I hopped out of a cab in downtown Toronto a few weeks ago with one of my dear friends and co-workers from the Maritimes with, admittedly, a knot of anxiety in my stomach. We were taking part in an intensive 3-day executive coaching program with colleagues we’d never met, the very week of a massive company reorganization. I’m sure many who stepped into the elevator with us were asking the same questions: How honest are people going to be? Should we keep our cards close to our chest and simply focus on performance metrics and coaching junior staff? Or are we actually going to have to put ourselves out there to make this thing tangible and impactful? After all, the company had taken us out of our roles for three days at an insanely busy time to train with some of Canada’s top executive coaches. Clearly, this course was important.

So as a self-professed and unapologetic Oprah junkie, I should have known better. Of COURSE vulnerability was the only way this was going to have any value at all. I spent years watching life coaches working with Oprah’s guests and fell in love with one of her finest, Iyanla Vanzant. Vanzant is a no-nonsense, authentic and pattern-busting goddess whose show “Iyanla: Fix My Life” has met rave reviews. But beyond the TV-interesting challenges her families face – which often leaves me asking “how in the world is she going to help these people?” – it’s her techniques that always keep me coming back for more. Vanzant is creative, yet her approach is simple: get people to stop telling themselves the same stories about their lives, help them break through, create action items and be accountable. And at the heart of it all … is vulnerability.

And so it was to be the order of the day for our 3-day session. And little did I know that executive coaching goes beyond the “how will I improve my numbers” and “my employee lacks professionalism” issues. It was the deep stuff that many keep inside and behind the workplace mask, often only shared with loved ones and behind closed doors that we worked on. And it was clear that regardless of our specific role in a company, there are patterns and stories that keep popping up that we can’t seem to get out of our heads and our own way.

Essential Impact set the standards within the first half hour of Day 1. Confidentiality. Privacy. Safe space. Supportive. Fun. Honest. And every one of us rose to the standards and left feeling empowered. Perhaps my biggest takeaway was the fact that anything taking up space in your mind (whether you deem it to be big or small) and that you can’t seem to resolve IS a big deal. And you are likely spinning in circles with a story that has been created about how or why you can’t find closure. Humans love their excuses but with the coaching tools we learned, it’s clear every situation can be turned on its head and action is possible.

For someone like me who leans towards being an unpaid therapist for people, it took everything in my being to not interrupt and offer advice, but at the end of the day, I was well on my way to being something more important to me … a coach. Someone who is in the person’s corner but helping them trust that inner wisdom to find their own answers and to compassionately support their A-ha moments. I have already experienced positive impacts from the tools we learned and moved through internal and external challenges quicker than normal. I think Iyanla would be proud.

Heather Robinson
Senior Manager, Public Affairs, and Communications
Rogers Communication.