The Office of Leadership has an exciting opportunity to share with you: Skillsoft Coaching. For those looking to be coached, this program offers leaders at all levels (who have been in their position more than 6 months) the opportunity to engage a leadership coach who has been certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the gold standard in coaching.
Coaching has been proven to enhance productivity, improve decision-making and elevate well-being. And now you can take advantage of this powerful development investment!
“I am happy to report that it was absolutely helpful and amazing. I highly recommend it. Also, it didn’t take up a huge amount of time. Gael (my mentor) was clearly a highly trained career coach and she really was able to dig in and guide me to improvements in many aspects of my professional life,” said Velma Vining, a civilian Training and Education Services Officer at Base Kodiak.
90% of past participants in this program report having reached their goals – now, you too can be on your way to elevating your leadership success!
Case Study 1: A Senior Chief gains private-sector leadership skills
Senior Chief Charles C. McKenzie in the Atlantic City, N.J., recruiting office, says working with coach Becky Magnotta gave him clarity, focus, and new strategies that have prepared him to lead at the highest levels.
“Becky helped me establish clear SMART goals for both my personal and professional development. Together, we developed a structured action plan to ensure I remained on track and accountable,” he said.
“When you spend most of your professional career in a highly structured environment like the Coast Guard, you become a master of the leadership competencies within that system. However, an outside perspective can broaden and deepen leadership potential, allowing for new strategies, tools, and approaches to better support and develop those you lead” McKenzie said.
Case Study 2: A "Nuclear Powerhouse" becomes a "Polynesian Wayfarer"
Everything changed for LT Keyshondra Davis, at Sector San Francisco, when her coach asked why she needs to "fix" everything, and helped her take a look at her past experiences.
"She called me a “Nuclear Powerhouse” - and I thought it was a compliment. But it’s actually not. Power plants are constantly suppling power to everyone and everything, there’s no rest period and once they have an outage everyone feels it," Davis said.
"The goal she set for me was to transition from a “Nuclear Power House” to a “Polynesian Wayfinder” – which was hilarious but sooooo needed. A way finder has great responsibilities, but they execute strategically. They understand their role in guiding and helping others succeed, but they have clear cut boundaries, and hone their craft by knowing their limitations, addressing their weaknesses and being self-aware. A way finder has great responsibilities, but they execute strategically," explained Davis, who worked with coach Renee Patton.
"I’ve grown by professionally and personally by purposely making time for myself during the duty day to ensure that I’m fully prepared for the next day," she said. "I’ve chosen not to fully take on issues that aren’t necessarily mine but remain always available to lend a helping hand when I can. Doing so established boundaries for myself to preserve my mental health wellness levels. I’m a “recovering fixer” and I’m now comfortable with owning it!"
Case Study 3: An LTJG prepares to become a working mother
LTJG Jessie Farinholt selected Barbara Acevedo Visser as her coach because of her background as a doula, which resonated with her since she was pregnant at the time.
"It turned out to be a wonderful match—I felt a genuine connection with her, and having a coach who shared similar life experiences, particularly as a working mother, was incredibly beneficial. We worked together virtually for approximately five months," LTJG said, although she skipped the final three appointments when she went on maternity leave.
"Barbara helped me develop a stronger sense of work-life balance and emphasized the importance of that balance, especially with a second child on the way. Each session included follow-up assignments that guided my focus for the next meeting," said LTJG Farinhold. "I would strongly recommend this opportunity to everyone, even if they don’t initially feel like they need it. While I initially thought these meetings would just be another task to juggle in an already busy schedule, they ultimately left me feeling more prepared, supported, and confident overall."
What is Skillsoft Coaching and how does it work?
It is a Session-Based Coaching Model:
- Includes access to entire (and growing) Skillsoft ICF certified coaching network of over 500+
- 1:1 Digital Executive Coaching Engagement
- You can have up to twelve 30-minute sessions over a six-month period
It provides relevant and personalized content recommended by the Coach and delivered via Skillsoft DHS Percipio Sites.
The program also includes integrated methodology for initial onboarding set-up: individual profile, self-assessment and 360°assessment, all driven through coaching dashboard on Percipio:
- Allows for Specialty Coaching/Specialty Interest selection in initial profile set-up
- Coach Pairing options provided immediately following completion of initial onboarding profile & self-assessment
- Includes goal setting & individual coaching plan for each Coachee
- Re-measurement to occur approximately 2/3rds of the way through engagement
The 360-degree feedback assessment provides insights from your peers and colleagues, enabling you to strategically target areas for growth.
Once paired with a Coach, the Coachee can schedule sessions via the dashboard according to both Coach and Coachee schedules for a cadence the helps Coachee to achieve goals and drive results – for up to 12 sessions total.
Ready to sign up?
This opportunity is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If selected, you will subsequently receive further information and instructions directly from Skillsoft in order to begin your coaching journey. (Please note while we have a limited number of seats in this program, in the event of high demand, we will keep your registration request wait-listed and will include you as more seats become available.)
To request a seat, please email the Coast Guard Skillsoft Coaching POC, Mrs. Alyssa Lombardi Blase (alyssa.j.lombardi@uscg.mil), with your name, rank and unit.
-USCG-
Resources:
In the News: