When I was thinking about the many ways to celebrate #womenshistorymonth2022, our marketing manager Kylie Aberle suggested we talk about #womensupportingwomen. I just love that theme! At Reverb, we have the opportunity to work with so many talented and inspiring women leaders at all levels, so we asked a few of our coaches about their experience coaching other women.
Insights below, and be sure not to miss their favorite “powerful questions” that anyone, not just coaches, can use.
Special thanks to Kristiina Hiukka, Janet Andrews, and Nadja Escolar who bring so much passion to their coaching work, for sharing their insights.
Q: What is your coaching “why?”
Janet: I hope that my coaching helps others be mindful about the nature of their impact. I believe that with each action/inaction, we create a ripple effect that cascades to the co-workers, employees, and stakeholders we interact with as well as to their families and communities. It’s about helping this world be a better place one person at a time.
Nadja: I want to help people see the world as full of promise and possibility.
Kristiina: Coaching has the extraordinary power to transform from inside out. These moments of insight inject hope and positivity not only for my clients, but also for me. I love to be a facilitator and witness to the unlocking of my clients’ potential. Sometimes it happens in gentle and subtle ways over time, sometimes it hits like a storm. Either way, I love it!
What has surprised you most about women you’ve coached?
Janet: When I first started coaching, I was surprised not only by how many accomplished and talented women have imposter syndrome, but also by how common it is across all genders and levels of accomplishment.
Nadja: How unaware they are about their own power and influence. I’ve often seen a gap between how women leaders are perceived by their peers, direct reports and managers, and how they see themselves. Helping them close that gap and to actually feel and experience the power they have is one of the most rewarding things I do in coaching.
Kristiina: The willingness and wisdom to open up and trust the process. One of my clients loved it so much that she became a coach herself! And last week, one of my female clients exclaimed: “Kristiina, you bring brilliance to my life!” She felt that way because through our coaching process she got to shine, feel smart and get stuff done.
What’s something unexpected you’ve learned from a woman you coached?
Janet: That women are sometimes more afraid of making missteps in front of/with female peers than male peers.
Nadja: A client of mine one shared her aspiration for work-life balance as: “Being that kind of leader that knows when she is no longer being productive, closing my computer at 3:00 pm and just calling it a day.” I thought it was a beautiful and powerful visual image to have as a north star. So often we stay put out of a sense of duty or guilt way beyond the time we are being productive. It just requires some self-awareness, grace, and the confidence that we can actually do more tomorrow or the next day when we have the right mindset for it.
Kristiina: Ohhhhh… I’m fascinated by each of my clients! I learn so much from every client. But the most fun I have is when I can borrow some of the wisdom of one client for another one. Sometimes I’m surprised about what my clients say their takeaway from our session is. Often it’s completely different from what I thought was powerful or meaningful for her. It helps me stay humble and never assume anything.
What is your favorite “powerful question?”
Janet: What is the legacy you want to leave?
It’s a question that can be scoped as big ( this organization, this company, in your life, etc.) or small ( in the moment, in the meeting) as the situation warrants.
Nadja: If you were at your most resourceful, how would you manage this situation?
Puts clients in a “creator” mindset when they are feeling powerless.
Kristiina: “What else?” or “If you had the courage, what would you do?” or “What if you were even more curious about it?”
As a coach myself, I can’t resist adding a favorite question “What else might be true?” This one can help you recognize the story you’re telling yourself and open up other possibilities.
Happy coaching and happy last day of Women’s History Month!
