Persefone Coaching

I came to this understanding early, though not through study. I grew up moving, first between different parts of the country I was born in and then between different countries altogether, and what I noticed, long before I had any framework for it, was that the labels people placed on me and the expectations they held for me kept changing depending on where I was. What was confident in one place was too much in another. What was reserved in one community was cold in the next. The traits that...

Leadership used to be about authority and commanding “respect” or even fear from subordinates. It was a person who pushed others to perform. That used the stick more than the carrot. But this is not the most effective style and just leads to burnout and low motivation. Therefore, what is a better style? How should we lead? There are many leadership theories and styles floating around from laissez-faire to coaching. You can take a myriad of tests to find out which one you are. There is also...

When people look for a coach, they often focus on experience, speciality, or method. But there is something else that shapes whether coaching works for you, and it is harder to put into words. It is how the coach shows up. Their energy, the way they communicate, how formal or relaxed they are, how much warmth they bring. This is what is sometimes called coaching presence. Coaching presence is separate from coaching style. A calm coach can challenge you directly. A casual coach can do deep,...