Believe in people's potential

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high, and we miss it, but that it is too low, and we reach it." (Michelangelo Buonarroti) This is my motto that guided me since forever. by Mihaela Feodorof

2018-06-21 16:26:57

We have a huge potential and we can develop it ad infinitum. As an executive coach, it gives me an enormous joy to see my clients using their full potential and the way they reflect on the process of using their entire resource package in achieving the set goals. I always feel confident and trust my clients' potential. I reflect upon their perceptions, while always keeping the "full side of the glass" in mind. I believe that any situation, not problem, has a solution, and that it only depends on us to translate it to reality.

As a follower and practitioner of Sir John Whitmore School, Performance Consultants, I believe people are capable of changing only those things they are aware of. Every client must be responsible for what he/she does, and every coaching session is a step forward in this direction. All the clues are there – in work, education, health and all the other sectors of our lives and the coach helps you, through specific methods and questions, find the answer, the right solution for your situation. During the development processes related to each person I work with, I want to remain objective and aware of the importance of individual differences without issuing judgments or offering solutions. I believe in the ability of each and every one of us, to identify new perspectives favourable to the various contexts in which they are, which are indeed the best solutions for those who are looking for them.

As an executive coach, I believe learning is a constant process and it should be a base value for every trainee too. The self-development process is a long-life journey. The more you learn and know, the more you become aware of how much you should learn. The values attached to the continuous learning process are related to the desire to be knowledgeable and appropriate to new and varied contexts in which your area of interest is relevant. Another important value is one's willingness to be open to learning, and it can be found in the will of listening to other opinions, sometimes even very different from their own. Accepting other people's points of view can always add value to the person who wants to develop skills in his or her professional field.

I've always been attracted by people, I've been curious and interested in the human nature. That's why in relation to people I want to understand what's there to find in a person′s "basement". Based on my coach experience, being a good listener is a quality every coach should have and develop, because it generates a trusting space for those who want to share their needs, interests, situations and solutions. The willingness to accept mistakes by seeing them as behavioural differences generated by individual personality is another important aspect for me. Another strong point is the need to measure results and the satisfaction of progress, which is also one of the arguments that I have taken into consideration when choosing coaching as a working method. And another skill that is of great help to me is the ease of putting me in the shoes of the interlocutor, the high level of empathy.

I have always been trusted with those who have looked for a new professional and personal sense and I supported them all the way. I'd like to tell a story of a person who started the process, from the professional side of things, and later translated the transformation into her life. I remember that her progress was not so relevant at first, but after a couple of sessions and months working together she ended all dysfunctional relationships and has restored her life altogether (a new career path, a new house and a new relationship). Another memory is about one younger high potential manager who wanted (and the company supported her development process) to see and keep the balance between professional and personal life. She has made important steps in her career through executive coaching process, but the most important achievement was receiving the offer to be the regional sales director for a multinational enterprise, while being on the plane, coming home from a vacation in Dubai. This balance between personal and professional life had brought her to an old friend. Over time, there had been some informal meetings with decision-makers in companies, and its potential was appreciated beyond the strictly professional context.

These are the most beautiful professional rewards a coach can get!

As long as you believe in your client's potential and "hold his hand" all the way to the final goal, his/her chance to succeed is very high. It is my wish to help them re-establish their self-respect and accept the fact that we are not perfect, and it is natural to make mistakes when we try something new, as long as we are learning something from these experiences.