Self-Awareness

Emotional self-awareness is the most important skill for leadership effectiveness.

young woman asking herself questions before hiring a coach

7 Important Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Hire a Coach

Before you hire a coach you might want to work with, it’s time to find out whether they’re the right fit for you. Key Takeaways for what do before you hire a coach If you only have a minute Consider why leadership matters to you Reflecting before you hire saves time and money and leads to a better match. Know your learning style Decide whether you prefer reflection, structure, or a mix. Clarify your goals and values Clear goals help…

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coaches each with a different coaching style

It’s Important to Choose a Coach with the Right Coaching Style for You

Coaching style is one of the biggest factors in whether your coaching experience succeeds—or stalls. Ignoring this key element is one of the most common mistakes people make when choosing a coach. Key Takeaways about Coaching Style If you only have a minute Remember this Why it matters Your coach’s style affects whether the relationship succeeds or stalls. Non-directive style Best for people who prefer reflection and self-discovery. Directive style Works well for those who want structure, tools, and clear…

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woman happy at a meeting because she knows what business coaching is

What Business Coaching Is and Why It Works: The Proven Science That Helps Good Leaders Get Even Better

Most of my clients don’t know much about what business coaching is when they first start talking to me. Most people think coaching means getting advice from an expert. It’s not. The best business coaches don’t tell you what to do—they help you see what’s really going on so you can make better choices faster. Think of it as guided reflection that turns everyday experiences into growth. Key Takeaways for What Business Coaching Is If you only have a minute…

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professionals connecting and sharing ideas to build visibility at work

Visibility at Work: Why It Matters More Than You Think

Visibility at work isn’t about self-promotion; it’s about connection. Without visibility at work, even your best work can go unnoticed. Career visibility is how people know what you contribute, how you collaborate, and the value you bring to the team. Visibility at Work I can’t count the number of times I’ve gone to a work event with my husband where no one said a word to me all night except hello and goodbye. His industry is completely separate from mine,…

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A calm, confident person standing clearly in focus while a crowd around them fades into blur — symbolizing how secure attachment builds inner confidence.

Your Attachment Style and Confidence: How to Understand Confidence and Develop More of It

Why are some people confident and others aren’t? Research shows that attachment style and confidence are closely related. Attachment style is the way you connect with others and your ability to build trusting relatinships. Attachment style develops early, shaped by how consistently and safely your caregivers responded to your needs. Over time, those patterns become internalized as your “relational blueprint.” As it turns out, how you form relationships with others has a powerful influence on confidence Three Attachment Styles and…

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Human hand pushing a red button, representing stress response at work and emotional triggers

When Small Things Set You Off: Understanding the Stress Response at Work

Have you ever snapped over something small—a late email, a missed comma, a colleague’s tone? You’re not alone. A stress response at work can often feel bigger than the moment, leaving you wondering, “Why did that set me off?” Key Takeaways When you learn how to recognize your triggers at work, you can learn to interrupt you stress response at work and reset to calm. Proven strategies—like pausing to breathe, stepping away briefly, or validating others’ feelings—help interrupt the impulse…

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Lisa D. Foster, Ph.D. ACC  is an independent coach. As an Associate Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation, Lisa honors and abides by the ICF Code of Ethics.  All coaching sessions and consultations are confidential.

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