THE CONTEXT

B, a seasoned CEO, was proud of the clinical practice she had helped grow for more than a decade. But as the dynamic with the clinic’s owners became increasingly challenging, she knew it was time for a profound change. An attempt at group coaching proved unfruitful, so B decided to invest in executive coaching herself to explore how she might approach the situation differently and find the best path forward. After interviewing a couple of coaches, she ultimately chose Jennifer Olsen because of her thoughtfulness and calmness—the exact qualities that B felt she needed more of in herself.

“I was thinking about leaving, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I thought, let’s see where this leads. Maybe I’ll learn something about myself, so I can improve. I wanted to see where I was making mistakes and how I could approach things differently.”
- B, Business Owner

CLARIFYING THE VISION

The group coach had been quick to jump to B’s side when she recounted tense conversations, but B appreciated that Jennifer stayed neutral and asked insightful questions to help her reach her own conclusions.

“Jennifer was amazing at not automatically taking my side. She would say, ‘Let’s look at that situation and see what we can tease out, or how you could have approached it differently to perhaps get a different result.’”

Once it became clear that it was time to part ways, B was unsure what to do next. Her discussions with Jennifer quickly helped her realize that she was ready to be the CEO of her own business. By talking through her strengths and capabilities, Jennifer helped B transform her passion into the building blocks for her own consulting business.

“I wasn’t even really considering going out on my own. I just knew I wasn’t happy with where I was. I had no clarity about what I was going to do next, or what it might look like. After a short period of time, she could see things in me that I couldn’t see. It soon became super clear.”

PERSONALIZING THE PATH

Jennifer used the Integrative Enneagram assessment to help B identify her strengths as a leader, as well as opportunities to improve her interpersonal communication.

The assessment identified B as an Integrative Enneagram Style 8—Active Controller. At their best, these visionary challengers use their strength to uplift others, and B came to appreciate how her passion and enthusiasm could be an asset in winning clients. At the same time, Jennifer helped her learn some valuable new communication strategies.

“The Enneagram had me pegged right away—the impulsivity, passion, how to tame it a little. It was helpful to look at it on paper—seeing the good stuff as well as the roadblocks and what to work on. I wanted to make thoughtful changes and present myself differently to the world.”

B also wanted to consider processes that would help her succeed as a business owner. Throughout the engagement, B eagerly dug into the steady stream of resources Jennifer recommended, on everything from strategies for growing a business and managing time effectively to asking for what she needs.

CATALYZING GROWTH

Working with Jennifer has helped B be more intentional and thoughtful, to ask more questions and listen more deeply. These qualities have transformed how she communicates with her teenage sons and helped her succeed as a business owner. She recognizes that she often sees things differently than her clients, but she has learned the value of asking questions to lead them to the right place instead of just jumping in with the answer.

”The coaching really made me see that there’s always an opportunity to be a more effective communicator. I am much more careful about thinking things through from the other person’s perspective before I respond. This helps me show potential clients that I’m on their side, but I want them to see new ways of doing things.”

Now B has a thriving consulting business, with satisfying work she loves and time to pursue the activities she enjoys. Her experience with Jennifer Olsen Coaching helped her transform a period of uncertainty into a rewarding new chapter of personal and professional growth.

“The coaching definitely helped me believe in myself more. I was very nervous starting out. Honestly, without it, I never would have taken the jump and gone out on my own. Jennifer was the catalyst for the change.”