Karen Failes-Coad
1. What brought you to coaching?
As a HR leader at Target Corporation, I saw the benefits of having an executive coach via the coaches we hired to work with some of our Executive Leaders. The results were very positive which impacted the trajectory of the leader/client, improved team performance, and ultimately led to better business results. I was fortunate to work with these coaches and they inspired me to pursue Executive/Leadership coaching once I retired from Target in 2015.
2. Tell us about your coaching practice. (Niche, ideal client, etc.)
The majority of my coaching practice focuses on major transitions. This includes leaders promoted to much larger areas of responsibilities, leaders moving into new roles in a new organization, and leaders taking on a new area of responsibility with a substantial learning curve. Additionally, some of my ideal clients are women in traditionally male-dominated businesses or organizations, leaders who are struggling with a leadership dimension, and leaders in non-profit organizations.
Before my HR leadership roles, I ran three very profitable multimillion dollar businesses with complete responsibility for P&L. These responsibilities, for 15 years, provide me with experiences to draw upon relative to strategy, marketing, negotiation, team leadership, partner relationships and more.
3. What do you love about your coaching work?
The opportunity to learn and connect with my clients while helping them achieve their desired personal and professional goals. Using head and heart to explore opportunities
that perhaps my client has not considered in the past and experiencing their growth and increased happiness.
4. Tell us about the coaching tools, books, podcasts, etc. that you follow that helps you to stay informed.
· Tools from the Hudson Institute of Coaching
· Harvard Business Review
· CCL- Center for Creative Leadership
· Patrick Lencioni- 5 Dysfunctions of a Team
· Watkins, The First 90 Days
· HOGAN Assessments
· McKinsey Quarterly
· Bridges, Transitions
· Simon Sinek
· Brene Brown
· Pam McLean, Self as Coach Self as Leader
5. How has ICF-MN helped you as a coach?
· Creating new contacts and providing new resources
· An opportunity to contribute leadership
· A community of practice
6. How can folks connect with you? Via my LinkeIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-failes-coad-acc-6a71586/ And email at riverroadcoaching@gmail.com
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