My Approach – Carol DeLaski

My Approach

My Coaching Philosophy

As an executive coach, I specialize in adult leadership development. I have been identifying and expanding the natural and unique talents of individuals, teams, and organizations for more than 16 years. I believe that each person leads best with a foundational knowledge of their core strengths and attributes. As such, I begin each coaching engagement with the CliftonStrengths assessment. This well-respected tool highlights the positive qualities of an individual while also identifying areas and opportunities for growth.

I believe that self-awareness is the key to leadership development. With increased consciousness, the individual sees more choices and clarifies the steps to create desired results. As such, I work with people who are ready to reflect and become more self-aware. Together we identify and celebrate what they do well while also setting intentional action steps to become even better at self-management and leadership. They are ready to learn, grow, and practice techniques to skillfully manage their unique talents as effectively as possible to bring about more of the positive results they desire.

When individuals clearly understand their own strengths, they are better contributors to the teams and organizations to which they belong. Teams that understand how the members complement one another are more effective, productive, and impactful.

Vision

I envision positively influencing the professional and personal development of people who are ready to develop their strengths and move forward to experience greater success and satisfaction in all areas of their lives.

Mission

To promote and support the strengths and talents of individuals so that they can be all that they desire to be.

The Process

Partnering together, we begin with the CliftonStrengths assessment report to jumpstart thoughtful conversations about your top talents. Like a strengths scientist, we create hypotheses, action steps, and follow through to expand your self-awareness. In each session we discuss what you’ve observed, draw conclusions, and set new action steps to continue your growth. We maintain an open, curious, mind and avoid limiting assumptions or labels.

As we work together, some specific areas we will focus on are:

Recognize when a particular strength is ‘too much of a good thing’.
Identify pairings and patterns where specific combinations of your top 10 strengths influence one another.
Explore how your top strengths impact the ways in which you communicate, make decisions, manage time, and relate to others.
Understand your leadership domains and learn your natural way of getting things done, whether through Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, or Strategic Thinking.

During the entire process, I walk alongside you as you acknowledge your God-given talents, appreciate your unique design, and evolve into more of who you are called to be. My wholistic approach incorporates the development of the whole person: body, heart, mind, and spirit. As a result, you experience greater self-confidence and overall well-being

See if we're a good fit for each other!

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Client Praise

My internal attitudes, self-talk and perspective have changed greatly resulting in more joy, gratitude and acceptance in my life. I’ve developed some truly meaningful relationships within the coaching group and outside of the group. The study of Energy Leadership has improved my communication skills. The study of Strength Finders has given me a greater appreciation for the unique set of gifts that we each have to offer. The One Word exercise has opened my heart to greater self-love and intimacy in all of my relationships. Carol cultivates a safe, nurturing environment to laugh or cry, share and grow. It’s the best gift I’ve ever given myself.

I attended my first workshop with Carol on the recommendation of a friend. I wanted to meet other businesswomen and to learn about the One Word to Change Your Life topic; I got so much more than I expected! Since attending these monthly workshops I feel more at ease and better able to handle the challenges of running my business and balancing my family life. I am less reactive and more empowered to choose how I want to respond to work or home challenges that come up daily. I share the insights I learn with my clients, friends, and family and enjoy seeing the positive impact ripple out to others. I highly recommend these valuable workshops for personal and professional development.

My college-aged son and I both experienced great insights from you via the Strengths coaching that have translated into positive new ways of being and acting, we've expanded Strengths in our family. Having everyone under one roof because of COVID gave us the opportunity to do this. Everyone took the Strengths assessment and we shared them with each other and chatted about them together as a family. Our "super powers" are now posted on our family fridge, too! And we have a new family language about strengths including ways to say when we think any of us may need to dial them up or down. It's reframed our frustrations, too, when we consider that what may be annoying us at a particular moment is typically someone's superpower at work. We also were surprised to see how many strengths we share and where we don't and the impact this has in our world together. We're not the same and this is good thing - especially since we have "kids" who are now 16, 21 and 23. My husband, David, has now taken Strengths three times over about a 15 year period, and it's amazing that his top 2 strengths never changed while his others have shifted around within his top 5/10. He's steady at Individualization and Achiever. Recently, David, who is retired, took a part-time job at Lowes and the kid's worried since it coincided with my comp being reduced because of COVID. The conversation to reassure them shifted positively when we reminded them that Achievers love to work hard and be productive. After that, they didn't need to hear any more - "Ok, that makes sense. We got it". So thank you for the insights and benefits you have now provided to our entire family. I'm very grateful and never expected my first exploratory call to you would transition to this wonderful place. I'm looking forward to more of the same with the Strengths and Money group. More good to come!