My guest for this episode is Carolyn Swinton, who is an Executive Coach and consultant, and who also happens to be one of my former clients. We worked together years ago when she was the Chief Nursing Officer of a large hospital organization. We’ve stayed in touch over the years, and more than once, after we had a meaningful conversation, I hung up thinking “We should have recorded that for a podcast.” Well, we finally did it! 

This conversation touched on a number of themes – everything from making the distinction between knowledge and wisdom to learning to take nothing personally to finding hope when everything seems out of kilter. Carolyn has a way of empowering people to live a purpose driven life, and that was one of the core themes of this conversation. She emphasizes the value of learning to be present, something that is much easier said than done, and yet it becomes very possible when talks about it.

Here’s more about Carolyn:

Carolyn Swinton is an Executive Coach and consultant drawing on her 30+ years’ experience as a C- suite executive. Guidance is often needed to unleash the power and potential that lies within us all. Carolyn’s purpose is to guide and support individuals and organizations in their journeys to achieve their full potential and live their best lives. She utilizes the proven practices of traditional and directed coaching, powerful questions, reflective practices, and deep empathy to support a deepening self-awareness, effective communication, and the cultivation of meaningful relationships to help clients awaken to their truth. 

Carolyn has coached middle and senior leaders in the healthcare and business sectors and is the right fit for clients ready to deepen their self-awareness and master the tools they need to effectively communicate, resolve conflict, and achieve operational and cultural transformation. Most recently, she served as a Chief Nurse Executive for the largest healthcare system in South Carolina. In addition to her executive coaching, she also serves as Affiliate Faculty at the University of South Carolina College of Nursing, and Affiliate Clinical Associate Professor at the Clemson University School of Nursing. 

Carolyn has coached leaders utilizing the Leadership Circle 360 and Leadership Maturity Assessment Profiles as guides to support leaders in developing an understanding of themselves and others. Coaching in alignment with the principles of vertical development, Carolyn supports leaders in transforming their way of thinking, speaking and being to achieve sustainable change. 

Carolyn is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Fellow of the Riley Institute Diversity Leaders Fellowship Program, and an ANCC Board-Certified Nurse Executive. She is a certified Newfield Network Coach for Personal and Professional Mastery, International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach, Certified in Leadership Circle 360 and Manager Edition, My World View Practitioner for Adult Development, and is an Everything DiSC Certified Practitioner. Carolyn has a doctorate degree in Nurse Executive Leadership from the University of South Carolina College of Nursing.

Carolyn serves on the boards of several state and local nonprofit organizations whose mission is to support the underserved and disadvantaged to gain social and financial stability. She is the author of “Chasing Hope- A Nurse’s Reflections on Healing and Hope,” “Reflections of Nursing” and co-editor of “The Untold Stories of Nursing.” For fun Carolyn likes to read, play the guitar, and travel.

I know you are going to love this episode with Carolyn Swinton.