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 Sandra Dillon. Sandra is a Leadership and Life Coach based in Houston, Texas.
NCA: Can you describe your coaching practice and the kinds of clients you typically work with?
Sandra: My clients achieve greater insights about themselves, how they show up to others, and what they can do to achieve more success at work, in their careers, with finances, and in their marriages/relationships. I use a holistic approach to help them understand how to build a rewarding and fulfilling life.
My practice includes individuals of all ages, genders, life transitions, and socio-economic levels who seek more from life as well as business owners and teams focused on growing their companies and achieving their goals. It’s not unusual for one of my clients, with whom I worked to make a career change, to be sitting with his wife on my couch engaged in marriage coaching. The reverse is common as well.
When someone feels more empowered and equipped, they serve and lead their families, friends, and colleagues with more confidence. They have more purpose, energy, and clarity. When one person pushes the needle higher in his or her leadership abilities, everyone benefits.
NCA: What initially got you interested in this career path and what kind of degree or certifications did you need to complete, if any?
Sandra: After nearly 35 years of working in Corporate America as a degreed chemical engineer and senior business leader, I felt I’d achieved all that I set out to do in the chemical industry. I then got a calling on my life to help others. Coaching was a natural fit and one where I felt like I was returning to my roots. In college, people called me The Coach.
After graduating with my Master’s in Life Coaching, I launched my business and have been coaching and consulting under the Shine Crossings banner for three years. Based on the diversity of my clients, I like to refer to myself as The People’s Coach.
NCA: What is the most rewarding part of your career?
Sandra: Seeing lives changed for the better and its domino effect on families and community are the most rewarding aspects of being a Life and Leadership Coach. When someone feels more empowered and equipped, they serve and lead their families, friends, and colleagues with more confidence. They have more purpose, energy, and clarity. When one person pushes the needle higher in his or her leadership abilities, everyone benefits.
NCA: What is the most challenging aspect of the work that you do?
Sandra: By far, educating on what coaching is and isn’t has been the most challenging aspect of developing my coaching business. Many people equate coaching with counseling and don’t understand its value. As I often say, “Not everyone needs a counselor, but everyone can benefit from a coach.” Coaching and counseling are opposite ends of the spectrum. Coaching is about the future, visioning, and goal setting, whereas, counseling is about the past, hurts, and healing them. Once people get a taste of a positive coaching experience, they become my best marketing strategy. Referrals!
NCA: Can you think of mentor who was most vital to your success as a coach? In what ways did this mentor help you to thrive in your career?
Sandra: I haven’t had many mentors, mostly because of coming of age in the 80’s as a female engineer in the male-dominated chemical industry. I know first-hand what it means to try, struggle, fail, try again, and then ultimately succeed. I can relate to most of my clients on a human level as I’ve walked in their shoes.
The truth is that some of my clients are my teachers and vital to my success as a seasoned coach. They open their life storybooks and expose me to new situations which test and sharpen my coaching strategies, tools, and perspectives. One day I may be helping a client create a different life after finding sobriety in addiction, and in another session, I may be helping a divorced 50-year-old woman find her first adult job after being a stay-at-home wife for 30 years.
NCA: Finally, what advice would you give someone looking to get started in the career path that you chose?
Sandra: If you need to make a living wage from the profession, good coaching skills are not enough to have a successful practice. You also need business acumen, a marketing strategy, diligence, and resilience. Thriving coaches are entrepreneurs. Initially, you will need to focus on growing the business versus practicing your craft. Having an accurate picture of what it takes to build a successful coaching practice is important, so you can plan for the ramp-up and not become discouraged in how long it takes. Join a network of coaches who can provide support and help you navigate the way.
