This is Me
This is my favourite quote right now. I’m telling it to everyone, using it with clients, and even posted it as my facebook status.
It resonates with me because sometimes I stop myself from even starting something if I’m not sure how it’s all going to look at the end. (Has that ever happened to you?) But the biggest reason I like the quote so much is that at my core, I like not knowing what’s gonna happen next. I have dozens of examples where I’ve followed my gut instinct and gone outside my comfort zone not knowing how it was all going to turn out.
Life is really fun for me that way.
(Don’t get me wrong: I’m not so freestyle when it comes to ensuring my kids’ child care plans and school calendars are in place, but I think those foundation pieces allow me the freedom to stay open to opportunities that show up.)
Anyway… I’m a professional coach and I specialize in working with changemakers and leaders.
You should also know that I’m a certified, credentialed coach and I’m committed to the highest standards for ethics and confidentiality, in accordance with the International Coach Federation (ICF) Code of Ethics.
I’ve been a member of the ICF and CAPC (Calgary Association of Professional Coaches) since 2005 and I’ve been involved with the global ICF Membership and Community Committee since January 2008, including Committee Chair in 2011. Just recently, I was elected to the ICF Global Board of Directors.
I took my first coach training course in September 2004 and started coaching “real clients” shortly after that (“real” as in paying for my professional services versus friends and family that let me practice on them).
I’ve been growing my business ever since through a variety of endeavours:
- Coaching individuals on a range of topics including leadership roles, career changes, educational goals, and personal wellness objectives;
- Training leaders at all levels how to be more coach-like with their own employees;
- Facilitating team building sessions;
- Coaching leaders through their 360 feedback reports to help them gain insight and develop plans for action;
- Working with a team of first class practitioners at the Calgary Weight Management Centre.
My entire career prior to coaching was spent in post-secondary education, mostly in administration, and a little bit in teaching. There are A LOT of changemakers who work in universities, colleges, and technical institutes and I had the privilege of working for – and alongside – the best and brightest.
I learned a lot about myself in my 19 years in post-secondary environments:
- I learned that I’m not satisfied with the status quo, especially when it’s because “we’ve always done it that way”;
- I learned that I don’t like to conform for no good reason (this was rewarded at times, and it also got me into trouble a few times);
- I learned that “It is amazing how much can be accomplished if no one cares who gets the credit” (another one of my favourite quotes); and
- I learned that I step up and take a stand for the important things I really believe in.
Finally, I learned that I need to do work that feeds my soul, and so every day I’m grateful that I discovered coaching. It’s my calling, I love it, and I’m really good at it.
I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (about an hour’s drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains), and I am most proud of the balance I have achieved with my work, volunteer commitments and my family.