Why I'm Grateful to be a Coach

“I can't do this till I'm 65!”

It was a hot summer afternoon in 2016 and as Director of Public Affairs, I had another communications crisis to manage. I get energy from people. To get into strategy mode, I would often take a short walk and interact with people for a few minutes before going back to my desk to create the plan.

That day, I walked to the front desk and chatted with Bev, the admin support. I blurted out, quite unemotionally actually but with a sense of resignation, “I can’t do this until I’m 65. Heck, I can’t do it until I’m 60.” It was the first sign to my soul that something else would have to feed it.

MY DISCOVERY OF COACHING

Not long afterward I quite fortuitously became acquainted with coaching. A quick call to a LinkedIn contact who was listed as a coach was all I needed. That very week, I enrolled in a coaching school while continuing to work full-time. At the very least, it would enhance my abilities as a leader, and at best, I hoped it would be an enjoyable post-retirement hobby.

The more exposure I got to coaching and the ability to facilitate learning and growth in others, the more passionate I became.

“IT’S TOUGH TO MAKE IT AS A COACH”

There were naysayers in the beginning, not coming from a place of malice but more cautionary:

“No one ever makes a living as a coach.” “It’s impossible to get clients.” “Most coaches give up.” Perhaps I needed to moderate my enthusiasm…but I didn’t.

COACHING THROUGH BURNOUT

In 2018, while recovering from burnout from my Public Affairs Director role at Horizon, I regained some energy by being given the opportunity to coach some staff there. This was thanks mainly to the kind and talented CHRO at the time, Maura McKinnon . Able to see both the energy it gave me and the benefits to the coachees, she created a permanent position for me in HR where coaching would be an official part of my role.

ACC AND PCC

Shortly after finishing my courses, I also questioned whether I’d just invested in an expensive hobby. Two years later, in 2018, after 100 hours of coaching experience, I earned my Associate Coaching Certification (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation . The 400 additional hours, more training, hiring mentor coaches to reach the Professional Certification (PCC) seemed equally daunting. Despite that, I persevered and in 2021, earned the designation of PCC.

MCC

The next plateau required the most stamina. Of just under 60,000 ICF coaches in the world, fewer than four percent (4%) attain the level of Master Certified Coach (MCC). 2,500 hours, another 75 hours of training, studying for a gruelling exam. It didn’t seem like an attainable goal for me in this lifetime.

Yet, after nearly 2,800 hours, thousands of coaching sessions with over 800 clients and 200 hours of training, I attained MCC on October 25, my late mother’s birthday. To the best of my knowledge, I am the only MCC in New Brunswick and one of only 6 in Atlantic Canada.

MUCH GRATITUDE…

None of this would have been possible were it not for the tremendous support of my patient and loving wife, Mary-Jo, who always gives me space to pursue my passions.

…TO MY FELLOW COACHES

In the coaching world, I’ve met a ton of coaches, mentors, instructors, many of whom have become friends on this journey.

I would first like to recognize Jamie Slingerland MCC in Franklin, Tennessee. He, along with Mark Ross, MBA, CPLC, ACC from Houston, was in my triad in coaching school back in 2016. Jamie is a passionate and enthusiastic guy who is an expert connector.

He initiated a study support group in late 2023 as we pursued our MCC. Paula Braga, MCC (ICF) from Brazil is part of that group, who recently attained her MCC and is an incredible coach and has become a great friend.? As well, Silvia Imperadori from Italy who is on the cusp of achieving MCC certification. And thanks for the study tips from teacher Ruthie Perez Slingerland, PCC

This group was part of a larger group of BetterUp coaches pursuing their MCC. We met every second Friday for months to learn, grow and encourage one another. Thanks to Anush Gagua for her enthusiasm and leadership in initiating the group and the amazing contributions from group members Edward Vicedo, CPC, PCC , Silvia Imperadori , Santoshi Goyal , Paula Braga, MCC (ICF) , Jamie Slingerland MCC and Ruth Alexandor .

…TO MY MENTORS

As well, Jennifer Powers, MA, MCC Mentor Coach , for the Mentoring and leading the Level 3 program in 2023. What a great group of coaches I was teamed with. Love you guys! Christy Stuber, LCSW, PCC , Deni Anderson , Sajili Mohan Chawla , Jill Garaffa , Maria Wade , Gregory O'Neill, MCC, ELI-MP and Neil Edwards .

Hannah Finrow, MCC , for the mentor coaching as I approached the finish line. Your insights were such an inspiration!

Also, some instructors and mentors of the early days who stand out. Among them are Cheryl Scanlan, MCC , Kim Avery, MA, PCC , Michael Pfau, PCC and the late Dr. Michael Marx.

…TO MY CLIENTS

And of course the hundreds of clients from all over the world I’ve had the pleasure of working with. So many deep connections I’ve made with wonderful people I would never have met were it not for coaching. You know who you are—thank you!

REFLECTIONS

I’m grateful to be able to look back at the interesting thread of communications woven throughout my career. From a 10-year career in radio broadcasting that started in high school, to dabbling in standup, taking improv acting course at Second City in Toronto, doing some movie extra work there, learning French, working in communications for nearly 30 years, doing studio voiceover work on the side for decades, earning a degree in Ministry and doing some preaching, conducting funerals, weddings and baptisms, volunteering as a hospital duty chaplain for 15 years and writing blog articles. Most of these professions and activities were the presenting of my voice to the listener.

THE POWER OF COACHING

Coaching is communication, too. It’s about actively listening and genuinely caring to enable clients gain awareness.

That’s where God has brought me thus far in my career, not to mention the way he has blessed my life with three smart, talented and witty children and their equally smart, talented and witty spouses. And of course, sweet Myla, my first grandchild who entered the world in March of this year.

GOLDEN HANDCUFFS UNLOCKED

Thanks to coaching, I didn’t need “to do this till I’m 65 or even 60.” Three years ago this month, at 58, I unlocked the golden handcuffs, retiring to transition to coaching full time. I couldn’t be more pleased.

SPECIAL OFFER

Thanks again for your support and for taking the time to read this to the end. As a way to thank you, I’ve created a new specialty as part of my coaching offers. Need help preparing for an important presentation, practising for job interviews or getting ready for a difficult or high-stakes conversation?

To celebrate my new designation, I’m offering 30-minute Communication Effectiveness sessions at 40% off until the end of 2024. Use coupon code MCC2024. Often, one session is all you need! Learn more here.