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Daily Impact: Coaching at Work and Beyond

The Coaching Academy Blog

Posted: June 2024

In this week's Coach in the Spotlight feature, we share the coaching journey of Nandini Balakumar, a passionate coach committed to helping people reach their full potential.  In her coaching journey, she’s seamlessly integrated coaching skills into her daily life, using them to support colleagues, foster growth, and create a positive impact while working for The British Heart Foundation. She also coaches part-time, Nandini Life Coaching, coaching young professionals & within education. Read on as she shares her coaching journey, insights and tips with us.

What has led you to coaching? 

I feel that coaching and mentoring was in my nature even before formal training. My passion lies in helping people achieve their potential. I do have a large family and look after a large team at work.  Once at a conference, someone recognised my innate coaching abilities, which prompted me to pursue an official coaching qualification.  

How has coaching benefited your own life? 

Coaching has enriched my life by fostering deeper self-awareness and empathy. It’s a reciprocal journey where I learn and grow alongside those I coach.

How did you discover The Coaching Academy? 

I did do some research and I found The Coaching Academy to be the most flexible to fit in with my full-time working life.

What was the most rewarding part of your coaching journey? 

I had the opportunity of working with many clients during my period of study and observing clients gain clarity, overcome obstacles and achieve their goals is incredibly rewarding. It’s like witnessing a seed grow into a flourishing tree - a testament to their resilience and they have all the answers within them, and coaching helps them to see this.    Connecting with new colleagues during the process was an unexpected bonus, enriching both my professional and personal life.

What are the best Coaching Academy resources that have helped you along your coach training journey? 

Initially it was The Coaching Academy's free 'Introduction to Life Coaching' webinar. Being online also helped and it has it benefits. To support the live training part of the Life Coaching Course, there are supporting coach training videos that you can pick up on and the online offer is comprehensive and flexible. The workbooks we receive as part of the Life Coaching Course give us resources which are very useful even after qualifying.

How are you using your coaching skills?

In my coaching journey, I’ve seamlessly integrated coaching skills into my daily life. At work, I actively use these skills to guide colleagues, foster growth and create a positive impact including collaborating and coaching in the moment.  I also coach part-time as a Life Coach, Nandini Life Coaching, working with young professionals and education, my clients include: parents, returning to work, mothers seeking work life-balance and young adults (18–24 year olds).

Can you share a coaching tool or coaching question that you find particularly effective in facilitating self-discovery for clients?

Self-discovery is a powerful journey and asking the right questions can unlock profound insights. What do you fear the most and what would the reasons be? This will make us understand their fears and how it impacts their choices and behaviours. It’s a gateway to self-awareness and growth.

What types of feedback have you received from clients regarding the impact of your coaching on their personal or professional lives? 

Professional impact: "Your coaching helped me navigate a challenging career transition. I gained clarity on my goals, developed effective communication strategies and secured a promotion. Your guidance was transformative!”  

Personal growth: "Through our coaching sessions, I discovered my limiting beliefs and learned to reframe them. I now approach life with more confidence, resilience and a growth mindset. Thank you for empowering me!”  

What’s the biggest area in coaching you are curious about and why? 

Coaching isn’t confined to one stage—it’s a dynamic process that resonates with diverse individuals. My areas would be: Coaching young professionals, teachers, parents, and mothers returning to work which allows me to witness transformation across different contexts.  Supporting transitions and growth aligns with my passion for holistic well-being. Whether it’s early career challenges, classroom dynamics, or parenting, coaching contributes to a balanced life journey.

What tips would you give someone wanting to pursue a coaching career? 

  • Passion and purpose are essential. Understand that coaching is about helping others thrive and achieve their goals.
  • Attend the free 'Introduction to Life Coaching' webinar by the coaching Academy on becoming a coach.
  • Coaching is about understanding others deeply, showing empathy and having good listening skills.

Thank you Nandini for sharing your inspirational coaching journey with us!

 

If you are interested in learning more about coaching, then please join us on our free Introduction to Life Coaching webinar, we also have an Insight into Corporate and Executive Coaching webinar that you can book for free too - please see our coaching training calendar to book your place!

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The Coaching Academy was established in 1999, and is now the world's largest coaching school.

In that time we have trained over 14,000 people to become life coaches.

We are accredited by the International Coach Federation and the Association for Coaching, and we're rated 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot.

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