Why I coach

People often ask how, or why I became an entrepreneur, and a coach. It’s a thrilling and scary ride. But let me give a bit of context…

Twice in my life I’ve walked away from a lot of money. Money that would have allowed me to retire at a very young age and would have opened up endless possibilities for college options for my kids. Money that would have allowed us to be “that” kind of donor to the causes we support. Money that meant I’d never have to worry about money.

Twice I’ve walked away. NEVER have I regretted the choice.

There are two people who were instrumental in these decisions: Aretha Franklin and my financial advisor.
I spent my formative career years working my tail off in the technology world in the ‘90’s. Working until 1, 2, 3 or 4AM was the norm for me then – and then back at it by 7 or 8AM the next day. We didn’t have wifi or mobile devices, so my then boyfriend (now husband) and I would work our regular day, take a dinner break, then head back to the office for Round II. We weren’t alone. There were plenty of other young and ambitious employees working until well into the night.

I grew up with a strong work ethic. My Dad retired in his early 80’s – and only because his company finally told him it was time. From the time I was able to start earning money on my own, I understood and valued hard work.

Technology in the 90’s was booming, the rewards were booming too! Those of us who worked hard and were able to prove our value to the company were well rewarded. But that money came at a price. After years of running at that pace, I was done. Finished. My company was beyond gracious and offered me a number of potential next roles to entice me to stay. Roles that – three or four years earlier – I would have done anything to have: “THE” jobs. Positions that would give me scope, access, and visibility beyond what I’d ever imagined.

I knew that I’d contributed to the company. I’d given my all. I’d given, and given, and given. And I was done. I was ready to launch my own business. What I wasn’t ready for was my husband’s layoff as the technology industry plummeted. So I went back to the corporate world. This time on my terms.

As I interviewed, I led with my values. I wanted to be as sure that the company was right for me as I would be for the company. I was clear about what I could bring to the organization, and what I expected in return. I accepted a role, anticipating that I would stay for ~two years, learn what I could, and exit stage left.

I loved that job and stayed for five years. I loved my clients, and the company. I loved the never say die attitude and the scrappy underdog culture. I loved the pride people had in the company, and the innovative, entrepreneurial spirit. I loved that we could make things happen without oodles of bureaucracy. I was working with incredibly smart and ethical leaders.

And I loved the rewards. I’d learned at this point in my life – that (a) I’m pretty competitive and (b) I’m one of those people who sees money as a scorecard. And I was winning. And that felt great!

Until it didn’t.

Until leadership change after leadership change after leadership change eroded the culture that I believed in. Until it became harder, not easier, to get things done. Until I no longer felt that I was making a difference, that I was just checking a box. Until the leaders I most admired were exiting, one by one. Until one of those leaders, with tears in his eyes, asked me to “take care of the people he was leaving behind”.

It was then that I realized the equation was out of whack: I was far more invested in the company than the company was in me. The lowest point was a meeting with our financial advisor, who effectively told me that I shouldn’t leave. She used words like “foolish” and “financially irresponsible” when I told her I was ready to quit.

So I stayed. Sort of. We mapped out a plan with the very shortest path to my exit. It was relatively short-term (less than 18 months) but it felt like an eternity.

When I told my boss, and later the CEO, that I was leaving, the company asked me to stay.  As happened previously, I was offered THE job. (This time, I have to admit – I was very tempted…!) They put financial incentives in place that were beyond my wildest expectations. And, still, I knew I was done. I knew that if I stayed, it would be for the money. And even for someone as competitive as I am…that wouldn’t be a win.

I knew it was time. I knew I had more to offer. Differently. I knew I could lead and serve more powerfully than I was able to do inside the company.

And THAT’S when I launched my coaching practice.
-       My goal is to shorten the learning curve for others.
-       My goal is to help people live and work aligned with their values – to work from the inside out - which is so much more satisfying. Mind, heart, body and soul aligned is a powerful force!
-       My goal is to catch people well ahead of the burnout point and help them engineer a career and a life that’s rewarding and fulfilling.
-       My goal is that no one will have to experience what I felt that day we met with our financial planner: backed into a corner.
-       My goal is that my clients feel a strong and healthy balance between what they give (to a company, to a relationship) and what they get in return.
-       Most importantly, I want to bring back the joy.

The joy! After days of deliberation, and making the decision to leave, we had a two-day leadership meeting. I was ready to share my exit and succession plan at this meeting. One of the happiest memories of my entire working life is driving to work that morning, sunroof open, singing at the top of my lungs with the radio BLARING Aretha Franklin.

I knew I’d made the right decision. I knew I’d found my joy. And I work with clients to find theirs.