Client Stories

These are *stories from some of my clients. They graciously offered to share them
so others could see what working with me, and coaching, can do to create a work life you love.

Ellen's Story

I found what I thought would be my forever dream job, it “checked all the boxes”. Two years in and things changed; the organization was bought by a much larger company. I didn’t “click” with the new team; I felt isolated and under-valued. My new manager often cut me off in meetings. I was in a bad place; moody and temperamental, at home things became tense, impacting my family. I wasn’t sleeping well, working crazy hours to meet the new demands and accommodate time-zone shifts so my work would be more visible. There was no way I could quit, but I couldn’t stay either ...and I was worried about being laid off.

I really didn’t know what to expect from coaching.

Working with Carleen I learned to value my expertise independent of whatever feedback I get (or don’t get) from others, which helped me feel more confident that whatever happened, I would be able to find work in my field. With less pressure on keeping this job I decided to talk with my manager; it was scary and uncomfortable, but helped our working relationship. I’m much happier now at work, I work fewer hours without worrying I’ll be fired and my home life is better too. I was able to use my health care spending account (part of my group benefits at work) to pay for the coaching (as a wellness expense). Carleen was amazing at helping me figure out what I needed and how to make the change.

Jordan's Story

I received a promotion to the executive level and felt it was because I had everything I needed to succeed. Initially things went well. However, within the first 6 months I received feedback that my employees found me distant and condescending – my leadership style was putting us at risk of losing key staff members. That came as quite a shock, because I had lead teams successfully before. It was clear I wasn’t juggling the new responsibilities and leading a business unit effectively. I was referred to Carleen, and she suggested I take an emotional intelligence assessment.
The assessment helped me see I was valuing results over the impact my leadership style was having on others. I worked with Carleen for 8 months – she has an interesting

approach; it was up to me to identify what I wanted to work on and she built a program around it. I was concerned that I wouldn’t have a lot of time for coaching, but most of the things she asked me to do only took a few minutes a day, and they helped me to see what I needed to do differently in the context of my role as an executive. We met every two weeks, and when I couldn’t get out of the office because of my schedule or travel, she met with me via video conference. I would highly recommend Carleen as a coach. The program she put together helped me make changes I needed to, and accommodated my needs. I have a much better relationship with my staff and I am more effective in my role, building the strategic direction for my department.

Rosa's Story

I asked for coaching at work because I wanted to be considered for a promotion to manager. I found Carleen on-line and after speaking to her on the phone I wanted to work with her, she understood what I wanted right away and I felt comfortable that she could help. We began my coaching program by looking at where I was in my career, what things supported my future as a manager and what might hold me back.

It was sometimes hard to look at myself in my work that way, but Carleen made it easier by helping me to see some of the things holding me back did help me at one point in my life,

but they couldn’t help me where I was going. I loved working with her, she brought things to my attention that I couldn’t see, and made me feel good about the progress I was making. I am not a manager yet, but my manager has seen good changes in my approach to my work and the way I am involving others - he wants to recommend me for promotion when a position opens up. I was lucky because my company covered the coaching sessions, and I paid for two more because I could see the value my coaching program was giving me. I would recommend coaching with Carleen to anyone who is trying to improve themselves.

Carlos' Story

I reached out to Carleen because I was in a toxic working environment and needed to figure out what my next move was in my career. Financially I couldn’t leave my job, but I was finding the job search really challenging while working full-time in a stressful workplace. Carleen helped me figure out what I needed in my next role so I could focus on pursuing only those opportunities and employers that would ensure I didn’t go from a bad situation to a worse one.

She also helped me find ways to cope with the environment

I was working in so I felt like I had a choice and didn’t rush into the first opportunity I could get. I have a new job now and things are great. I think I would have gotten here eventually on my own, but because I used a coach, I was able to find a new opportunity in my field much quicker, and it is a really good role. I was a little surprised at how much the coaching program cost, but in the end my new role pays better and so this was a good investment in myself and my career. I have no regrets about the cost and would consider coaching with Carleen again.

Janna's Story

I was given Carleen’s name after I thought I had made a big mistake in taking a promotion at work. My manager convinced me I was ready for leading a technical team, and I wanted to believe her, but I felt so overwhelmed after I took on the role that it began to impact my personal life. I didn’t want my manager to know that I was suffering with my new responsibilities, so I paid for my own coaching. Carleen billed it as professional development, allowing me to apply for some money back on my income tax, which was helpful. My program focused on getting more comfortable with taking things as

they come and not having all the answers. I learned that I don’t have to be an expert in everything in my role, I only need to be willing to be curious and to lean into the knowledge/expertise on my team and others at work. I found the coaching exercises helpful, especially because, at first, I wasn’t sure that I could get to a place where I would be comfortable with this new position. Now I am getting more comfortable each day. My manager has since asked if I wanted to be a manager and I was able to tell her, no, I am happy where I am. Working with Carleen made a difference, even when I didn’t think anything could.

Diane's Story

I worked with Carleen for 12 weeks to help me determine where I wanted to go next in my career. I had reached a point where I had about 5 years left before retirement, and I wanted them to count. I was looking for a senior leadership opportunity where I could make a difference to something bigger than the bottom line of a company.

Carleen helped me identify what would be meaningful to me in this phase of my career. Once I had

that voiced in a clear way, I was able to research potential organizations whose objectives aligned with what I wanted to contribute. I took my time and did not rush into anything; about 8 months later I started working for a non-profit whose purpose I feel strongly about supporting. My work is more meaningful, and I may even stay longer than the five years I had planned. Until I worked with Carleen, I didn’t know what I specifically wanted; coaching helped.

Do you like your story so far?

Coaching can help you change your story and reach better, healthier, more meaningful outcomes in your working life.

The Career Strategy Session is free.

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*Names have been changed to protect client confidentially & stories edited for length.