Background

Nina, a communications professional based in Switzerland came to a point where she was looking to move on to a new job but low self-esteem had been holding her back in job interviews, as well as in certain work situations. She had been invited to a number of interviews but never ended up being the chosen candidate because she was not able to convince interviewers of my skills.

In Nina’s words….

How often/long did you work with Kelly?

I have been working with Kelly for 4 months, doing a session every 2-3 weeks.

What do you think would have been the implications of not dealing with your challenges? And how would you be in 2 -5 years if you had not invested in coaching to deal with those challenges?

If I had not decided to find a solution to the problem, I would likely just remain in the same position and be there in the next 5 years as well. Overall, this would impact my wellbeing negatively, since changing jobs is something that I really would like to achieve. Not finding a new role that suits me would just lead to frustration.

What (if anything) had you previously been doing to address those challenges? What (if any) alternative options did you try before working with Kelly and how did that work out for you? 

This is the first time that I really tried to address the challenge with concrete solutions. Before deciding to reach out to Kelly, I was ‘window dressing’ – that is just finding quick fixes like improving the format of my CV.

What has/have been the result(s)? How would you describe the outcome?

It has been an excellent experience for me because I have been able to really see the whole processes as a holistic one, that involves many factors, including doing some self-reflection and understanding the balance between my professional and private self. I was recently in a job interview where I was able to see how far I had come with the exercises – throughout the interview, I felt like I was being myself and received positive feedback for being just that!

What specific techniques / strategies did Kelly use that helped you the most? (eg. positive psychology interventions, assessments, other exercises, useful resources, her personality, her accountability check-ins, etc…)?

For me, Kelly’s whole approach really helped me. This was a combination of positive psychology interventions, learning meditative techniques, finding routines to boost overall wellbeing as well accountability check-ins. Her positivity throughout has also been wonderful.

How would you describe the impact that coaching has had on your life?

The coaching has helped me create space for addressing challenges that I normally don’t have time to think about in everyday life. It also helps to have an outside perspective to really try and find the best solutions.

How did you discover Kelly and what made you sign up with her?

I started googling coaches in my region and came across her website. The reason that I reached out to her was a combination of her positive psychology approach to coaching as well as her background in communications.

What (if anything) was different about Kelly compared to other coaches you had considered (if any)? 

There is a strong focus on authenticity in Kelly’s approach and also a very holistic approach which is not always the case with other coaches.

Is there anything else you would like to say about working with Kelly? 

It is a pleasure to work with Kelly. She is always looking to find the right exercise and approaches to topics that come up during discussion! This type of flexibility is really valuable in exploring things that I need to work on.

What would you say to someone who’s unsure about whether to work with Kelly?

It is definitely worth exploring whether Kelly’s approach can help.

Background

Rachel, an HR leader who’s based in London, came to me with the following challenges:

– Lack of confidence in her professional credibility
– Fear of making significant changes to her working life
– A lack of drive and positivity in relation to taking the next professional step
– A lack of knowledge or a sense of not knowing what her next steps needed to be

In Rachel’s words….

How often/long did you work with Kelly?

4 months – July – October 2019 (7 sessions in total)

What do you think would have been the implications of not dealing with your challenges? And how would you be in 2 -5 years if you had not invested in coaching to deal with those challenges?

Staying stuck in a rut – not making the changes that I’ve been wanted to make for such a long time but have been too scared to make.

What (if anything) had you previously been doing to address those challenges? What (if any) alternative options did you try before working with Kelly and how did that work out for you? 

Over the years I have changed jobs a number of times in the hope that the next job would be the thing that ‘fixed’ everything! It never was…

What has/have been the result(s)? How would you describe the outcome?

Working with Kelly has been amazing for me. Kelly is open and so easy to talk to and be honest with. She has used positive psychology skilfully to enable me to make a significant mindset shift and through helpful exercises and powerful questioning and reflection techniques she has rebuilt my confidence and given me the self-belief I needed to take the next step in my career. I don’t feel stuck anymore!

What specific techniques / strategies did Kelly use that helped you the most? (eg. positive psychology interventions, assessments, other exercises, useful resources, her personality, her accountability check-ins, etc…)?

PERMA
Goal setting
Confidence exercises
Developing my niche and key messaging
Identifying my successes and strengths
Ted Talks
Recommended connections

How would you describe the impact that coaching has had on your life?

Coaching with Kelly has been instrumental in enabling me to make really significant changes to my life, my work and most importantly my mindset. As a result of our coaching I now feel capable and confident and I truly value my strengths. My sessions with Kelly gave me a sharp focus on what actions I needed to take and gave me the motivation and momentum to take them. Between sessions Kelly was incredibly supportive and the gentle way she regularly checks in has helped me stay on track and maintain focus between our sessions. It also made me feel truly supported and believed in. Thank you so much Kelly!

How did you discover Kelly and what made you sign up with her?

I discovered Kelly’s website through my interest in positive psychology and coaching. I got in touch to tell her how fantastic I thought her website and branding was and Kelly was incredibly kind to me and spent time talking to me about her experience and her journey. I felt a connection to her immediately and it was this that made me sign up for coaching.

What (if anything) was different about Kelly compared to other coaches you had considered (if any)? 

The positive psychology approach was different from other coaches I have worked with or considered. I also really identified with her purpose and her personal career journey.

Is there anything else you would like to say about working with Kelly? 

Kelly has a really relaxed style, she puts you at ease and uses questioning really skilfully – she can challenge you to think differently whilst always being supportive and non-judgemental. She also has a gorgeous dog

What would you say to someone who’s unsure about whether to work with Kelly?

Don’t hesitate – do it, you will be grateful!

Background

My client, who is based in the UK, was referred to me as she was extremely unhappy with her current career, she was also experiencing challenges with her mental health. I therefore recommended that we tackle her wellbeing with a sustainable approach first to get her strong, happy and confident for her career change.

In my client’s words….

How often/long did you work with Kelly?

3 Skype sessions over 3 months plus email support.

What do you think would have been the implications of not dealing with your challenges? And how would you be in 2 -5 years if you had not invested in coaching to deal with those challenges?

The implications of not addressing repeated negative career experiences had an impact on my mental, physical health and happiness. It resulted in me leaving one job after 3 months and getting fired from the next employer 6 months later (after only being in the role 4 months.) If I continued to make the same career choices and work in the same industry sectors, the consequences would repeat themselves. And those implications would severely impact my mental and physical wellbeing.

What (if anything) had you previously been doing to address those challenges? What (if any) alternative options did you try before working with Kelly and how did that work out for you? 

Before I worked with Kelly I addressed my challenges in a 12 Step programme, which I became of member of due to an addiction to alcohol. Alongside working the 12 Steps of Alcoholic Anonymous, I had weekly therapy sessions around negative and unhelpful behaviours as a result of addiction, co-dependency and childhood trauma. While this work has been vital to my sobriety, Kelly’s positive psychology technique was a welcomed fresh approach to addressing my unhappiness and career challenges.

What has/have been the result(s)? How would you describe the outcome?

Working with Kelly has expanded my thinking outside of my 12 Step Programme and 1:1 therapy work. It has made me think and approach my happiness from a different angle due to the Positive Psychology methods, PERMAH testing and a wellbeing strategy Kelly did for me.

What specific techniques / strategies did Kelly use that helped you the most? (eg. positive psychology interventions, assessments, other exercises, useful resources, her personality, her accountability check-ins, etc…)?

The wellbeing strategy Kelly created me was an eye opener. Based on my PERMAH results, objectives and current state of mental health, Kelly created a guide of goals and objectives to improve my happiness outside of work in order to be in fit condition to approach a career change. I first needed to address my unhappiness before I could address an unfulfilling career. Having the weekly objectives backed with data to support positive their outcomes was very beneficial.

How would you describe the impact that coaching has had on your life?

I have tried many different methods and approaches to addressing feelings of being unfulfilled in and outside of my career. (From CBT to 12 Step Programmes) Kelly’s wellbeing strategy really struck home for me. Having a weekly plan/manual for living based on what gives me joy and happiness. And the work required improving my mental and physical wellbeing. Almost like a guide for living!

How did you discover Kelly and what made you sign up with her?

Kelly came as a recommendation from a personal contact of mine. I liked the sound of her experience and approach from her website and scheduled a free consultation call with her.

What (if anything) was different about Kelly compared to other coaches you had considered (if any)? 

Let’s put it this way. I have a straight talking therapist who says it how it is and works with me to address my co-dependency issues. I have an AA sponsor who hits me over the head with the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous / The 12 Step Programme. So working with Kelly, who is calm and kind, was a breath of fresh air. Her approach comes from positive support instead of a place of fear and consequences.

Is there anything else you would like to say about working with Kelly? 

I wish I could work with her more! She is such a lovely woman. And I can not thank her enough for going above and beyond to support me during a very difficult chapter in my life.

What would you say to someone who’s unsure about whether to work with Kelly?

Do it – you will not regret it.

Background

Neil, who works for a medium-sized organisation and is based in the UK, was at a crossroads in his career, having recently changed role from general management to an HR lead within his company. He was hence unsure whether this new career direction matched his strengths and was going to lead to a future career that he could be successful in.

In Neil’s words….

How often/long did you work with Kelly?

Worked with Kelly for roughly 2 months.

What do you think would have been the implications of not dealing you’re your challenges? And how would you be in 2 -5 years if you had not invested in coaching to deal with those challenges?

I think it would have led to me becoming more and more unhappy and uncertain with my current company and probably ultimately result in looking for another role in another company.

What (if anything) had you previously been doing to address those challenges? What (if any) alternative options did you try before working with Kelly and how did that work out for you? 

I had been open with the CEO and some other colleagues about how I was feeling and to be fair they were very supportive. I also had done some internal reflection on my position and discussed things with my family. Ultimately it was the CEO who suggested I tried a career coach and in fact googled some links which included one for Kelly.

What has/have been the result(s)? How would you describe the outcome?

Overall really pleased with the outcome of the coaching. To be honest I didn’t really know what to expect when it started, and was uncertain over the process, but in terms of the goals set all were achieved and I feel much more content in my role and the direction I am taking with my current company.

What specific techniques / strategies did Kelly use that helped you the most? (eg. positive psychology interventions, assessments, other exercises, useful resources, her personality, her accountability check-ins, etc…)?

I found a couple of the assessments that Kelly got me to complete, particularly related to my personality type and character really useful, especially when we talked it through together. This gave me great insights into both my strengths and weaknesses which gave a solid foundation for the later discussions around how I can best exploit these. Kelly also provided some excellent strategies for how to deal with my weaknesses and manage them effectively.

How would you describe the impact that coaching has had on your life?

Very positive. My happiness at work was very much out of balance with the rest of my life and I feel Kelly’s support has helped massively to address that.

How did you discover Kelly and what made you sign up with her?

As I mentioned above, the CEO actually googled career coaches and Kelly’s name came up. I looked on her website and had an initial conversation with her where she explained the process and I felt she was someone I could work with.

What (if anything) was different about Kelly compared to other coaches you had considered (if any)? 

First experience of career coaching, so don’t have anything to compare to.

Is there anything else you would like to say about working with Kelly? 

I’d like to thank Kelly again for her help. I was a bit sceptical at the start having not tried anything like this before but it turned out to be a great decision.

What would you say to someone who’s unsure about whether to work with Kelly?

I would highly recommend giving Kelly a try, she is insightful and supportive and pushes you to think about how you can help yourself to overcome the issues you face.