It was 22 years ago when I was first drawn to an exciting new field that was gaining momentum in the USA. This was 1:1 executive coaching. It took a further two years to pluck up the courage to step away from my demanding global executive role. I had been travelling internationally for 50% of my time and my personal life and wellbeing was out of kilter and neglected. Having researched this new area, I decided to take a career break and train as an executive coach. I gave myself one year to learn as much as I could about executive coaching and particularly in applying it to leadership and organisational cultures, both areas that had always fascinated me. My main purpose then was to become a Master Coach.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the courses, conferences and learning I undertook, the people that I met – many equally passionate about coaching, leadership and organisations. Coaching was establishing itself as a profession and I attended the inaugural coaching conference in Melbourne run by the Australian PsychologicaI Society (APS) and facilitated by the late Tony Grant, Michael Cavanagh and other equally enthusiastic new coaches. I will never forget the energy of those early conferences. Sydney University was establishing their Masters in Coaching Psychology and the APS started a coaching Interest group of which I was an active early member.
I had some fortunate introductions around the same time – to a few great clients - as well as to Melbourne Business School (then Mt Eliza Executive Education) who invited me to join a team of their leadership faculty members with the aim of establishing a coaching practice to support their highly reputable leadership programs. This coaching practice grew quickly and I too thrived with a variety of clients and experiences over the next few years.
Peoplemax also grew rapidly during that time and I stepped away from the Melbourne Business School to focus fully on Peoplemax and our clients. When I reflect back so much has changed in 20 years.
Executive coaching was largely unknown and I spent considerable time educating clients on the benefits and reassuring them about confidentiality before they would engage. I often persuaded them to simply “give it a go” as I knew once they experienced executive coaching they would not look back. And this was certainly the case. I could share many amusing stories about executive clients embarking on their first coaching experience and some of these remain in touch today.
The business grew quickly and we engaged handpicked executive coaches nationally who shared my values and passion for helping leaders maximise their potential and flourish in their careers. Many of these coaches are still with Peoplemax today.
The community of practice we have built and the relationships fostered have been highly rewarding.
Similarly, whilst we have steadily added a number of new clients over the years and continue to do so, many of our clients have been with us for over 10 years too. We now have deep relationships with them and enjoy supporting them through changes and celebrating their successes with them.
It has indeed been a wonderful 20 year journey. I am pleased that I took that leap of faith all those years ago and have been rewarded by far more than my original purpose (to become a master coach). I have never stopped learning and adapting as the world of coaching has changed and come of age. Today coaching is seen as essential for success in organisations and is offered to talented individuals, leaders and executives at all stages of their careers. I liken this to the world of sports where everyone has a coach if they want to be successful. Similarly, in organisations, small and large businesses and individuals at all levels who may be at a career crossroad, need coaching to help them navigate changes, be successful and flourish in life.
Sincere and grateful thanks to all those who have touched my life and contributed to the rich tapestry which is today’s Peoplemax Story. We look forward to serving our clients and leaders of the future for the next 20 years and beyond.
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