What is coaching?

The ICF defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”

Unlike consulting, where I offer advice and recommendations, coaching focuses on empowering you to discover and utilize your own wisdom, talents, and resources. I help you clarify your priorities and create actionable plans to achieve your goals.

Coaching is a transformative approach to unlocking your potential and achieving a wide range of goals, both personal and professional. It can be particularly valuable when you:

• Face a challenging decision.

• Navigate a complex interpersonal relationship.

• Lead through organizational change.

• Need to define clear goals.

• Feel stuck and seek new perspectives.

• Desire to create an inspiring vision for yourself and your team.

Who do I coach?

Consistent with our vision and mission, I coach leaders who aspire to build inclusive, high-performing organizations that unlock their full potential by cultivating healthy cultures and empowering diverse talent. I have particular interest and expertise in coaching leaders who:

• Are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, regardless of their formal role.

• Hold minoritized and marginalized identities and seek to thrive in their leadership.

This focus is rooted in my own experience. Throughout my 23-year career in higher education, I consistently championed DEI initiatives, even without a formal DEI title. As a queer leader of color, I understand the challenges of navigating systems not designed for you. Coaching played a crucial role in my success, and I am honored to provide that support to others.

What might coaching look like?

We'll begin by collaboratively creating a personalized coaching agenda. Imagine it as a Japanese restaurant menu (as a Japanese American and a foodie, I can’t resist this metaphor), with your goals as the main dishes and room for "daily specials" that emerge during our sessions. Each session is like a bento box, with a focused topic and space for exploration. We'll delve into the significance of the issue, your desired outcomes, and concrete next steps. My role is to listen deeply, ask powerful questions, and provide relevant feedback, information, resources, and activities.

For new clients, I recommend a minimum of six bi-weekly, one-hour sessions. This allows ample time for acclimation, reflection, and progress.

If you are interested in a self-assessment or 360 assessment to promote increased self-awareness, we can discuss whether to include a Cultural Intelligence (CQ) assessment as part of your coaching agenda.

What about team or group coaching?

In addition to individual coaching, I offer team and group coaching. Group coaching is ideal for cohorts with shared development goals, even from different organizations. Team coaching supports leadership teams in addressing organizational needs, such as vision development and strategic planning.

What about structured coaching programs?

In partnership with fellow coaches, I offer two thoughtfully structured programs including rich asynchronous content and both 1:1 and group coaching, Evolve Your Leadership Voice and Chrysalis.

How do you get started?

To explore coaching, please complete our contact form. I'll schedule a complimentary 30-minute Zoom discovery meeting to discuss your goals and determine if we're a good fit. This meeting also helps me tailor your coaching sessions to your unique needs, interests, and goals.