Client Comments

The first thing to realise is that coaching isn't "a process". There was no sign of a sausage machine approach to any of the sessions. While the discussion might start off in one direction, Sandee has an absolute skill at making sure we would end up talking about the things that actually matter and, more importantly, could make a difference to how to approach a situation, how to manage a problem, how to make an outcome achievable. I feel I have some additional skills to deal with the myriad of issues that arise in the workplace and outside the workplace - in life.

There are a number of situations where I've reflected on the coaching sessions and believe that a change in my approach has actually yielded the benefits I was seeking - at work and in my volunteer life.

This is probably the best part - while my desk is still a mess and the ironing is still not done, these are not things that cause me any concern at all. One of my goals was to make sure that I make more time for the important things - and most of those things are in fact people. So the desk and the ironing can wait, within reason, but spending time with people can't. That said, my desire to achieve as close as possible to perfection in my professional and personal goals hasn't waned at all - but there are different ways of achieving an end, and I'm currently on a much more comfortable path.

Sandee - I would be lying to say it wasn't a bit of hard work. But it was valuable work and enjoyable work. I hope that at some time we might be granted the opportunity to work together again. THANK YOU!

Carol Shannon
Director Corporate & Commercial Development
Perth Zoo, August 2007

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I was apprehensive about what coaching could give me and I was under a lot of pressure due to problems with the new site.

I feel very good now because I've achieved a lot in a short time and about to progress in the organisation. I'm quite happy with the coaching and would recommend it to others.

I have created "my time" and have pushed work onto others rather than just doing it. I have a better understanding of subconscious things I have been doing ie creating my own awareness. I have a better approach to communication and have been pushed to challenge myself and I'm also developing some "light and shade" which will help me improve my management and interpersonal skills.

I achieved my goals in a shorter period of time than I thought and I thank you for the time and effort in challenging my easy going attitude.

There were definitely some challenging moments but your ability to make me talk and express myself was in the end an enjoyable experience. You did play an important part in me realising what I wanted and helping me realise how to get there. Thank You.

Gary Day
Customer Service Manager - WA
BlueScope Steel, September 2007

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I was quite cynical about coaching prior to starting. I guess not just about the process but in terms of having someone who appeared so extremely positive and bubbly as a coach:!!! I don't know why I thought this would be a problem and realised after the first 5 minutes that this was actually a good thing!!

It didn't take long to change my opinion of the whole process and actually feed off Sandee's attitude. I feel stronger and more confident in myself and actually feel like I have embraced some of her personal traits myself. I was able to realize what effect they had on me and see the benefit in perhaps being a little more like that around my staff

Sandee was very quickly able to determine my strengths and weaknesses and understand me even when I perhaps couldn't articulate my thoughts. I have been able to get some verification on these things and focus my energies on really improving. I think actually making real and deliberate efforts to improve aspects of how I manage staff has made so much more of an impact that just talking about it and this has clearly been the difference between training and coaching.

I feel like I have made considerable progress, even just with subtle changes. I am consciously aware of my behaviour and have already noticed a difference in the response of staff. I feel like this has transcended to other areas of my management simply through improving my self awareness and confidence.

I feel like I really gained maximum benefit from my sessions as these came along at a particularly busy and challenging time. I hope that I can involve some of my other staff in something similar as I would like to see them enjoy the same experience. Thanks Sandee, was a pleasure talking with you and I think I have grown as a manager and a person

Clare Campbell
Acting Curator Exotics
Perth Zoo, July 2007

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Client Comments: 360 Integral Dev Profile 90 minute coaching sessions

I have attended numerous professional development sessions and, apart from one other, there has not been any that have had such a profound impact on my life. Sandee is to be highly commended for her style and results.

Greg Ellson
Director Organisational Performance
August 2007

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I guess you hear this often, but I was reserved (read: skeptical) about the benefits of this process; now, having gone through it, it has provided a valuable insight and, more importantly, an action plan, to work on the personal strengths and weaknesses I sorta knew were there, but had no understanding or particular interest in doing anything about. I was also very impressed with the skills of my Coach. In similar situations I usually quietly manipulate the interviewer to do most of the talking while I sagely nod and agree; Sandee, however, saw straight through the childish ploy and was not drawn into the game. She picked up on incidental comments which hinted at deeper beliefs and made me squarely face issues I would never have otherwise addressed

Ross le Cras
Manager Marketing
Churches of Christ, July 2007

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Sandee has an amazing ability to get to the heart of problems and explain them clearly. I came out of the session feeling very refreshed.

David Gilroy
Manager, Collections Facilities and Compliance,
Dept of Culture & The Arts, August 2007

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Sandee was very good. The session was conducted in an informal manner but was still very professional. She gave me some good tips to consider.

Bruce Macfarlane
Director, Small Business Services
Small Business Dev Corp, April 2007

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This was a water shed moment for me; I've been involved in a number of 360 degree assessments and found this one really probed and challenged me. The questions appeared innocuous but in fact very succinctly got to the point. They revealed a couple of areas, particularly involving people more with what I am and what I stand for personally in addition to my professional role with them. My ratings reflect the fact that I never rate anything as excellent with the exception of my Wife and Mother and perhaps people walking on water. However, Sandee quite frankly was energising and her capacity to make me think about me was clever if not outstanding. She reinforced what I've known for years and had allowed to be overcome by frustration/s. "Never doubt yourself or that it can be done" Thanks...

Russell Williams
WA Police, August 2007

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In general - The coaching session enabled me to actively explore new ideas and effective ways to work on two areas of practice as a manager/leader. What I found particularly useful was that I left the session with a number of very practical options for working differently. Consequently, I was quickly able to use the ideas generated in the session and translate these to work place solutions. I would like to add that Sandee is a very skilled coach and I appreciated her capacity to work creatively with me. Sandee's particular skill is working with the strengths of the individual and maximising this potential in a very practical way.

Department of Health Employee, June 2007

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It was very helpful to take time out from the office to evaluate my leadership and management style and discuss strategies with an expert! The most helpful aspect was the realisation that if I am to care for and lead others I must first care for myself. Also to recognise the importance of taking time to look back and evaluate and recognise the successes that we have made as a management group, regroup and go forward. Thank you

Linda Davies
(SCGH) Manager, Patient Support Services
Department of Health, June 2007

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Thanks for all your help and understanding Sandee. I felt I could trust you and be open and honest. I respect your opinions and help with formulating my goals. All your help and feedback made me more 'appreciative' of myself... It is good to talk to somebody confidentially and you know it won't come back and haunt you. Thanks again.

Mariet Hefer
Senior Orthopaedic Physio
Fremantle Hospital, September 2007

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I found the coaching session very helpful. The coach was great to work with, a good listener and ensured that there were specific outcomes for me.

Ron de Blank
Principal Policy Officer
Landgate, June 2006

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The session with Sandee helped crystalise a few things that I had been only generally aware of and also helped provide a few ways forward with some areas for improvement. Although I didn't know what to expect of the session prior to it, I found it very useful and beneficial. From my point of view, it was 90 minutes very well spent.

Damien Hassan
Senior Archivist, State Records Office,
Dept of Culture & The Arts, August 2007

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Further Comments from Clients about Coaching

Initially, I felt unsure, perhaps a little apprehensive but willing to embark on a journey.

On a personal level I have paid due attention to “self care” and “family needs”. I have reflected on the “Hallmarks” of successful leadership and the need to establish solid “Personal Foundations”. I have enjoyed being offered an alternative view to daunting situations, which I had never contemplated. One such example was my “concern” associated with the instability of the environment, which my design team is subject to. My concern was relaxed when it was stated that often, it is “Instability that creates stability”.

I have gained more understanding of my strengths and weakness ie more “self awareness”, and I have an increased level of strategic thinking - managing up, deepening political understanding, identifying and working with a mentor which has given me confidence and a glimpse of my potential.

Nikolai Mehanikov
Design Engineering Manager
Alcoa Hatch Engineering Alliance

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When I started the coaching process I was feeling blurred and cluttered but knew that I was ready for coaching, and ready to make some changes. I felt I had a lot of unnecessary distraction and my work and personal time was filled with too many unimportant elements which took up time and energy for little reward.

During the coaching, I felt like I had a bit of a plan going forward and a few tools to assist in getting there. I started to get some clarity, improved self-confidence, and cleared out some things that were not important to me, and brought closer the things that were.

I am now more organised, more self confident, I've identified clearer goals, am more in touch with key values, feel like I'm taking things less seriously than before, and spending more time doing the things that I enjoy. I feel more relaxed and more confident in progressing other opportunities.

Luke Myles
Logistics Manager
BlueScope Steel

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"I am currently working as a Programme Manager, in charge of managing the entire portfolio (worth Euro 170 million) of development cooperation, mostly in rural development, health, capacity building and NGO projects. When I started the coaching process with Sandee, I was experiencing my work - very much in reaction mode - as painfully overwhelming, very hard to cope with and highly stressful, whereas I now know that I am on top of important things, confident, handling what matters most and undaunted by the continuous challenges I am facing.

Sandee's simple yet deep principles of "responsibility", "the art of timely non-action", "relaxed focus" and "wisdom in action" have proven invaluable to me. In the meanwhile I have received two salary raises, a new and great office for myself, and the trust of my peers as the authority in my domain. It has consistently been nothing less than a wonderful, rewarding and profoundly life-changing experience."

Christophe Horváth
Programme Adviser Timor-Leste Development Cooperation Section Delegation of the European Commission to Indonesia, Brunei & East Timor

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"I have been in the fast paced advertising Industry for the last 13 years at high level management positions (billings of 2003 were around 4 million US$ with about 90 staff - some of our clients are multinational like Nokia, HSBC bank, Daihatsu cars, Roche pharmaceuticals). I live an expatriate life and am married with 3 young children.

Coaching with Sandee, put me back on track, the track that I want my life to follow. A direction I get so enthusiastic about that energy flows naturally. I have experienced tremendous growth by finding what it is that gives me this energy to do what I really want to do and be the person that deep down I want to be. I would recommend Sandee's Coaching to anybody, whether you are at a turning point in your life, or just "rusted' in the way you're doing things and need some inspiration. It is a great co-partnership process to go through that leaves you a more complete, more balanced, more fulfilled person. Sandee by nature has a very warm, positive personality and her experience in the corporate world, makes it very easy for her to relate to both work/business and personal issues."

Sabine Joukes
Managing Director Bates Advertising (Staff of 90)

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"This is to let you know that next week I go again to Sydney. This time to finalise my Graduation with the Parent as Coach Academy. This is the culmination of your coaching me for my shift to a new career. Thank you!!!!!"

Patricia Ann Whiting
Parent Coach

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"When I started coaching sessions with you in November, I wasn't even sure why I initially came for coaching - the questions in your Welcome Pack helped me 'put my finger' on certain things, I realized I wanted to regain my old confidence, to be really happy with my life, to build up my business and my peoples' businesses and to bring full enjoyment to those I love.

I must confess that I wasn't at all confident that anyone would be able to understand the inner changes I was seeking, so I was amazed at what was happening with each of our sessions. I want to thank you for guiding me until I reached this place. I now feel whole and confident and happy. I feel truly capable (and worthy) to succeed in my business. What's more, I'm enjoying all of the people in my life, and I can tell that they're aware of that. Life is good. I'm grateful.

If you think my words will help others, please feel free to share this with them."

Carolyn Metcalf
Business Owner

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"I just have something very exciting to tell you. I have just been offered a staff position for quite a lot of money for someone in my position! Total package is worth over $20K more than I'm on now! When offering the position to me, they expressed how much they were impressed at the way I take matters into my own hands to learn new things and the way I work in a team. They have been working very hard to secure this position for me and I am so grateful to them for going in to bat for me. It is so lovely to be appreciated when I've worked so hard to get where I am!

Anyway, I wanted to share it with you because you have been instrumental in my journey."

Meredith Hopkins
Geologist

Presentation Comments

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1 hour presentation/interaction on "DISC" Assessments and "Are you Coachable?"

Women's Academy of Triathlon - 120 women aged between 18 and 65 participating in a 7 week intensive triathlon training course aimed at preparing them for triathlon whether it be their first or their 100th. Size of group: about 18 were at the presentation.

Comments and Feedback from attendees:

From a co-ordinators point of view I could not speak any higher of Sandee. Sandee was delightful to deal with when organising the session. Always diligent, approachable, fantastically positive and totally accomodating of the requirements of the group.

Sandee was the ultimate professional, arriving early, totally prepared and also had the fantastic ability to also cater for the women's needs as they may have diverted from her original format.

The women were treated to one of the best sessions in the 7 weeks.

It was a great experience for me to observe as the women had the week earlier had a sports psych session and in my mind I was unsure how much more they would get from this session but without doubt it was the star show for the course. The girls raved about it and I as the overall co-ordinator could see positive outcomes both from the participants and also the coaches who went along.

Sandee has a beautiful manner and a very calming way with her sessions. She is assertive, believable and totally in tune with different people's needs.

The Women's Academy of Triathlon were ever so much richer for the experience of Sandee - Fantastic.

The feedback sheets that I gave the course participants all want next time more sessions on this and many of those that did not attend wrote that they sorely missed not seeing that session because of what they had heard from those that did attend and that next time there would be no way that they would miss it.

I am also one of the owners of Bikeforce South Perth and thoroughly see the benefit in the sessions. We have participated in many workshops and last year we were awarded Australian Franchisee of the Year for any business doing franchising (64,000 Australian wide). As part of our prize we were lucky enough to attend many forums and sessions designed to help and promote businesses to grow. I must say that I learnt more from Sandee's session than from many of the ones I attended and that is not being derogatory to their sessions but just congratulatory of Sandee's standard.

I thoroughly recommend Sandee for her professional and educational enhancements.

Best wishes
Vicki Delves
Voted best Sales Assisitant in Biketrade in WA in 2003 and 2004
Bikeforce South Perth
Voted Best bike shop 2003 and 2004
Australian Franchisee Of the Year
Brownes Everywoman of the Year winner-for Sport-July 2005

Colleague Comments

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Feedback from Coaching Colleagues listening to a Coaching Call during Coach U Training

Listening: Really heard the client;

Language: 'Scariness' - great word to use;

Intuition: Looked inside the client;

Questioning: Great questions,stayed with the client;

Other skills: Acknowledged the client and built her up;

Personal Presence (ie voice quality, tone, being present, using intuition): Voice tone was with client;

Here's what I specifically noticed about your presence: I noticed specifically that you are part of the client, dancing;

Something I'd like to acknowledge you for is: Your reframing the clients questions was very good;

"Sandee, You did a really terrific job. You were coaching the 'who' from the very beginning. Your question: 'What do you need from me right now?' gave the client a big shift. The other question 'What would make it OK?' was just wonderful. You are truly a great coach."

Alan Goldberg
Personal and Professional Life and Business Coach
CoachAGoldberg@aol.com

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Listening: Displayed excellent listening skills-noted "Deep sigh"---what's underneath that? "Great distinction for yourself" Reflected back excellently-ie. Personal Approach vs Business Understanding - great distinction for yourself.

Language: So appropriate for the moments of the call-gentle and sensitive when needed---"what do you need from me right now?", That is lovely. Actioning and directing when appropriate-"That is a good start." How can you energize the word "help"? --brilliant. Even when endorsing-"I was thinking of you as a Thesaurus!" Great turn of the phrase.

Intuition: Simply unbelievable allowing the space, caring as needed, moving forward when appropriate-with permission. Again the "Deep sigh" and digging deeper was extremely well timed.

Questioning: Wonderful open-ended questions that were previously noted, along with "What would make it OK?" "That went clunk?"

Other skills: Outstanding relating skills---displayed respect, caring, and belief in the client from the beginning. An amazing call transitioning from the potential "therapy" direction, the need to provide space to move forward, the playful lightness as things evolved and the supportiveness were terrific.

"Absolutely genuine, wonderful tone quality, fun laugh, going with the flow of the conversation.

You were absolutely present for her in any way that she needed that to be. I would agree about exploring a couple of the "clunk" comments and some of the other language tidbits that popped up. However, you were absolutely wonderful to listen to.

As previously indicated, the entire experience was a privilege to be a part of. I especially took away the wonderful Norwegian Proverb that you quoted which I think was "That which is loved, is always beautiful." That captured the essence of the approach that you took with the client and will provide a remarkable foundation for you as a coach. PS-it is now on my office wall! Thank you!"

Rick Griffin
Eaglespire Coaching, LLC
eaglespirecoaching@charter.net