As a relatively new employee at the Saint John Learning Exchange, Amanda Beckwith jumped at the opportunity to take a coaching workshop through the United Way.
Working as a soft skills facilitator, part of her job involved coaching clients on their educational and employment goals – the workshop seemed a perfect fit.
She was taken aback by the power of the five-part workshop, facilitated by Vision Coaching’s Bruce McLeod. It taught Amanda and other non-profit leaders how to use a coach approach in helping others solve problems.
“It was such an amazing chance to work with Bruce because I got to see coaching in action.
He was so positive and upbeat and I really enjoyed it,” Amanda says. “I love the phrase Bruce would use about holding people capable.”
The United Way Saint John Kings & Charlotte has selected Vision Coaching as its provider for coaching services for non-profit leaders.
'A great offering to the community'
Executive director Alexya Heelis recalls getting a text as the first session with Bruce was underway.
“This is so amazing,” he told her. “Bruce is incredible. Thank you for this opportunity. I have a colleague on the call too. She called me on the break saying she is learning a lot. What a great offering to the community!”
Alexya says her organization moved away from another coaching provider to go with Vision Coaching, which avidly supports the United Way – including as a founding partner through the Million Dollar Pledge.
She was also impressed with how Vision Coaching is willing to tailor a program to what the United Way needed.
Nerve-wracking
“It was a little nerve-wracking to move away from what we knew to move over to Vision. But definitely the feedback we've gotten has confirmed that this has been a great decision and a great partnership. And we'll continue going to Vision for all of our coaching needs,” Alexya says.
For Amanda, the coaching skills she learned through the sessions have given her a better focus for her work, a more effective way of helping clients and have delivered stronger outcomes for her and the people she serves.
“I am extremely grateful,” she says. “This has made a huge difference for me – I feel so much stronger in my job.”