LEADERSHIP RETREATS

Understanding your story: Bruce goes out of his way to really invest in and understand your story. I believe that this is a crucial factor in building trust and having an honest and authentic conversation about yourself and your life. Over time, I have realized that people often have their own patterns. If you want to break those patterns, you need to make a very deliberate effort to do so and most likely you will not be able to on your own. Early on in our journey together, Bruce went out of his way to understand my story – my upbringing, education, and motivation. We also looked at the important relationships in my life. Bruce really went out of his way to listen and determine which events, experiences, or relationships have made you who you are today.

Understanding your own risk factors: Early on in our conversations, Bruce and I went through a few tests. I have a scientific, data-driven style of working and specific weaknesses also. Before this exercise, I had always seen some of those risks as “core strengths” but Bruce walked me through the impact that some of these variables can have on my teams and how I can behave in certain ways under pressure that I need to be cognizant about.

Helping assimilate to a new environment: I made a career move that required me to fit into a very different culture. For the first few months, working in a new role and organization, I was falling back into “my old ways” and that was causing me much anxiety and self-doubt. I wondered if I was “fitting in”, but, with Bruce’s coaching through the change, he helped me understand the behaviours that I needed to change and how to look at the world through a new lens. Once I started taking control of the situation, I understood how to utilize my core strengths and make adjustments to integrate them into the new work-culture.

Looking at the inter-relationship of our personal and professional self: I believe that many professionals actually try to make a strong distinction between your personal and professional personas; however, being human, there is a large intersection between our two selves. Bruce actually goes out of his way to understand the source of our quirks. After understanding the motivations behind them, he links them back to your professional self in a very thoughtful and articulate manner.

Answering the why: Bruce has spent many hours helping me discern my true motivations. Many times we do things because “it is what you are supposed to do.” With Bruce, his methodology really helps you understand your own principle drive for yourself. He’s peeling your layers like an onion: until you realize the core of why you want to do the things you do. Using my own case, I’ve developed several habits that I’ve labelled as the “socially acceptable.” Bruce actually helped me understand the driving force behind my thought process: he helped me understand why I don’t take big bets that I thought would have paid off. Unlocking this, once I knew the why, it really increased my drive to accomplish new things. I understood when I should take risks when I should move forward for the right reasons.

Putting theory into practice, but not having to do it alone: Sometimes when we want to change specific deeply-rooted behaviours, we are actually not aware that we are even doing it. Bruce helped me open up, to lean on others and trust people. In the team exercise, people pointed out when I was falling into my old ways of acting alone. These very simple reminders help you see what your default autopilot is like. I really like the approach that Bruce takes: going beyond a theoretical discussion, for a few hours, we actually create confidants around us. The whole group continuously guides you through the changes you are trying to make in your professional life.

Taking the time to reflect and grow: Currently, I’m taking a break to reflect and grow. Throughout our journey, I believe we hit the pedal to the metal every day. We hardly think about optimizing our own energy. We overlook the things that make us happy and are overly harsh on ourselves. I’m currently working with Bruce on techniques to really take a step back, breathe, and reflect. I think that growth affects all aspects of your life – emotional, spiritual, personal, and professional. As a coach, Bruce takes a holistic approach to wellness and well-being: he stresses that if you don’t feel good, positive, and secure at your very core, then it’s almost impossible to grow professionally.

Bruce has been such a fabulous guide, coach, and mentor. He really demonstrates care and kindness in a genuine and authentic manner. In a world where we put so much pressure on ourselves, it is important to understand the role that both the gas and brakes have in our life. Bruce has always put control and change back to us. He gives me more power to navigate through life. The feeling is truly empowering. I think Leadership coaching is suitable for everybody. We all need a professional to help us navigate through ourselves and the world around us. If you are thinking about it, I would recommend at least having an informal chat with Bruce. As he would say, “It is time to make yourself the hero of your own story”

Thank you for being there for me, listening, challenging, and supporting me along the way. as Now I realize I am able to be myself and most importantly rediscover myself. Now I can truly sing “I can see clearly now that the rain has gone”

There were so many difficult times as hard as it is to say that I have looked in the mirror and asked “who am I?”

I carried my pain on my shoulders even when I thought I had left it all behind. I filled myself to the brim with things that I thought were best for me, but really locked myself in my own prison. I pushed those I cared about away, and denied myself of the great simple joyful things in life. I struggled for so long between what others wanted from me and what I wanted for myself, “What will people think?”, “What will the neighbors say?”

I have taken a step towards changing and want to keep taking the steps to turn my life into a life truly worth living.

I have moved from frustrated, restricted, distant, and undeserving, and isolating to joyful, light hearted, caring, appreciative, loving, and curious. All what this was so much of the part of me but that I denied it for so long.

I feel I have become a more confident leader in business and life, a better friend, and a more loving mother.

Just last week I hung out with friends on the beach, and have begun my walks. Only when I dipped my feet in the water yesterday – after almost 2 years or maybe even more – I realized what I actually missed!

The change is within me…airs

Our analysis was holistic. I found myself reaching into parts of my life that I didn’t realise would drive or hold me back. I was always encouraged by Bruce’s gentle curiosity.

I didn’t expect to feel so consistently supported and cared for: and this really made a difference to me when exploring difficult issues. He gave me the courage to face challenges. I’m now on quite a different track professionally: one that feels much more consistent with my values and offers me more opportunities, to experience the things that are important to me. I know that I wouldn’t be here, with such confidence, without Bruce’s guidance.

Thank you very much for all your help and support. I’m grateful that you shared your compassion, humor, and deep expertise. I’m very happy for my experience of Bruce’s coaching to be shared with others.