What kind of consulting do you do?

I focus my consulting practice on organizational development and human resources at the developmental level, although I can also help with tactical human resources consulting (such as refining a performance management process or reviewing an employee handbook). I have two requirements of the consulting clients I engage with: they must be genuinely interested in change, and they must be willing to keep an open mind about what form that change needs to take. Many consulting clients come to me with an idea of what needs to change in their organizations, but when we begin an appreciative inquiry process, we find that the organization needs something different than what we originally theorized. I use established methodologies and processes in my consulting practice that have helped me help dozens of organizations over the years. I match my theories, strategies and tactics to the needs of your organization; no two situations are the same.

How does coaching work?

I am passionate about coaching because I have seen the results it can produce, in my own life and the lives of my clients. Coaching is not consulting and it’s not therapy; it’s a process by which I help my clients discover the answers they already hold within their hearts and minds. I believe we all have “heart knowledge” - things we know without having to think about it. Over time, we can become disconnected from our heart knowledge. Our modern society almost encourages it - after years of being sprayed with an information fire hose, people can lose equilibrium and go into analysis paralysis rather than listening to their inner voice and allowing their heart to help their head make critical decisions. As a coach, I help people reconnect with their deepest dreams and desires (and their heart knowledge) so they can live a fulfilled, peaceful and accomplished life - while being stupendously successful in their careers or businesses.

Okay, but how is coaching different from consulting? And why do you do both?

When I consult, I help my clients create plans, take advantage of opportunities, or face challenges by drawing from my past experience and expertise. In coaching, I help my clients through a process of discovery where they navigate their own inner landscape to find the solutions they need. I match my approach to your needs. If you need a new employee handbook for your company, I’ll consult with you about that and speak from my expertise as a human resources professional. If you, as a leader, are struggling with leading a team or project and need help stepping into your leadership space and owning your power, we will engage in coaching. If members of your executive team are not working well together, and need to find common ground to tackle big challenges - we may do a little bit of both.

How long does a coaching relationship last?

As long as it needs to. It is wholly dependent on the client and his/her needs and goals. I never begin a coaching relationship with an anticipation that it will last a certain number of sessions or hours. Some clients get what they need from two or three meetings; others may stay engaged with me for years.

How long does a consulting relationship last?

As long as it needs to. It depends on the complexity of the issue, the scope of work of the project, and the goals of the client. While I provide an estimated number of hours for a project in the scope of work, I know from experience that sometimes projects take less time than we think, and sometimes they take more.

One last question: What do you love about what you do?

I could write a novel-length answer to that question, but I’ll restrain myself! I believe I have been called to do the work I do in organizational development, human resources and coaching. I made a conscious choice to focus my career around helping people and organizations. Every time I work with a client, I get tremendous energy just by interacting with them, listening to them, and helping them figure out their next steps. I succeed when my clients feel successful - they define what success looks like for them; it’s not about what I think, or feel, or want to do. I also have a strong value around helping my clients create a life that works for them - not just a successful career or business. I have seen my clients experience wild success not just in their job or their business, but in their life. To play a small part in someone else’s success story is immensely satisfying for me.