✨ Coach Spotlight: Louise

Louise is a Productivity Coach based in Johannesburg, South Africa. For the past 23 years, she has worked in sales, marketing, customer service, management and leadership roles.

What motivated you to become a coach?

I was fortunate enough to be introduced to a Business Coach and Mentor more than ten years ago, and have relied on both his listening skills (as a coach) and his advisory skills (as a mentor) to navigate the many challenges that running a business presents me with. I’ve been on a personal growth journey since then, and am continuously surprised (and relieved!) to find most of the answers that I am looking for, within. I’m motivated to help others to discover this too – it’s a very empowering and affirming experience.

What was one of your biggest learnings while training to become a coach?

My biggest key learning was that I don’t have to have the answers for my clients, but rather focus on supplying a supportive and nurturing environment, for them to uncover and discover their own solutions.

What do you typically talk about with a prospective client during a free discovery session?

First I spend a few minutes talking about my background, qualifications and experience. Then I spend some time on covering what coaching actually is – what the client can expect from me, and what I expect from them. Finally, I ask the client to clarify what they are hoping to achieve through our interaction and answer any questions that they may have.

Tell us about one of your most impactful coaching client engagements with CoffeeChat.

One of my most rewarding engagements so far involved helping a client begin, by degrees, to immerse herself in an area of interest. She went from standing still (at the edge) to identifying, and then actually actioning, the steps that took her into the “water”. Each time I interact with her she has taken more self-identified steps, and covered more ground…or more water!

What has surprised you about working with clients across several different countries?

I’m often amazed that management, career, and productivity challenges transcend borders. Whilst the business landscapes are different, the challenges, and the solutions, are very similar. We all have a tendency to focus more on our weaknesses, rather than utilize our strengths; and I find that if you redirect your energy to where you are strong, good things start to happen – no matter what country you live in!