In this episode, I interview Leadership Coach Petra Holic both about her early life experiences and her current work with individuals and teams.

Talking about her childhood and her inspirational mother, Petra describes how, as a young family, they twice attempted to leave Czechoslovakia during the socialist era, but were prevented from doing so on each occasion. Despite her mother being taken as a political prisoner, Petra and her sister defiantly held on to each other and their dreams of fleeing to another country, eventually emigrating with their mother to Canada after the Velvet Revolution.

Petra details her early months in Canada when, as a young student, she started school with no English language skills, but quickly adapted, learnt the language and began a successful working career, supported by the strength, determination and love of her mother and sister.

Now, Petra explains how she finds herself back in Slovakia, the country she calls home, and reflects on what it means to have lived through and experienced so many changes and positive challenges in her life.

Having worked for many years in and now with many large corporate companies, Petra talks about her own business, supporting individuals and teams as a leadership coach. Petra describes this role as a "partner in thinking", allowing her clients to reflect on what they want from their careers. This is true whether it is as a new, first-time manager, or an experienced executive, navigating their way through mid-career challenges and reflecting on their life purpose and achievements to date. Petra talks about the importance of being an interested but neutral participant in the process of helping clients to talk about their lives and careers. She helps people to make sense of what's happening to them as someone who is supportive, but impartial and independent.

Petra considers how it is very important to continually invest in her own career in order to be the best version of herself and the best coach she can possibly be with her clients. She also describes her non-profit activities supporting young people through her non-profit Educoach.sk https://www.educoach.sk/

Please contact Petra Holic and find out more about her work and career by visiting her LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petraholic/

The general aim of the #podcast series is to be entertaining for all listeners, as well as being educational, assisting upper-intermediate and advanced level English language students with additional listening practice. I've been told the podcasts are the perfect travelling companion for long car journeys, train rides and even for airplane adventures.

For more information on this podcast series, please review the full episode list on your chosen podcast platform or email [email protected]. Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ if you would like to be a guest on my programme or to view my work.

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