Leadership and Executive Development for women of all races, cultures and backgrounds
Issue link: https://diversitywoman.epubxp.com/i/876458
d i v e r s i t y w o m a n . c o m Fa l l 2 0 1 7 D I V E R S I T Y W O M A N 33 Enter her life coach, Dee Marshall, a cer- tified life and leadership coach in New Jer- sey. "I've known Dee for about 10 years," says Harris. "She is authentic, empower- ing, and inspirational She is the perfect ex- ample of someone who not only dreamed of wanting to empower thousands of women around the world as a certified coaching professional, but manifested her dream." As a result of working with a life coach, having weekly calls, Harris start- ed meditating and prioritizing her time to gain clarity in her life. "A life coach focuses on how personal development fuels professional growth, whereas an executive coach focuses more on your profession, your leadership," says Sheri Riley, a life strategist and author of Exponential Living: Stop Spending 100% of Your Time on 10% of Who You Are. e International Coach Federation (ICF), the world's largest organization of professionally trained coaches, defines coaching as "partnering with clients in a thought- provoking and creative process that in- spires them to maximize their personal and professional potential." Life coaches are required to complete a certified life coach training program, which is avail- able through organizations such as the ICF. Prospective coaches can expect to complete 100 to 2,500 hours of coach- ing, depending on the level of certifica- tion sought. Life coaching is not therapy or coun- seling; it's a forward-looking approach to achieving positive results in your life. Yet, most leaders don't have a life coach. Our experts say they resist change, they're afraid, or they think it's not worth the in- vestment. Whether you're a C-suite execu- tive ready to take on more responsibility or a high-level achiever feeling stuck, here are seven reasons why using a life coach can be priceless. THINKSTOCKPHOTOS By Tanisha A. Sykes T he Dalai Lama once said, "Hap- piness is not something ready- made. It comes from your own actions." For executives like Niambi Har- ris, 45, truer words were never spoken. "In the span of a year, I got married, inherited A Coach in Your Corner: Crafting Your Dream Life Accelerate We Mean Business > Why using a life coach can be life—and work— altering two wonderful teenage stepchildren, and became pregnant," says Harris, director of quality assurance for Daiichi Sankyo, a global pharmaceutical company in Bask- ing Ridge, New Jersey. Harris loved her new life, but transition- ing into marriage, motherhood, and man- aging a high-profile career was just a bit . . . chaotic, she says. In addition, she was still financially reeling after losing several real estate properties during the 2008 Great Recession. She needed help, and fast.