Career Coffee Chats

Grant Verhoeven is a career and leadership coach who has amassed over 2000 coaching conversations with clients. Describing himself as a ‘recovering door to door salesman’, he realised he found joy in helping others to identify their strengths and make career decisions. 

In this episode Grant explores the impact of the Great Resignation, sharing what challenges and opportunities people face in these changeable times. He also talks about the role of a coach, and why asking questions is key to a coach’s success.

Chat highlights:

• Grant explores the impact of The Great Resignation on employers
• He shares the top 5 mistakes people make in considering a career change
• He talks about the role of coaching and what makes it unique

Links and resources:

• Check out Grant’s website. 
• Follow Grant on LinkedIn.
• Read about the impact of The Great Resignation in Aotearoa.

PLUS, Grant shares his recommendation for great coffee too:

Havana Coffee - Wellington

Moumita Das Roy is a Cross-Industry Marketer with a story to share. After successfully working in marketing and advertising roles in India, a change in personal circumstances led her to travel the world before settling down in NZ. 

In this episode, Mo shares how her creativity led to a career driven by content creation. She talks about the challenges of re-starting a career in a new country, and gives tips on how to build your personal online brand. #WonderingMo

Chat highlights:

• Mo shares how her father’s passing inspired her to travel and to make the most of the opportunities around her. 
• She explores issues around diversity and inclusion, including the challenges migrants and people of colour may face in finding work.
• Mo shares how she built her personal brand on Linkedin through the creation of videos and sharing her volunteering stories. 

Links and resources:

• Connect with Mo and follow her on LinkedIn.
• View and watch her post “I am Professional.”
• View and watch her post “Did you meet my twin recently…”

PLUS, Mo shares her recommendation for great food and drinks:

Olaf’s Artisan Bakery Cafe, 1 Stokes Road, Mt Eden, Auckland

Jason Naylor is an award-winning artist, designer, and creative director based in Brooklyn, New York. He is known for creating large colorful murals featuring empowering statements and vibrant symbols. His creations have found partnership with a range of brands, including Coach, Pepsi, Guess, XBOX and Maybelline.

In this episode, Jason shares how he intentionally creates art that is positive and hopeful. He talks about how he built up his career confidence, and discusses his recent work, including writing a book and creating NFTs.

Chat highlights:

• Jason talks about his transition from company employee, to forging his own path as an acclaimed artist and business owner.
• He shares insights into his creations, including large scale murals, digital designs, merchandise, to publishing a book. 
• Jason talks about how his optimism informs his approach to creating art.

Links and resources:

• Check out Jason’s online store and website.
• Follow Jason on Instagram.
• Watch this video interview featuring Jason (source: Distract TV).

PLUS, Jason shares recommendations for great food and drinks in Brooklyn, New York too:

Sea Wolf Restaurant

Danny’s Pizza

Louise Chan is the Associate Director of Nursing for the Mental Health, Addictions and Intellectual Disability services (MHAIDS) covering Capital and Coast DHB, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa. With a passion for development, Louise aspires to enhance the experiences of nurses.

In this episode, Louise shares how volunteering and charity work shaped her values, she discusses the challenges and opportunities to support nurses in the current context, and she provides suggestions for improving the wellbeing and career development of the workforce.

Chat highlights:

• Louise talks about her early volunteering experiences in the UK and how this motivated her to advocate for others
• She describes how her role is focussed on developing and growing the capabilities of mental health nurses and other health professionals
• She shares different strategies for supporting the wellbeing of staff

Links and resources:

• Follow Louise on LinkedIn.
• Find out more about nursing in New Zealand - Occupation Outlook

PLUS, Louise shares her recommendations for great food and drink throughout Aotearoa:

Casita Miro - Waiheke Island

Cafe Brie - Palmerston North

Fidel’s Cafe - Wellington

Black Betty Cafe - Christchurch

Meccasepresso - Invercargill

The Auction House Cafe and Bar - Invercargill

Who says you can’t love Mondays? Jess Stuart is a coach, author, international speaker and former senior HR Professional who draws upon her experiences to help people to reach their potential.

In this episode, Jess shares how ‘work is a part of life’ and how we can thrive both at home and at work. She talks about burnout and gives tips for how we can grow resilience during challenging times. She also talks about her book ‘I Love Mondays’, providing practical guidance on how to beat the Monday blues.

Chat highlights:

• Jess talks about how experience of burnout led her to re-evaluate her career direction
• She shares the idea of ‘slowing down to speed up’, in order to be healthier and more productive at work
• She also talks about her book ‘I Love Mondays’ and how she drew upon her own, and others experiences to provide practical tips for finding joy in your career

Links and resources:

• Follow Jess on LinkedIn
• Check out her fantastic website
• Get yourself a copy of I Love Mondays

PLUS, Jess shares her recommendation for a great place to find food and coffee in Wellington:

The Larder, Miramar

Neo Cafe & Eatery

Ombra Restaurant

Devoreaux Walton is a Global Diversity and Inclusion Manager based in Dallas, Texas in the United States. In this episode Devoreaux draws upon her experiences and passion for helping others by sharing why the concept of Cultural Intelligence is so important in the modern workplace. She not only shares how it helps people to better understand each other, she also describes the ways in which employees and employers alike can build this increasingly important skill.

Chat highlights:

• Devoreaux introduces the concept of Cultural Intelligence and shares why it is important in the modern day workplace
• She shares how people can increase this skill through effective communication and listening skills
• She also talks about how Cultural Intelligence can enhance the relationships between people in remote and globally diverse work teams

Links and resources:

• Follow Devoreaux on LinkedIn.
• Article - Deloitte Review
• Article - Harvard Business Review
• Article - Forbes

PLUS, Devoreaux shares her recommendation for a great place to find food in Dallas, Texas: Chocolate Secrets

Having grown up in South Auckland, living overseas and working in different industries, Adrian Coysh understands the benefits of embracing diversity.

In this episode, Adrian shares how his personal experiences with the disabled community led him to advocate for fairer practices in the workplace. He also talks about why he created ‘Drink my Coffee’, a social enterprise that creates employment opportunities for disabled New Zealanders.  

Chat highlights:

• Adrian talks about how his upbringing in South Auckland and how this shaped his passion for diversity
• Drawing upon personal experience, he shares why and how it is important to support disabled people into work
• Adrian shares the successes of ‘Drink my Coffee’ and how it provides disabled people an opportunity to grow their skills and work experiences 

Links and resources:

• Follow Adrian on LinkedIn.
• Show your support and buy coffee from the Drink my Coffee website.
• Watch the video introduction about Drink my Coffee.

PLUS, Adrian shares her recommendation a great restaurant experience too: Jervois Steak House, Ponsonby, Auckland

Coffee has been a strong influence in Sean Yew’s young career so far. After training as a Barista in Malaysia, he moved to NZ 3 years ago, gaining experience in Auckland’s vibrant cafe scene.

In this episode, Sean talks about the art of coffee making, and what makes New Zealand’s coffee culture so unique. He also talks about how he expresses his creativity through Latte Art, writing articles for the Perfect Daily Grind website, and studying animation.

Links and resources:

• Follow Sean and his amazing latte art on Instagram: sean_theheartybarista

• Check out his articles on Perfect Daily Grind.

• Try the Tasting Tray, Chemex or Aeropress blends at Atomic Cafe (Sean works on the weekends!).

PLUS, Sean shares his recommendation a great cafe experience too:  Atomic Cafe, 420c New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland

Manuia lou aso fānau. Today is the 21st of September and it’s my dad’s 70th birthday, but due to the current Lockdown in Auckland I am unable to see him in person. It also happens to be World Gratitude Day, so I wanted to take a small moment to say thank you to the most awesome man in my life.

Links and resources:

• Read my blog post from 2016 where I reflect on my dad turning 65.
• Read about my dad’s ‘retirement’ and how he’s embracing the new chapter of his life.
• Learn about World Gratitude Day.

Also, a big shout-out for Hollywood Bakery on 2/100 Pah Road, Royal Oak in Auckland - this is my dad’s favourite coffee and pie haunt!

Given New Zealand’s return into Lockdown, my thoughts are with job searchers and career explorers during this challenging time.  The purpose of this special episode is to feature my friends from the careers industry who will share useful career tips and advice.  

My first guest is David Sharples, a Vocational Consultant from Alpha Consultants who shares current job market insights, and also gives tips on how to perform well in online interviews. He will be followed by Cherie Perrow, a Careers Counsellor from KingsWay School who shares tips for parents and guardians on how to best support young people with their career development needs during lockdown. 

Chat highlights:

• David provides an update on the current job market 
• David shares advice on how to best conduct yourself during an online interview
• Cherie explores how parents/guardians can use the gift of ‘time’ to have career conversations with their children
• Cherie shares useful questions that can be used in these conversations

Links and resources:

• Follow David Sharples on LinkedIn.
• Follow Cherie Perrow on LinkedIn. 
• Learn about the Career Development Association of New Zealand (CDANZ).
• Find useful career resources on the Careers New Zealand website.