ICF Houston Chapter’s Post

KNOWING STUFF ISN'T ENOUGH - YOUR BEHAVIOUR NEEDS TO CHANGE The best Boss I ever had blocked off time for a one-to-one meeting every month with each of his Direct Reports. He asked each of us the same 3 questions every time we met... 📌 What have you learnt in the last month? 📌 How have you implemented what you've learnt? 📌 How are you more effective this month because of what you've DONE differently as a result? These questions were powerful - & often hard to answer. But his non-negotiable stance was that it doesn't matter how many books you read, courses you attend, networking events you participate in, presentations you hear, colleagues you learn from etc. If you don't IMPLEMENT the ideas you learn from them, then it's as if you hadn't attended at all - & other people won't see any difference in you. Working with a Coach is a great way to stay accountable - & to figure out which new ideas to integrate into your business/life 'masterplan', so they become the focused daily habits that will really fast track your career & life. #besuccessfulonpurpose #businesscoaching #focuseddailyhabits #accountabilitypartner #lifelonglearning

Recently, I came across an intriguing concept: Dunbar’s Magic Number—the idea that we can maintain meaningful relationships with only about 150 people at a time. As a Digital Marketing and Soft Skills Career Coach, this resonated deeply with me. We live in an era where we’re constantly encouraged to grow our networks—more LinkedIn connections, more followers, more acquaintances. But is more always better? Dunbar’s theory reminded me of the power of quality over quantity. Here’s how I’ve started applying it in my own journey: ✅Focusing on depth, not breadth: Instead of spreading myself too thin, I’m intentionally strengthening relationships with the people who matter most in my career. ✅Prioritizing authenticity: Whether it’s a mentor, a colleague, or a client, I aim to be truly present and offer genuine value. A quick check-in or sharing a helpful resource often goes a long way. ✅Refreshing my circle: Careers evolve, and so do connections. I’ve learned it’s okay to let some relationships fade naturally while welcoming new ones aligned with my goals. This shift has been a game-changer—not just for my career but also for the impact I can create in the lives of others. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to “know everyone,” here’s my advice: focus on your core 150—the mentors, collaborators, and friends who truly add value to your journey. Nurture these relationships intentionally, and you’ll see the magic unfold. Have you ever thought about who your top 150 might be? Let’s discuss below! #Networking #CareerGrowth #SoftSkills #softskillstrainer #digitalmarketingtrainer #jaipurcoach #DunbarsNumber

It's going to be a long, full day so I'm starting it right! Starting the day well and making my morning start meaningful sets me up for things going well. Half an hour of peace and nutritious food/coffee checking emails and catching up on reading means my head is in the right space for a day of: 🤲 Coaching conversations with courageous thinking partners keen to make real changes in their approach to life at home and work 🤲 a planning workshop over a few hours with fellow like minded professional coaches In Jersey (Anny Bodenstein Sue Pallot NMcDip APC Melissa Chester Lesley Mourant PCC) 🤲 The Leadership Jersey event - always a good opportunity to learn and connect with new and 'old' colleagues locally across business sectors, sharing information, expertise and support. 📝 Business admin, preparing and following up clients and business opportunities Being self employed isn't the easy option, it can involve long hours and learning to live with uncertainty but the value of autonomy means I can plan my days to ensure that when I do work those long hours, there is variety and the opportunity to 'pulse' between work that requires focus and that which allows my brain to refresh, giving me the best opportunity to be as effective as I can be. Today is one of those days so starting well is part of that. When you have a long day ahead, how can you make your start count?

Following on from my post earlier in the week about my business 21st birthday, today we are having a clear out. We’ve found hundreds of discs and CDs with training courses etc on them. Plus my notebook of when I set up! Here’s the drawing of my proposed website. I’ve definitely niched down from what I set out to do, which was a learning and development consultancy dealing with all kinds of training. I did have pieces of work in all of those areas but gradually over time it’s focused more on career coaching and LinkedIn coaching for both individuals and business. I still love the combination of careers and technology. It’s such a common question about what’s your niche, and so hard to answer. And how niche do you go? Learning and Development could be seen as a niche within HR. When I did my CIPD training, it was one of the 4 main modules. Outpacement / career coaching could be seen as a niche within learning and development. Clients within a certain sector could be a niche within career coaching. How has your work or business changed since you started? Have you found any gems like this when clearing out? —— I’m Sarah, Career Coach working with all levels from student to CEO across all sectors. And showing you how to make the most of LinkedIn for you and/or your business.

💬 What were your proudest moments in 2024? This year hasn’t been without its challenges, especially for career coaches navigating a tougher financial climate. At Firework Career Coaching, we’ve felt the impact too. But reflecting on the year, we’re reminded of the amazing milestones we’ve reached and the incredible community we’re lucky to be part of. Here are some of the highlights: ⭐ Three Firework Training courses delivered online with outstanding feedback from participants – a huge credit to our trainers: Michelle Bayley CPCC PCC, Sarah Dawrant, BA, CPCC, Anna Levy, PCC, and John Lees. ⭐ Five Career Coach Masterclasses, featuring John Lees and Natasha Stanley, and hosted by the brilliant Rachel Schofield. ⭐ All Firework Coaching materials have gone fully online! We’re in the trial phase now, and can’t wait to share them with all licensed coaches in the new year. ⭐ The 2024 International Career Coach Landscape Report – created in partnership with John Lees, this report includes insights from a record 423 coaches across 50 countries. (If you’d like a copy, check the link in the comments!) ⭐ Celebrating 20 years of Firework! We honoured our co-founders, Marianne Craig MCC and Kate Edmonds, with a film of gratitude – a wonderful moment to reflect on the impact Firework has created. ✨ Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited about: 🔹 Hosting a Career Coach Masterclass on January 23rd with John Lees: “How to help your clients make game-changing connections and still feel authentic.” 🔹 Welcoming a new cohort of coaches onto the Firework Training on March 20th. (Curious to learn more? Join our free informational webinar on January 30th – details coming soon!) 🔹 Continuing to collaborate, build partnerships, and support you – our amazing community of coaches – to create even greater impact in 2025. 👉 What have been your biggest wins or lessons this year? 👉 What are you most looking forward to in 2025? #careercoachtraining #2024highlights #lookingahead

Crafting a Career Takes a Village: Resources That Led Me to My New Role In my career journey, I've discovered success is achieved with others. Here are the key resources and communities that guided me to my new role. Generalist World: A pivotal moment came when I received feedback that prompted reflection on my brand and leadership potential. This insight spurred growth. I'm grateful that Nikitha Shankar S. asked the key question: Do you want to specialize or remain a generalist? This led me to a community of not only generalists but a vibrant place where members support and cheer each other on. With their support, I began to see my value more clearly. Coaching Support: Have you ever seen an athlete without a coach? Neither have I. Ruth Sternberg, ✨Career Alchemist ⭐ 5x Certified’s You-Map Exercise springboarded my introspection. Elizabeth Manning and Susanna Williams offered empathetic guidance, leading me to achieve clarity. Jessica E. Samuels Executive Career and Leadership Coaching, ACC was instrumental in packaging me up cohesively. Other Communities: One of the best pieces of advice was, "If you want to hang with lions, you have to walk into the long grass and find them." The Chief of Staff Network is a fantastic resource for current and aspiring Chiefs of Staff, offering community-led research, education and professional development programs, and a trusted peer group. Collaboratory Career Hub | Biotech Career Coach Podcast hub is dedicated to biotech job search and career development. The office hours Carina Clingman, PhD offers, is paramount - It's like having a Head of Talent Acquisition on speed dial where she provides feedback on resumes and advice. Lunchclub is great for practicing pitches, sharing resources, and exploring perspectives. Other Resources: Don’t discount microlearning via Substack, social media, and podcasts. Some of my recommended follows are: Wes Kao, Clara Ma, Mackenzie Lee, Yue Z., Taylor Malmsheimer, and Gregory Shove (links to Substacks in comments). Shoutout: A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Your support, guidance, and encouragement have been invaluable. Call to Action: What resources do you have to share with those currently on the journey? Let's build a community of support and knowledge sharing. #Leadership #Strategy #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerDesign

Here's my 2024 LinkedIn Rewind, by Coauthor.studio: 2024: A Year of Professional Alchemy ✨ When D. came to me feeling stuck in her career, she didn't just need a recruiter or a coach. She needed someone who could see her entire professional landscape - and help her navigate it. This year taught me that our most powerful transformations happen when we embrace multiple perspectives. As a senior IT recruiter at Aera Technology and a newly certified career coach at Elevate Your Career, I discovered something magical: our professional identities aren't separate paths, but interconnected journeys. The crucial point? Learning that talent isn't just about skills - it's about understanding human potential. Milestone Moments: - Completed a 360-hour coaching certification, transforming from recruiter to transformation catalyst 🎓 - https://lnkd.in/dizXk7zc - Launched comprehensive career coaching services that blend recruitment insights with deep personal development strategies - Helped professionals like D. not just change jobs, but reimagine their entire career narratives My most impactful posts this year explored how mindset shapes our professional reality: 1. "Fixed vs Growth Mindset in Career Development" Insights on how perspective determines professional evolution https://lnkd.in/dqMDX6ue 2. "Workplace Mental Health and Support" Insights on how perspective determines professional evolution https://lnkd.in/dJ6hk-qD Looking ahead to 2025: I'm designing integrated coaching programs that leverage both my recruitment expertise and coaching techniques. Because true career transformation happens when we see ourselves holistically. Deep gratitude to all clients who entrusted me with their professional journeys. #CareerTransformation #ProfessionalGrowth #MindsetMatters #CoachingJourney #LinkedInRewind #2024wrapped

New profile picture, new cover photo and now it’s time for a new reintroduction 😎 For those who have recently followed me on LinkedIn, welcome! It’s nice to have you here. My name is Jeffrey Manso AKA Mr LinkedIn and I’m a Career Coach and Keynote Speaker. I run a training and development organisation called Gr8ness Coaching where I empower students and professionals to gain clarity on their career path. I specialise in helping students and professionals learn new professional development skills in the following areas: • Personal Branding using LinkedIn • Professional Emailing • The Power of Networking • Personal Growth • Professional Etiquette • High Performance • Productivity Some of my recent clients include the UK Black Business Show, BYP Network, Motivez, Foundervine, York St John University and many more. Please visit my website www.jeffreymanso.com for more information. I also run 1-2-1 coaching sessions where I help students, professionals and entrepreneurs in the following areas: • Personal Branding on LinkedIn • Content Creation Ideas  • Networking Tips • Personal Growth strategies • Career Progression • Career Change If you need any support from me in any of these area, then reach out to me. While I have your attention, I made a post yesterday that I’ve been nominated for the ‘Outstanding Professional Of The Year’ and I would really appreciate it if you could vote for me 🙏 Please click the link on my LinkedIn profile to place your vote for me 🙌 #linkedin #careercoach #keynotespeaker #highereducation #professionals #university #corporatelife #contentcreation

I'm excited to announce that I’m diving into a new research project aimed at supporting coaches in Building Authentic, Thriving Coaching Practices. As part of this initiative, I’m looking to interview coaches who are: ✅ Currently in a coaching program or up to five years out of one   ✅ Actively working on building their own coaching businesses If this sounds like someone you know, I'd love a referral or connection! The interview will be a 30-minute conversation focused on their journey and insights. As a thank-you, I’ll be happy to offer valuable feedback and suggestions for growing their practice—no strings attached. Why the Interviews? These discussions will help create a resource for the coaching community, exploring: 1. How long it typically takes for new coaches to establish their practices post-program 2. The real costs of setting up the business side of coaching (excluding ongoing training) 3. Key challenges like client acquisition, pricing, and other business fundamentals This is not a sales call—just a collaborative conversation to gain and share insights. If you know coaches who might be open to sharing their experiences, please connect us. Thanks so much for your help in shaping this project for the community! 🙏

Have you ever talked with someone so wise that they left you speechless? I have! Recently, I had such an amazing conversation with someone I admire, Jenn Fowler Howard. As she talked to me, I couldn't help but take notes and shake my head. While she said so many beautiful things, I will never forget the question, "Who else is Anita better known as "Coach P?" Wow! She added, "While building your brand, make sure your brand doesn't limit you!" I know that was straight 🔥🔥 It can be hard to redefine your brand if you've built a brand and fully embraced it. However, I know that now is the time to rebrand myself. While there is nothing more that I love than...  👉🏾 Coaching others to see the greatness they have within.  👉🏾 Managing a virtual platform, exploring various professional development topics needed to help professionals secure their career adventures. 👉🏾 Coaching other coaches to a level of excellence, impacting those they serve.  👉🏾 Exploring uncomfortable but informative conversations for various layers of DEIB&C. Yes, I love doing those things, but there is so much more to me as a person and professional. 👏🏾 I am a thought leader with creative solutions and initiatives to create and sustain a healthy world culture, aiding in decreasing employee turnover. 👏🏾 I am a public speaker with the charisma to lead the masses to embrace a mindset to thrive in whatever goals they set.  👏🏾 I am a learning and development enthusiast with creativity and innovation to create a cutting-edge curriculum and training materials to help prepare professionals to attain and sustain their next career adventures.  👏🏾 I am a trainer passionate about teaching other coaches to a level of excellence using abreast methodologies and research.  👏🏾 I am a thought leader for DEIB&C initiatives, creating an inclusive environment for all teams to feel heard, valued, respected, and understood. As I prepare for my next career adventure, prepare to see myself as just a coach no longer; prepare to see all facets of Mrs.P. Get ready! Get ready! Get ready! #Brand #CareerAdventures #NewBeginning