The Evolution of a Professional Coach

This thesis describes my journey of self discovery and renewal as I reinvented myself from my position as a sales and marketing manager in a corporate setting to that of a professional coach in private practice. I discuss my rationale for change and what precipitated it, how I became a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania and how the Organizational Dynamics program prepared me to become a coach. I will also detail the role an undiagnosed learning disability played in my life and how I tapped its gifts and utilized my strengths to become my best self. The psychological foundations for change and my role in each of the steps are outlined. The coaching process is thoroughly examined as I coached my first client using the Wilkinsky Normative 9-Step Coaching model. I present my behavioral coaching model and discuss the principles upon which it is based. Real life coaching situations illustrate how the model was applied. Highlights from five professional coaching engagements provide insights into the types of coaching that I am currently practicing. I conclude with insights for readers who may be contemplating following in my path with questions and exercises to start them on their own path toward their passion. Finally, I discuss my future in coaching and where my endeavors may lead me.