost of waiting years to reach that next level.

Note: I offer special rates for individuals who choose to self-fund coaching because I want to reward people committed to investing in themselves.

Ready to rewire your leadership for inevitable success? Perfect. This call is for you.

By the end of this call, you will have clarity on:

• Your above-all-else goals

• What you must address or resolve to achieve those goals

• The most important next step in your growth journey

This is not your typical sales call. My goal is not to sell you on my services. My goal is to ask questions that create new awareness and offer resources that help you turn that awareness into action.

If I'm the right partner to help you achieve your goals, I'll follow up our call with a formal proposal. If not, I'll gladly share resources/referrals from my network.