Our main objective here at the National Coach Academy is to enable aspiring coaches to reach their full professional potential. One of the most effective ways to educate students about the world of coaching is by offering them a window into the world of real, practicing coaches and showing them all the different ways coaches make a difference in the lives of their clients.
We hope today’s interview adds another insightful glimpse into the dynamic world of coaching.
Today we are interviewing Lisa Fischer. Lisa is a Certified Life Coach and Yoga Instructor based in Davis, California. She is the founder of Focused Path Coaching.
NCA: Can you describe your coaching practice and the kinds of clients you typically work with?
Lisa: As a Life and Leadership Coach I work with individuals and teams to guide them to discover their path and define their goals by asking powerful questions and encouraging their use of curiosity. My clients are typically looking to solve issues that limit them from expressing their true desires and accomplishing their goals. Sometimes it is about reconnecting to true values and other times it’s challenging existing belief systems. Most of my clients are looking to up level their current work situation and find that their life at home is so intertwined that we end up exploring how they both connect with each other to uncover the wisdom within – where the true answers lie.
NCA: What initially got you interested in this career path and what kind of degree or certifications did you need to complete, if any?
Lisa: I became interested in coaching about 15 years ago in my previous position as a leader/manager overseeing a large staff in a public sector organization. I was fortunate to be in a situation where I could mentor and coach employees that were looking to become more self-aware and realize gains in their career through self-improvement. I loved working with people one on one helping them to take their next steps to expand on their career and balance their life/work. I also loved working with my team to guide them through experiences to create a more efficient and cohesive group, focusing on strengths and working together to accomplish goals and objectives of a project or program.
I am a Certified Coach through an ICF affiliated organization and have an ACC through ICF pending.
NCA: What is the most rewarding part of your career and on the flip side, what is the most challenging aspect of the work that you do?
Lisa: The most rewarding part of my career as a coach is for someone or a group to reach an Ah-ha moment, where a light bulb truly goes off and it’s obvious from the expression on their face and the excitement in their voice. This is a moment where a perspective and mindset has shifted…that to me is very rewarding and exciting.
The most challenging aspect is working with people who don’t realize a coach isn’t there to tell them what and how to do something but to guide them through a process for their discovery. I’ve had many experiences where clients aren’t clear that this is their work and that they get out of a coaching session what they put into it.
NCA: Can you think of a mentor who was most vital to your success as a coach? In what ways did this mentor help you to thrive in your career?
Lisa: Oh yes, definitely, I have an amazing mentor who truly helped me shift my own perspective about myself. She helped me to realize that I have the confidence, passion and interest to become a coach and to share the experiences I’ve had in my life and in business in ways that can help guide others to their discovery.
NCA: Finally, what advice would you give someone looking to get started in the career path that you chose?
Lisa: Be curious – so curious that the questions fall out of your mouth easily as you coach your clients.