How to Get Out of Your Own Way

Preface

Women, as the minority, have to prove their worth all the time. We tend to over-prepare, over-study, over anticipate, we tend to overdo it.

Christine Lagarde

When my clients ask me, "Is it really possible to change?" I always tell them the same thing: "If I can, you can; there is nothing extraordinary about me." And still, to this very day, I am continuously amazed and deeply touched by the ways in which people make profound transformational changes that impact their lives and the lives of others. They often thank me, and I remind them that it is they who shaped this change, not me. I am only here to ask questions and to enable them to become the leaders of their own lives. Indeed, the world out there is our projection, and we perceive the world how we would like to see it. It is only when I started asking myself questions that my own transformation started to happen, because if we want to really find our truth, we have to examine ourselves first. And what I know for certain is that once you become the master of your own self, no one and no circumstance can reduce you. It is your responsibility to assume accountability.

I see coaching as a profession that helps individuals and groups improve their performance on an emotional level. Our role as coaches is to help our clients work through issues that may inhibit them from being successful. Coaching is not merely positive thinking. Many sessions include examining personal information that clients have. The idea is for the client to realize his or her own solutions, strategies, and schemes. Good coaches build relationships swiftly. This involves the exceptional ability to understand people’s needs, strengths, and weaknesses.

I am transparent with my clients. I am compassionate and challenging. I do not allow people to change my opinion of someone or a situation. I always remain objective and hold the mirror up to my client with the intention of further growth. I believe this is what makes me trustworthy and why my clients believe in me. In my humble opinion, trust is a key to coaching. Coaching can help identify what the client really wants out of her professional life, helps her appreciate the skills and experience he has amassed, and helps her identify opportunities and a network of contacts.

I am passionate about coaching and have always loved supporting people. Coaching was a very natural career choice. It was like following my personal destiny. I set up Walk the Talk with the intention of ensuring that people feel fully heard and seen. I aim to help people get out of their own way, to help them obtain a winning mindset. Winning can mean different things to different people. Therefore, my role is to be a supporter and a guide. I work with clients on topics like diversity management, effective collaboration, inclusion, leadership, and emotional intelligence (their EQ). I serve both private and government organizations and executive institutions, locally, globally, and remotely.

In today's world, both on a personal and professional level, we are certainly facing intense pressure like never before. There are so many challenges and constant changes in life that require us to be equipped to adjust and adapt, both incessantly and instantaneously. And this book is not meant to provide quick fix; I don't believe in quick fixes, as they rarely work in the long term. Rather, I would like you to use How to Get Out of Your Own Way as a guide, a manual for you to dip into and out of when and if you should need to. You will choose when you need it, and you will determine your progress. You will decide how much effort you will invest and how serious you are about your purpose. We are all unique, so you will need to shape my recommendations to work for you.

This book offers an opportunity for you to dig deeper, to be curious about yourself and others. It is simply a road map to help you along your way in your life and all that it brings, including the anxiety that surrounds personal change and growth. What I can tell you is that you cannot be there for other people unless you are there for yourself, and the paradox of knowing yourself is that you understand others better. Consequently, the biggest success for me will be if this book provides you with a space to self-reflect and explore and if, as a consequence, this deeper appreciation of yourself has a ripple effect on those around you and beyond.